New-York tribune., 1914-11-29


last meeting Of the Board Of Educa-
tion. a meeting at which several mem
bers undertook TO heckle the president
Of the board, is an indication of the di-
rection in which the wind IS blow
ing.
Some time ago Mayor Mitchell. City
Chamberlain Bruere, President Church
in and q number Of invited guests,
among whom were sprlnklng o. su-
perintendents and other educators, made
a whirlwind swing around the circle, eN-
amining the various brands OF voea-
tional training, Of which there were
discovered 20 be many. School sys-
TENS were surveyed IN an hOur and
speeches by the hour we're made when
ever and wherever possible. The schoo.
system Of Gary, Ind, was given minute
and particular attention. The whole
outfit there was given fully an hour
and half Of the valuable time OF
these whirlwind educators.
To make these educational pienickers
comfortable and 70 contribute TO the
success Of the event the Board OF Estl-
mate and Apportionment contributed
some $500 as an expense account A
reporter, camera man and master
of ceremonies were carried along with
the party, and whenever they rode out
IN automobiles or whenever they eX-
pressed their views, either az public
dinners or from the rear OF the obSer-
walton car, their pictures and their
words Of wisdom we're Immediately dis
patched 70 wherever they would best
serve advertising purposes.
This rapid tour OF inspection was
voted & success. e.. by those VINO
participated and 1t Is the official basis
for the two $4,000 contracts 70 be
signed with Mr.. Writ, of Gary, Ind,
and with Mr.. Schneider. of Cincinnati
an investment made for the purpose OF
teaching the board of superlntendents
how 10 institute vocational education,
vocational guidance. pre-vocauonal ed
ucation. etc, etc, and OF inductng the
board Of superinterdentS into the myS-
teries and rsmificatlons OF the science
OF administering the school system 10
this benlghted community
Educational touring, personally con
Quoted or otherwise, is pleasuraole
custom; in fact, 10 has become almost
s habit with some people-provided the
necessary railway mileage and meal
tickets are available.
The original whirlwind tour IN the
interests of vocational education was
considered the most daring Of the kind
ever undertaken. Nothing has ever ap-
preached It IN size, IN magnincence or
In political Importance. 10 Will PROB
ably always be mentioned dlscreet!y,
when occasion requires, as part Oh lne
successful records OF some iuiuTe can
d.datcs for hlgh office.
in the same way in which the bold
Uhlans. heraluing the advancing Ter
I'd r-
tory, so uld the educational tourists OF
Lgl4 herald the coming Of Writ and
Schneider and the approach OF vOca-
t.oual culture. OF course, IN al cam
.a.gLs there ls always greater or
less number OF sklrWlshes by small
bodies of men. and frequently some OF
The important Strateglcal points are
decided IN lUst that way. And so lt
came 10 pass that the Hon. Frank ID.
Nllsey. chairman of the committee on
buildings OF the Board OF Eoucauon;
Charles B. j. Snyder. Superintendent OF
Buildings, and Associate Superlntend-
euts William A. NcAnIrew and Will
lam /. Etunger hIed themselves IN
modest style 20 Gary, Ind. 10 examine
into the practical side OF things and 10
compare the school buildings OF tnat
little village with those of the great
City Of New York. and 20 ascertain
what ls necessary TO be done physl-
cally ln order 20 prepare our buildings
Ion the Introduction of the new idea OF
Mr. Writ
The question OF cost should enter
into the matter Of desirab.hty of forms
of education. although there is q tend
ency, sometimes. 20 do things regard
less of cost. This little committee de-
parted on It's errand. with the bless
ing Of President Churchill, but IL omit
Ted 10 secure the consent Of the other
members Of the Board Of Education.
And now comes Miss Martha Lin
coin Draper, at last Wednesday
board meeting, who pOintedly called
attention 10 the omission and, seem
ingly, and almost unkindly, held PresI-
dent Churchill responsible for the
Western Journey. Miss Draper was
aided by DR.. Vile and by Mr.. John
Martin.
The incident was noteworthy, be
cause il savored Of a mild attempt
by the minority in the Board Of Edu-
cation TO cast of the yoke imposed
by the majority-an attempt Of rebel
lious character and sufficiently pungent
10 arouse the ire Of President Church
i'll. This attempt TO assert indepeno-
enCe was pIOUhu4g AiN4nD @ttN e""-
tive; the subject of the alleged wrong
was probably ill-chosen and insutt-
cient al q tort This attempt, however,
indicates a feeling of strength on the
part Of the minority, a feeling which
was not so apparent prior 10 the re
cent election and to the change IN
the complexion Of the Legislature.
Anent the inspection Of the school
plant at Gary, Ind, the public VIII
be glad TO have on record the re-
mort of the special committee, consist
ing of Chairman Wilsey, Building .Su-
perintendent Snyder and Associate
Superintendents McAndrew and Ettng-
Iespecially on the point OF the rela-
tive efficiency Of the Gary plant IN
comparison with that Of New York
Citv "a comparison taking into con-
sideration adaptability for educational
purposes. convenience, sanitation and
the question Of upkeep, which latter Is
understood TO be maintained by the
pupils themselves. The City OF
New York has, concedeoly, val
liable and fairly efficient plant,
and it appears to be almost uto-
rian TO believe that the univer-
sal introduction of vocational edu-
cation viii secure the upkeep and