The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-14
WANTS CHILDREN
TRAINED FOR LIFE
Frank w Duke Advocates
Radical Change i'll Virginia
School Methods
PRESENT PLAN A MISTAKE
" T. Dabney Discusses
Scarcity OF Certain Things
in Richmond

Abandonment OF Virginia's present
a mass, without regard TO their lndi-
vidual opportunities and individual
adaptabilities. and the substitution of
vocational schools, was advocated by
Frank W, Duke. superintendent of the
Virginia Mechanics Institute, in an
address before the Clay Ward Activeg
last night. MIR. Duke was heard with
close attention, and his remarks evil
IDENTIFY had their erect.
Beginning with the proposition that
the plan Of giving the daughter of
cultured home and the daughter of the
colored cook in the same home cduca-
ton along exactly the same lines Is
II mistake. Mr.. Duke advanced the
theory that 1t is more Il mistake to
handle children rs though they were
all east in the same mold, with the
same curriculum. the same books. the
same educational surroundings. U
Indicate Lcnnlngs.
lie said that up TO a certain age,
say. twelve years. the schools might
time the child has probably developed
Il bent for a certain kind of occupation.
or at least has demonstrated through
the turn taken In his studies that GER
tain lines. of human endeavor would
probably be adapted to his capa bilities
or his genius.
Then lie would have trade schools
established, in which he would place
tic children who show talent along the
lines of Industrial life Into these
schools he would put the young for
study between the ages when they have
completed the ground work of n COM
mon school education and the age. per
haps sixteen, at which they would be
accepted in industries as apprentices.
TRIMMING Ainchinists.
Supposing the establishment OF g
school by the State in Richmond for
the training of machlnists. Theirs
would be taught drawing. the neccs-
sary mcthematics, science along the
line Of metals, their use and possibil-
tiles. and some practical shop work.
The latter would be light. and would In
no sense be intended to replace to the
least extent the actual experience in
apprenticeship, so necessary for prep
aration.
by The time the youth becomes six
teen years old. Mr.. Duke thought. he
could. with the special knowledge thus
gained, go OIL with learning his trade
and become an efficient and competent
journeyman at the end OF his four
rather have the theoretical part con.
tinucd. II possible.
Continue 10 study.
Then comes the proposition. he said
OF the night school. which, he charac.
terized as the best we can do with o
poor proposition" When eight or ter
hours have been spent at earning o
living. two hours of night study arc
more than the average youth can nc.
complish without neglecting one or the
other lie thought, So, then, he would
nave the railroads agree that their ap-
prentlces should be given four hours
each week. without loss of pay to at
tend the technical school In the day
time. Then. with. say. four hours OF
night work a week, the young man
would. by the time he became a Jour
neyman, be able to do anything in
the shop-to I'LL forcman's place or
10 do any mans work
Parenthetically, Mr.. Duke called at
ten'ion 10 the fact that Virginia spends
pubic funds 20 educate physicians and
lawyers and teachers and farmers. HIT
practically nothing to make mechanics
~ depresses him, he said to see peonle
hock TO Cincinnati. because that civ