Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-11
Training the COunrry'S Workers.

national Senate last week and will pass the House
in December if not before the end of the present
session marks a long stride in American efficiency
! Once fairly applied the measure will widen the
opportunity and increase the earning capacity of
unnumbered individuals and will add intellectually
to the nations productive resources.
The great majority of American boys and girls
leave school the of fourteen or earlier
TO enter the busy field of bread-winners. 1t is
estimated that at least two million between the
ages of fourteen and sixteen working Tor
wages and of these the rank and file are unskilled
if not incompetent for responsible tasks. One
million youths are needed each year to recruit the
great army of the country's working population.
Farming, mining, manufacturing, transportation
and allied pursuits enlist twentyfour million
persons of eighteen years and Authorities
say that of the fourteen and quarter million
engaged in manufacturing and mechanical trades
mot one per cent have had, at the present time
have, any chance to obtain adequate industrial
training"
Evidently then, the need of vocational instruc-
ton is urgent and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES that
will reach not only the fortunate few who can
attend the advanced schools of technology and
commercial agriculture, but also the millions of
young people who must labor for a living, and the
millions of adults who wish to increase their
efficiency. The bill which recently passed the Sen
and is certain to pass the House deals broadly
with these needs by providing federal AID TOT three
types of schools:
First-All-day schools in which practically
half the time shall be given to actual practice
for a vocation on useful productive basis.
Second-Part-time schools for young
workers over fourteen years of age, which
shall extend their vocational knowledge,
give preparation for entrance to vocation,
or extend the general civic vocational in
telligence of the pupils.
Third-Evening schools to extend the
vocational knowledge of mature workers
over sixteen years of age.
The Boston Evening Transcript, from which
the foregoing summary is taken, adds that the
term agricultural education" used in the bill
includes education for the farm home well
for the farm itself. Thus home economies will
have important place in the new system.
Further: .
THE schools to be aided by the national
Government must: I'D Schools supported and
controlled by the public CD the instruction
given in them must be of less than College
grade; CD they shall be designed to prepare
BOYS and girls over fourteen years of age for
useful or profitable employment in agriculture,
in trades and industries and in home
economies"
Education of this character already has been
undertaken in some States; indeed in every pro-
gressive system of public schools the Importance
of vocational training is recognized Atlanta's
schools during the past two years have applied
this principle far their limited financial sup
port would allow; the teachers and the Board of
Education are ready to go great deal further
soon as the right sort of municipal management
makes the needful funds available The Techs
night school renders invaluable service to working
boys and men who wish to increase their voca-
tional efficiency. The Georgia Normal and Indus
trial College and the State College of Agriculture
together with the district agricultural schools,
admirable examples of higher institutions for
tonal training.
There is manifest need however, of encourage
ing and extending this field of education in order
that it may serve in larger measure the great rank
and file of American youths That is the purpose
and plan of the national bill. which will energize
and develop vocational training in the various
States through capable leadership we'll
financial aid The terms on which the States
secure federal assistance in this connection
we'll advised A State must meet certain practical
RESPONSIBILITIES and must demonstrate its earnest
ness in the matter if it is to share in the national
grant.
Georgia is peculiarly interested in the promised
system not only because of the widened Oppor-
tunities and quickened progress it will bring the
State but also because two Georgians-Senator
Hoke Smith and Congressman Dudley NJ. Hughes
have played the leading part in this constructive
legislation.
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