The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-07
METHODS AND RESULTS OF INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION VERY DIFFERENT FROM OLD
 CLASSICAL CONDITIONS" SAYS DR. TEACH
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE
WHERE are clever newspaper "faki
 who maintain that the best ne

HNHERE are clever newspaper "fakirs''
 who maintain that the best news
 - paper interview" is the ''impro . vised" one, meaning the purely imaginary interview written by the 'fnterviewer" who has not seen the -interview-ee" at all; but this, of course, is jocose.
 It is quite within the mark, however, to say that the best interview is the i'm prcmptu" one, certainly the most enjoy able one to the interviewer which was verified quite delightfully."- yesterday when dropped in at the Tutwiler to have a little talk with Dr. c. c. Thach, presi- dent of Auburn, and also president of the Alabama Educational association, which Is in convention in this city at present. When I walked away after a short chat with Dr. Thach it was with sense of rejuvenation on educational matters; this was gathered from the pleasant and de- cidedly optimistic atmosphere and the en- thusiasm which Dr. Thach infused into the subject; his tefk was like himseH- dignified and elegant; I had gone to hear his views on certain phases of education, and he gave them in stimulating, terse language; he talked little "feminism,' '' a little war, but the total effect was pro- , duced, less by the matter of his remarks, perhaps, than by the subtle air he has of fighting the good fight on many fields with splendid equipment of heart and mind
 As man of letters, as one of the most notable educators in the south, as an au- thority on social, moral and political conditions-all througr--Dr. Thach has thrown himself ahead of the crowd and led the way to bigger and brighter things in our fair state of Alabama.
 Now and again in the course of our talk I noted with interest the striking personality of this scholarly man--the prototype, it might be said, of Sir Philip Sidneys definition of a gentleman--"high erected thoughts, seated in the mind of courtesy for such Dr. Thach is to every one who has the pleasure of meet ing him, and it was with keen interest that I listened to him as he said:
 The meeting of the Alabama Educa- tlonal association in Birmingham today marks crucial and critical epoch in educational circles, the main issue of local taxation taking precedence above all others. Many other subjects will be un- der discussion but this is primal, for on 1t depends largely the future of educa- ton in this state, it's progress it's breadth and it's scope"
 One of the best laws passed by the last leglslature, said Superintendent Feagin, was that which made educa- tion compulsory, the consolidation of schools, the emp1oyement of skilled superintendents, and local taxation, which will come up November next to be voted on.
 My particular plan of work as you probably know-my hobby if you will is the industrial side of education; technical, vocational, or training, as you prefer to designate it
 You are not ultra modern enough to approve the Rockefeller plan of elim- mating grammar, history and the rest, are you?" I asked.
 T hope I am modern enough to say Yes to that question:" Dr. Thach said quickly. T believe in giving anything trial; the old style classical education to be sure was all very fine and good the scholar-the dilettante-the man of leisure-of course enjoyed wrapping the drapery of his couch about him and reveling in his books, novels, essays, literature-but come now, let us con- fess, wasn't that something of men, tai dissipation--an intellectual jag, as it were? Did it help the other man? nay, did it help the man himself? No. decidedly not; but those traditions of education are all very well in their