New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
Accomplish What in
America Is Done by
Voluntary Effort.
LACK OF GUIDANCE
IS CHIEF DEFECT
Work Of Mayors Committee on
Unemployment May Halt
for Need of Funds.
By HENRIETTA RODMAN.


OF the general school system N
Germany DR.. James Hsney ssysi
Elementary training is given 20 al
pupils between six and ten In the FOLK
schools. Those who can AFFORD the
higher fees 60 on 20 the secondary
schools, tho gymnasls. Those who
cannot afford the gymnssia stay in the
folk schools till they are fourteen.
They get the slements Of general
education.
Contrary 20 the impression held n
America, Germany offers very small
opportunity Tor the study Of eonstrus-
tive or manual work in the elementary
schools. For tho most part the Ger
man boy destined to be an artisan
learns the use Of tools In the trade 70
which he Is spprentioed Immediately
on leaving the elementary school
"Ons Of the eommonest sights in de
streets OF German city Is that of 9
group OF lads. each laden with draw
ing board and T square. These are
pupils Of the continuation schools bear
ing TO the classrooms ono OF the most
important sdjuncts 10 all German In
dustrial trsining-ths mechanical
drawing Git It's primary aim is to
furnish specialized instruction to the
graduate Of the elementary school,
from the fourteenth 70 the seventeenth
year.
80 much Is compulsory. More adj
vanced courses for journeymen and
master workmen are optional.
THE German continuation and Jour
neyman school system and our own
evening elementary and high schools
have certain elements In common. Both
aim at aiding the artisan, but the Ger
man system is obligatory and primarily
vocational, while tho American Is OPP
tional, and looks TO the scholastic ad-
vance of the pupil along lines which
particularly appeal to him. The Ger
man system aims 70 make a good artl-
san by law; the American, 20 make a
citizen educated through voluntary ef-
fort"
The chief defect OF the German sys-
tenn seems 10 me to be the lack OF
genuine vocational guidance. Even
more than IN our own rather haphaz-
ard school system. the boy or girl Of
professional ability Is allowed TO BIO
handicapped by poverty. A rational
educational and social system would
train for the arts and professions
young men and women with ability,
not those with > certain income.
From my point OF view. the most
important attempt TO develop efficiency
under our present social conditions has
been made by the Mayors Committee
on Unemployment Among Women,
which has established classes where
girls are taught what they would have
been taught in Germany while they
we're employed. Tho enormous sd-
vance lies in the fact that they are
allowed three dollars q week whilo they
are learning.
It would be vast DIT Of mothering
for the womens clubs 70 undertake
the task OF arousing tho community 70
a realization OF the fact that unem-
ployment might be lessened by giving
such scholarships 70 those who arc In
efficient while they are in training for
efficiency.
Similar scholarships for the gifted
which would enable them 20 develop
the exceptional skill OF which they are
capable would increase the wealth and
credit Of the community.
When a thousand women see this,
the state will see II. At present tho
work may have to be abandoned for
/ lack Of funds. Aid may be sent 20
Miss Agnes de Lima, $40 Fourth Ave-
/ nue..
Tomorrow evening, at s:i5, Superin-
tendent William Writ and Mrs. Alice
Barrows Fernandez will speak at the
Washington Irving High School on vo-
cational guidance through the Gary
system Of education.