Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-03

to his job. If he is naturally an agri-
cultural laborer he must be educated to
realize his place In an agricultural COM
munty and must be prevented from MI
grating to the city where he might at
tempt to adapt himself to a job as an
iron-moulder or munitions inspector.
Economic experts claim that maladjust-
fnent of labor to industry ia a powerful
factor In causing poverty and a realiza-
ton of this fact is not a difficult position
for us to assume.
And finally, there Is the reform in the
system of economic distribution. 1t
means a coordination Of labor and pro-
duction. OF supply and demand, OF pro-
duction and distribution. 1r a word, IL
means the organization OF the world of
industry in accord with the ascertained
economic principles.
Out OF all this has arisen one predonl-
mating need-the necessity of an econ
omic education-an education that will
give the student a scientific basis for an
understanding Of this great evolution. an
education that will teach the fundamental
principles of economics, that will fit us
to solve the basal problems of our econ
omic society. Such an education profess
es to embody clear and distinct analysis
and study of the economic forces at play
In this evolution. It proposes to train
economic experts whose advice will be
sought in working out economic problems.
In the administration Of our political ma
chinery, in pointing out the way Of least
Resistance in solving problems of the
State and nation. It's ultimate goal is to
prepare for the practical management Of
the worlds business.
This, was the vision of John Heman
Converse. He caught but glimpse Of
this great economic transformation. to
be sure, but nevertheless. he saw it and
he felt 1t throughout his life.
II advocate" Mr.. Converse said, "a
business course as one of the various de-
partments of the university system. The
studies which the future man of affairs
should pursue would, most Of them, be
as broadly effective for mental culture and
equipment as any in the preliminary cur
iculum."
by business course he says, II do
not mean one qualifying for mere trade
and barter. l use the term as compre-
hending that wide conduct Of affairs in
voved in the varied pursuits of a prac-
teal age and country like our own"
He evidently had in mind merchandise
Ing, insurance, banking. importing and ex-
porting. manufactures. shipping and
transportation among other activities in
ness education should serve
This intense realization on the part OF
our worthy aumnus. eliminated in his
donation, in 1899, Of $4,000 for the estab-
lishment of a chair OF ecor omics and a
department OF commerce and economics
at the University of Vermont He was
guided somewhat by the success Of a
similar departedment known as the Whar-
ton school of finance Mt the University OF
Pennsylvania, and European precedent
had convinced him Of the great good de.
rived from the specialized economic IN.
struction in the foreign educational sys.
TENS. To familarize the American stu.
dent with the principles of business, the
economic forces, the industrial Organiza
tions the financial institutions that have
arisen out Of this great economic evolution
that, was the aim and goal of the com
mercial education as instituted at Yer
mont by John Heman Converse.
That was part of his vision. Its prac
ticability has been proven in this coun
try Yale, Harvard and Columbia nov
have their graduate schools of commerce
New York University has its school o
commerce and finance, Dartmouth it
Tuck school, Wisconsin its college o
commerce and administration, Illinois an
the University OF Chicago and others hav
all followed the pace set by the Wharton
school and by John Converse. Since 1871
almost every one Of our large cities ha
anaugurated in it's educational system a
least one commercial high school.
Yet, after all, this is but the beginnin
Of a Transformation whose limits 1t
impossible to foresee. 1t will involve tn
reconstruction OF international relations
the rewriting Of our political economy. tn
reimbursement of our financial systems. tn
remaking Of the machinery of commerc'
the binding together Of the productiv
peoples Of the globe in one vast worl
market, through a revised system of ir
tenational exchange. At the base OF th
| evolution, at its very root lies the PREF
aration which must be furnished by tn
school OF economics.
AS Mr.. Frank Vanderlip. perhaps II
worlds leading 1nancier and now pref
ident Of the National City Bank in Ne
York. has said. the doors of commerci
leadership will open to the students I
economics in our colleges and universitie
The economic evolution is gradually ar
slowly feeling its way into our huma
consciousness. The world OF commerce.
organization is calling. The college ar
universities must respond.
The second undergraduate speaker.
n. Ellis II, of Poultney. delivered an a
dres on Democracy, a Factor in Il
world War" Mr.. Ellis said in part:
DEMOCRACY, A FACTOR IN TIL
WORLD WAR.
Mr. Asauith, the British premier.
August 1914. in justification Of the ente
ing OF Great Britain in the world war to
the House Of Commons: I'VE are f1gf
ing to vindicate the principle that sm'
nationalities shall not be crushed in
nance Of international good faith, by I
arbitrary will Of strong and over-ma
tering power" Premier Viviani
France proclaims that 1.-The people a
resolved to dispose Of themselves in FRI
DOM" In even more precise terms Lilo
George defines the conflict as "a war
nationalities." No utterance could bett
characterize this gigantic struggle M
going on throughout all Europe
The military alliance of Germany r,
Key, and Austria ungary Is no artific
arrangement but 1t Is the natural and I
necessary expression Of the solidarity
the three European nations which ha
never granted nor desired to grant just
to conquered peoples No doubt one m
detect certain differences in tho rule
tablished by the three empires. That
Austria has been the least harsh; she
granted parliamentary institutions
many OF the nationalities within the
monarchy, and of the three divisi'
of Poland, Galicia has been the b
treated. Even Germany. in spite OF
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