New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-08

low that New York City schools may
soon be graduating pupils whose eyes
and brains have been specifically d.
rected to ii few chosen trades or voca-
tions. which they will likely enter AMI
overflow. Such a condition is possible,
if not probable. The evidences Of tins
likely trade congestion may be seen ~
every school where vocational training
is being established, for the work
centres around costly machinery plants
and those particular trades only
which are related 20 sucn plants.
Ii is apparent that the conception OF
vocational education in It's first and
embryonic stage must be accompanied
by the spectacular whir Of machinery,
the tapping Of belts, the buzz Of the
circular saw and all of the other noises
that 90 to make up the amateur idea
OF a factory and its workings.
How long could any city, no matter
how wealthy stand the cost Of ne IN
stallation OF such plants? What viii be
the annual cost OF educating cnlld
with such an equipment? Is 10 possible,
or is it desirable to try to utilize child
labor to make a few articles which may
be used in the school system, on the
plea Of reducing costs, or of emphasiz-
ing the utilitarian possibilities Of this
form of education?
Vocational education is without doubt
Of great value. but ii is a question
whether or not it is wise to uniyersalize
il in our public schools; rather should
/ il be conducted in specially organized
trade schools. and limited to the use
Of such implements and TO such tools
as are common to all handicraftsmen.
thus leaving the matter OF acquiring
knowledge of handling large and cx-
pensive machine tools TO the time when
, ,he boy and girl enter the factory or
the shop. and take their places at the
foot Of the ladder Of industry.
The plans Of Superintendent Writ, Of
Gary, Ind, and Of Dean Schneider, Of
Cincinnati. may not exhibit defects
when applied in little place like Gary,
Ind There is surely some merit IN that
part Of the scheme which c0ntemplates
the greater use Of the school buildings
| and the housing OF larger school pop
ulation than is done under present con-
ditions, but this is not new by any
means. Various propositions Of a SINH
lar nature have been put forward and
worked out from time TO time.
The City of New York will do well
to proceed carefully in the matter Of
the establishment of vocational educa-
ton along wholesale lines, not merely
because Of the expense, but also for
the reason that il the scheme were car
ried out TO its logical end, It must be
clear that such a plan would occasion
disturbing conditions in the several
trades which have been singled out for
experiment
IL might be advisable for the Board
of Superintendents TO make study OF
the United States trade census figures,
and then compare the number OF voca-
tions therein found with those includ-
ed in their proposed scheme Of yoca-
tional training. The results would be
interesting, not only 20 educators, but
also TO the taxpayers who pay the bills.
The course OF study in the public
schools is now fairly comprehensive.
Pantagrueps celebrated course of study.
as set forth in the letter of Gargantua,
his father, was also fairly comprehen-
sive The letter reads as follows:
81 intend and insist that you learn
all languages perfectly; first of all.
Greek, in Quintilian's method; then
Latin, then Hebrew, then Arabic and
Chaldee. | wish you 10 form your style
of Greek on the model of Plato and of
Latin on that of Cicero. Let there be
no history you have not al your fingers
ends, and study thoroughly cosmogra-
ply and geography. Of liberal arts,
such as geometry, mathematics and
music, | gave you taste when not
above five years old, and | would have
you now master them fully Study as
tronomy, but not divination and judi
cial astrology. which | consider mere
vanitioc. As for civil law, would have
thee know the digests by heart. You
should also have a perfect knowledge
of the separate works of literature, so
that there is no sea, river or smallest
stream which you do not know for
what fish il is noted whence it pro-
ceeds. and whittier it directs its course;