The Alaska daily empire., 1916-08-22
ARE 10 PUT ANOTHER GOOD
 MEASURE UIR.lIE INTO LAW
Intend to Present Vocational Education Bil which Has Been Increasing in Sentiment for Many Years and which Has Been Crystallizing- Is
 Ripe and Ready for Definite Action.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 15.-(Spec. iaD-The purpose of Congress to add still another constructive law to the string which stands to Che credit of the Democratic party now is apparent. The vocational educR- tional bHl. having recently passed the Senate. is to be pushed for ward in che House. and sent to the President for his approval prior to the adjournment of the present ses- sion.
 The plan had been to carry the bin over to next winter. but matters shaped themselves in the Senate SO as 10 permit roll call, and the Democrats were quick to embrace their opportunity Vocational edu- cation will be an interesting com panion picture for child labor and workmen's compensation. t,
 Sentiment in favor of comprehen- slve vocational education legislation has been crystalizing for good many years. The first bills were introduced years ago. before the Democrats came into control of the government; just as the tap roots Of the new federal reserve act lie far back in the investigations of the Aldrich currency commission.
 But public opinion was not at that time ready for definite action. The agitation was continued, and at last the time seems ripe for legisla- ton. Public opinion is pretty well agreed that the pending bin will work out satisfactorily and the eX- pectation is that the House will pass it without material amendment.
 Needless Waste of Youth
 Publlcists who have been adyo- eating this legislation have said for many years that there has been an inexcusablc waste of youth in the United States. The great majority of boys and girls leave school at 14 years or less. and go to work, and at least 2OOO.OOO of them are now on the pay rolls Of manufacturing, industrial and commercial plants as wage earners. At the time when they begin this work they are un- skilled and unfit for responsibility. million young persons are required each year Co maintain the ranks Of the American working population.
 There are 24.OOOOOO persons, IS years Of age and more, engaged in farming. mining. manufacturing. trade and transportation and mechan- ical pursuits in this country or the l425O.OOO engaged in manufao turing and mechanical pursuits. not per cent have had. or ct the pres ent time have. any chance to ob- tain adequate industrial training These figures are from the census bureau and are official.
 Representative Hughes of Georgia, chairman Of the House committee on education and one of the authors of the accepted vocational education al bul. puts the case even stronger than that.
 The bill as reported to both branch es of Congress and passed by the Senate provides:
 l. National grants to be given to the states for stimulating vocational education in agriculture and in the trades and industries.
 The term "agricultural education as used in the bill includes educa- ton for the farm home as well as for the farm itself. Home economies. as far as it relates to the farm home, is included in the grant for instruc- ton in agriculture.
 Ca)Eor the training of teachers of two forms:
 (b) For the paying of parts Of salaries of teachers, supervisors, and directors of agricultural subjects, and of teachers Of trade and industrial subjects.
 9. The grants to be given are in agricultural trade. industrial and home economies.
 Q. Appropriations are to be made to a federal board for making stud ies and investigations which are to be of use in vocational schools. These studies cover the subjects of agriculture and home economies, trades and industries. commerce and commercial processes and methods of teaching. and courses of study of such subjects.
 The schools to be aided in part by the federal government must be:
 1. Schools supported and con trolled by the public.
 9. The instruction in these schools must be less than college grade.
 Q. They should be designed to prepare boys and girls more than IA years of age for useful or profitable
 @a~ 1Nn