The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-20
Germany's Solution

l What Is the remedy? Germany and other foreign countries seem to have solved the problem. It is vocational edu-
 cation. The amazing progress made ir Germany since the Franco-P -Prussan war along industrial lines has attracted the attention of this, as we'll as that of Great Britain and other countries. "1n a recent report on Germany's indus- trial progressiveness, MT. Baker North, president of the British Association of Technical Institutions. says 'Germany has developed a scheme of practical edu- cation of the masses which provides her industries with an army of well trained | workers
 "The results summarized from Daw- sons Evolution of Modern Germany
 Since 1882. those employed in industry and mining increased 2S.5 per cent Those engaged in transportation and trade 4S9 per cent.
 'rhe coal industry has increased 600 per cent.
 "The production of pig iron increased from one-half million tons to twelve mill lion tons.
 "Four-fifths of the dyes used in the world are now made in Germany. "They have 425 sugar factories. Their chemists, in 9 years, have more than doubled the saccharine in the sugar beet
 with 50 fewer blast furnaces than England. Germany is producing annually 100000 tons more of pig iron.
 And so on, in all branches of her in- dustries. the alliance between science and practice is intimate, waste is eliminated by produce utilized in some way
 'The lllinoi Csntral railroad, appreciat- ing all these things. has undertaken to assist in changing such conditions. You are all more or less familiar with the bureau of education, which may be made a stepping stone for any ambitious young man who desires to advance himself in any department.
 Training Shop Apprentices
 An evolution of this work is in the theoretical training of shop apprentie 's, working in conjunction with the mechan- ical department, who are furnishing the practical part of the training. We all know that this must be learned under the master-it Is still the only way to acquire trade. We are not so sure, however that the pedagogue is not tho one to impart the technical knowledge. in fact from the experience of others, 1t
 is conclusive that knowledge of this char acted should be imparted by those spe- cially trained in this work.
 The Illinois Central railroad is there fore employing the educational bureau, in conjunction with the shop demonstra- tor and master workmen, to perfect the education of its future apprentices.
 Arrangements are being made with the public schools in some of the im- portant towns where we have shops to employ suitable scholars from the high schools as apprentices. the student at tending school one day and working in the shops the following day. and during the vacation. This offers to the son of the merchant, the professional man or
 the laborer an opportunity to learn a trade and at thN er time complete his high school education. H' The plan with enthusiastic | indorsement from school boards of two | such towns, and the arrangements arc being perfected. Others will be given an opportunity, and there is no doubt but what it will be eagerly embraced every where as soon as 1t is thoroughly under stood.
 There has been prepared and will he sntroduced into the next legislature of the
 state of Illinois a bill authorizing vaca- tiondl schools.
 "The public schools of Cincinnati have already adopted this method of educa- tion, from whence it is spreading throughout Ohio. The Illinois Central is the first railroad to adopt the method and its influence will undoubtedly be a
 Strong factor in pushing it along.'