The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-04-10
towards the industrial workers more
fully carried out.
Mrs. Mary D. Bradford, Superintendent
of Schools.

OF SCHOOLS.
Upon reaching Kehosla IN the morn
ing the writer was directed ey Mr..
Barden Of the Barden Store Company
to Mrs. Mary D. Bradford, the superin-
l2tendent of schools and the president of
the state organization of teachers as
sociations. Kenosha is indeed fortunate
in having SO capable woman at the
head of its educational departments.
Mrs. Bradford is not only a highly cul-
tured woman but she is well equipped
for the practical work involved in di-
recting the educational affairs of the
city. Mrs. Bradford is intensely inter
ested in the continuation school system
of Kenosha, for she feels that the
schools will not only equip the coming
generation of children with an indus
trial education which will make life
easier for them but she looks at the
question from humanitarian stand
point and speaks with pride of the i'm
proved conditions which are already
apparent in the everyday life of the
children who are attending the con-
tinuation schools.
Bright Girls From Hosiery Factories.
Mrs. Bradford directed the writer to
Miss Hahn, of the continuation school,
which is held ON the top floor of the
Frank school. The sewing and cooking
classes are held six days in the week
from i to 6. Twenty-Five girls is the
average number in attendance each day.
The class on this day was composed of
bright, neat-looking girls, who were
mostly employed at the hosiery factory.
They appeared deeply inte- ested in
their work, and were busily engaged in
planning, cutting and sewing, by hand
or on the machine, on dresses, waists,
and undermuslins. The girls are obliged
to furnish their own materials, the
school providing thread, needles, scis-
sors, etc. There has not been an in
stance where the student has failed to
bring materials, and they always do so
with willingness.
Neatly made dresses, both wool and
cotton, waists and undermuslins and
even beautifully made and tied COM
forters were shown with much pride by
the pupils as the fruits of their efforts.
Miss Hahn stated that the children in
many instances attend the school with
out solicitation, and the majority of the
girls are sorry when their sixteenth
birthday arrives and they are deprived
of the privilege of attending the school.
Girls Instructed in Various Subjects.
Miss Hahn not only instructs the girls
in sewing and cooking but she also talks
to them on hygiene and on all subjects
pertaining to womanhood which girl
should know. A new and higher phase
of life is opened to these girls who, in
many instances, have been brought UP
amidst surroundings not of the most
elevating character. Their thoughts are
being directed in the right channels by
capable and practical instructors who
ook at the question from humanitarian
point OF view, and grasp every oppor-
tunity to improve conditions in the
everyday life of the child They are
taught economy in the use of materials
and in buying, and are taken to the re-
tail stores and are shown the different
values and the kinds of goods which
would be the most suitable for them
to use for their purposes. They are
talked to regarding materials and
widths, trimmings, and the most de-
sirable way of designing the dress,
waist or undermuslin. The fundamental
principles of dressmaking are instilled
thoroughly into their minds, and upon
leaving the school they should be capa-
BILE of taking up dressmaking as their
vocation if they SO desire.
Merchants Should be Interested.
The continuation school system is an
educational feature which retail mer-
chants should be deeply interested in,
as there is no question that it will ma
terially help them in various ways. In
directly it will help him because of the
Improvement it is bound to effect in the
conditions of the less fortunate ones of
this world, and the consequent benefit
to the community. Social and economic
progress all has a vital relation to
trade, for it creates a demand for bet
ter things, and the consumption of more
and better merchandise.
Directly the continuation schools
should help the merchants by creating
a demand for materials of various kinds
which the girls, their relatives, and
friends will desire for dressmaking
Many of the students who are attend
ing the continuation schools expect to
60 into the dressmaking business, and
this will directly increase the use Of
fabrics.
The merchants of Kenosha express
the opinion that the continuation
! SchonlS will oyantua11v Stimulo+o +bo