Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-06-23


of interesting boys and girls, teach
ers, parents and the public at large
in the wider use of industrial train
ing in the education of the youth of
Oregon. The purpose of this effort
is not only to stimulate interest in
industrial education, but particular
ly to relate the work of the public
schools more intimately to the real
interests of the various communities
and the state at large. Back of all
this is a perfectly defined purpose to
continue to foster the highest ideals
in education. We would emphasize
the utilitarian aspect of education in
order to extend the influence of it's
highest ideals.
We want our boys and girls to
learn not only in theory, but in fact,
not alone from the standpoint of
the idealist, but from the standpoint
of the one who tolls, that labor is en-
nobling. We want them to know
that the industries, the home and the
common neighborhood are designed
to enlist and reward the best intel
lect, the highest ideals and the full
strength of strong men and women.
The campaign made last year in
Oregon enlisted more interest on the
part of parents, patrons and the pub
lie than anything that has ever been
done in connection with our public
taken a new interest in school work
and education is enjoying better sup
port in every respect than it had
previously received. If the same re-
suits follow from the work of the
next few years it may safely be said
that work of greater significance has
never been done in Oregon.
The report of the superintendent
of public instruction for 1912 sum-
marizes the results of the first year s
work in the form of statistics. These
| show that S8 children's fairs were
held in various parts of the state;
that the value of prizes offered at
these fairs amounted to $4,000 and
that out of a total of 1875, 900 school
children in the state $4,000 were
exhibitors. No other state in the
union has done such work.
The results of the work done last
year and the experience of other
states seem to justify the methods
used in the past campaign; but a
word in explanation may help to give
better understanding of the reasons
for our methods. The contests are
held and prizes offered in order to
awaken the interest of our boys and
girls in work that, in the past, has
appeared to be too commonplace to
! justify any consideration. We take
this method of directing the attention
of our young people to the great op-
portunities which lie in the indus
tries, home making and community
improvement. The prizes and the
contests are only. means employed in
order to arouse interest and enthusi-
asm. Enthusiasm so kindled will re-
suit, ultimately, in effort inspired by
the joy of achievement only; and this
in time will lead to intelligent meth
DDS, increased production, greater in
comes and happier homes.
The state, by act of the last legis-
lature, has provided for the promo
ton and direction of the state cam
paign, by authorizing the state super
| intendent to employ two assistants
who shall devote their energies to
supervising industrial work in the
schools. Last year this work was
! financed by private subscription.
While it is proper that such support
should be given by the state, it would
be misfortune if it resulted in quail
flying the interest taken in the work
by private individuals.
If the work is to be successful this
year it will require the fullest CO.
operation on the part of superinten-
dents, teachers, parents, improve
ment organizations, business men,
farmers-in short, of everyone who
is in sympathy with training our boys
and girls for the highest type of citi-
zenship. 1t is too big a task for our
young people to carry alone, or for
the teachers to assume unaided We
beg for the children the help of the
people of the state. Prizes are need
ed to encourage the young people;
the overburdened teacher needs a
helping hand in carrying out this new
work; advice, information, i2struc-
ton, support, active help is needed
at every turn if the work is to be
successful
A Word to the Boys and GIRLS.
The work done last year by Ore
gon boys and girls has attracted the
attention of educators and thinking
people throughout the United States.