The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-23
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.

| In this whole country, according t.
investigations made by the commiss1on
ON national aid to vocational education
there are fewer trade schools than ex-
| ist in the now unfortunate little Ger
man kingdom Of Bavaria, with popu-
lation but little greater than that OF
New York city. Until the outbreak OF
the European war more workers were
being trained at public expense in the
| city OF Munich than in all the larger
cities OF the United States put together
although these American cities include
Il population of II, 600.
| In a democratic country the educa-
ton Of its citizens is one of the most
important functions of the state.
worker who is not trained to work Is
not educated Neither is he educated
| il he IL trained only to work The
state alone can give him the broadest
training possible in the given time and
| without sacrificing the training for his
| job. is the belief OF the National So
ciety for the Promotion Of Industrial
Education.
FROM every side comes the insistent
demand that this education be given.
1t comes from the labor unions and
from the manufacturers associations.
from the social worker. from the I'M
trained man who wants his son to get
a chance he never had. and from the
unframed woman who wants her
daughter to develop far beyond her
self.
This increased demand for trained
workers makes an irresistible appeal
for vocational training. The European
war and its disastrous results will be
certain to emphasize this situation.
says C. A. Prosser. secretary of the
National Society for the Promotion Of
Industrial Education, which is to hold
its eighth annual convention in the city
of Richmond, Va. December to IL.
This national society with the long
name has been the leader in this coun-
try in the movement for Industrial
education. In the belief that the So
ciety must work in the most practical
manner possible In aiding the country
to meet these demands which the war
will make upon us. it has planned Il
convention unique in the history Of
such gatherings.
Since last May, the society has been
conducting an industrial and educa-
tional survey OF Richmond; the find
ings Of which are to serve as a basis
for a large part OF the discussion at
the coming meeting, thus bringing to
focus on Richmond's problem the wild
est possible cooperative judgment and
advice in determining those forms of
vocational education which will be best
suited to its needs. In addition to the
school study, the survey included anal
Uses OF 108 occupations in the metal,
printing, building and tobacco indus
tries. which together with the depart
ment stores employ over 10000 workers.
DIR. j. A. C. Chandler, superintendent
of schools in Richmond. Va. who was
largely responsible for having the sur
vey made, says: "Out Of the findings
of this survey and the recommendations
which will come as a result of the
meeting OF the national Socfety, Rich
mond expects to develop q program of
practical education which it will take
several years to completely work out"
According to William c. Redfieid.
secretary of commerce, who is also
president of the National Society for
the Promotion of Industrial Education.
the danger of poor Industrial education
is a serious one; not only to worker
and manufacturer. but to every citizen.
Our national prosperity depends largely
on the right solution Of this question.