New-York tribune., 1915-02-27
Danger That Manufactur-
ers' Interests Be Put
Ahead of Children's.
DRILL ON MACHINES
is SOON USELESS
Understanding of Principles Inn
portant, Says Mrs. Barrows-
Fernandez.
By HENRIETTA RODMAN.

Mrs. Alice Bsrrows-Fernandez, d.
rector OF the Vocational Education
Survey, explained yesterday to num-
Der of women the problems OF voca-
tional training
There is no doubt that we shall have
great deal OF vocational training IN
the New York public schools" she
said: "but there is danger OF our get
ting the wrong kind.
There is that danger everywhere.
The same forces are at work IN INDUS
trial education that are a: work IN IN
dustry itself. One of these forces rep
resents the immediate interests OF EN-
p!oyers and disregsrds entirely the
general welfare Of the workers.
"In a city in New York State ma
chinery has been put into the public
schools and children are taught there
10 do lust what q certain group OF
manufacturers wants done. This IS the
kind of vocational training that they
have in Germany.
"Nen and women who have been
trained in this way are Of use TO manu-
fscturers for short time. Then con
ditions in the industry change. Inc
public wants something new, new ma
chimes are invented TO make the new
things, and the old workers are pushed
aside 10 make room for new group TO
run the new machines.
"But there s, also, democratic
movement in industrial education. Pro-
fessor John Dewey and Professor Fred
erick Bonser, Of Columbia University,
are among its leaders.
THE type of training which they
approve does no. disregard in any way
the interests Of employers, but it CON
siders especially the welfare OF the
workers. .,
"The boys and girls must be trained
not 10 eXpertness in single process
10 be left helpless when that process
changes. but they must De taught to un.
derstand machines, TO be masters OF
machines in Professor Glddlngss s
phrase. Then the changes which are
ineyitabe and desirable IN industry
will find the workers prepared; the old
workers will be ready for the new ma
chimes" -,
Must the schools be equipped with
all types of machines-isn't that I'M
possible ?" Mrs. Fernandez was asked.
at is aiso unnecessary" she repiled'
There are underlying processes IN the
different industries and there are fun-
damental likenesses in machines.
Eve have found by investigation that
five types of machines properly taught
will give an understanding OIL hfty-hlhe
types 49,,
should be taught" somebody asked.
"Bv investi CATION" replied Mrs. Fer
nandez. amy purchase OF machinery
for schools NAV be q waste of money
unless it has first been determined
what machines are most typical
As a former teacher Of English, l
protest against the use Of the phrase,
compulsory leave" The words are OBJ
viously contradictory and tend to OBJ.
scure the intention Of the Board OF
Education.
The fact is that the board has or.
dered any teacher who is guilty or
pregnancy TO be suspended for two
years, without pay:
The attention of the Board OF Edu-
cation is somewhat disrespectIully
called to the penal code OF the state
of New York
And the attention Of Anthony Com
stock is also disrespectfully called 10
Subdivision II of Section A of the by
laws of the Board of Education.
MADAM: No one is better able to
understand the suffering Of the poor
this winter than is the public school
teacher. who has to face wan, weak
children. wretchedly clad and ,pathetl-
cally unable to do the work which the
"Organized charity mas moved too
SLOWLY to meet this terrible need. The
Schools Relief Committee has helped
TO the limit of its resources; but there
is so much 10 be done!
"To raise funds TO continue our re-
lief work in New York, the life OF
Richard Wagner in moving. pictures
accompanied by his music, will be pre-
sented, beginning March s.
The dates and schools will be an
nounced later, but tickets good on any
date, at any school, may be secured
now at 10 cents for children and 20
cents for adults. , p.,;.,
please apply to the Schools Relief
Committee, 10 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn.