Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-04-12

same condition 80 years ago, and has
practically solved the question. The
majority of her children were poor
and unable to continue in school after
4 12 or IA years of age. She realized
! that the power of the nation depended
upon the power or force of each indi-
vidual, and recognized that each indi-
viduaI must be developed to the high
/ est possible realization of his capaci-
/ ties. This realization is what led Ger
many to adopt the most practical
method of education. The system es-
tablished is one of compulsory Voca-
tional education. Every boy receives
a training on the line he expects to
follow There are what are termed
Industrial commercial and agricultu-
raj schools, the courses of each of
which embrace the instruction afford
ed by our primary schools. Those
who are too poor to attend the day
schools are obliged to attend the night
schools. In Germany vocational edu-
cation is not fad nor a fashionable
movement. It's utility has b cen prov
en- by years of experience and observa-
ton. Carefully prepared statistics
show that these schools for the prac-
tical training of boys have greatly fos-
tered the well-being of the commun-
ity In fact, they would, never have
succeeded at all if there had not been
a great, prepOnderance of evidence in
their favor, because in their establish
ment other and older methods had to
give way.
Vocational schools will come in this
country, and when they do hope the
good sense of the American people will
direct that the girls as well as the
boys shall share in the benefits of the
Statistics of our census
bureau show that over 100000 |
women in this country are earning
money away from home, and that this
number is steadily increasing. These
certainly need practical prep
lration for life's enforced work, fully !
as much as the men. No fair minded |
person will deny this statement. A
educational system would
not only assist boy or girl in choos-
ng life work. but would help them
o prepare for it.
If such an education were obligatory
here would soon be no demand for
lnskilled labor, and the parent would
,e compelled to keep the child in
chool until a degree Of proficiency
n vocation had been attained.
The supply of unskilled laborers who
mmigrate to this country would prac-
10 demand for them. No manufac-
urer would wish to employ unframed
help where skilled labor could be had.
because training enables the worker
o produce more and better quality,
nd even with the hihger wages would
educe rather than increase the cost
# production. This would not only
elp to solve the industrial problems
# today but would largely decrease
he number of occupants of our jails,
eform schools and almshouses.
The aim of Germany was not to
i've every man the whole of knowl-
dge, but to give each man the partic-
liar knowledge necessary to enable
i'm to do his special life's work, as
'ell as the general knowledge requir-
d to make him a good citizen. The
ractical end of education is not cuI-
ure. However, when we give to our
oys and girls an education that will
nable them to earn an honest living
y working a reasonable number of
ours, under conditions that are sani-
lry and wholesome, leaving them a
aw hours of rest, recreation and
eading, we will do much toward the
ulture and refinement Of the nation.
How can the women assist i'm the
of this? They can be
lstrumental in creating a public SEN
ment i'm favor of such an education
is not one strong person who accom-
fishes some wonderful result, but the
ombined efforts of many. The
rong wire cable, bearing the weight
tons would snap and break il il
ere one large wire depending upon
3 own strength, but it is the united
rength of the many small wires.
lch bearing its share of the burden.
lat makes the combination so pow
full.
This modification of our school sys-
m is being gradually accomplished
II it remains for the united efforts of
e women of our land to so shape the
ovement as to include the girls. an
creasingly large proportion Of whom
ust earn their own living in the Of
.e, factory or store.
can see in this movement i'm favor
vocational education, II impartially
'orded girls as well as boys. a practi-
amelioratlon Of bad labor condi-
ms for women. In preparing the
y or girl TO be a more apt account
{, a more sknlful artisan or
eater adept as a horticulturist. either
which courses in vocational
lool would include some simple