The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-08-08
PRESIDENT CRANE IN
EDUCATIONAL RECONSTRUC.
IION WORK FOR SOLDIERS


The following letter has been re-
ceived by the Independent from Presi-
dent A G. Crane:
S6 Haven Avenue, New York City,
~, July %, 1918.
The independents:
Yourselves and the people of Minot
may be interested in recent change
IN my summer plans. At the request
OF Dean Russell of Teachers College
! am dcvoting the remainder of my
leave of absence to assisting in the
Educational Reconstruction, work for
disabled soldiers. have visited three
of the hospitals in which this work
is already under way and 1t present
am stationed at the Walter Reed Gem
lrai Hospital, WASHINGTON. | am as
slstlng in the organization of faculty,
records and courses.
The work is exceedingly interesting
though yet in its infancy. The idea
is to give the men something to occupy
their hands and minds at the earliest
opportunity. The work thus starts
at the bedside and then carries on
into the shops. 1t has a wonderful
curative value, both because of the
exercise, the relief from monotony and
the hope which it brings for the fu-
ture. Each man is studied carefully
and work given him which will prob
ably best fit in to his future work.
Many can use this hospital period for
rapid Improvement in their vocations
both within and without the army ser
vice. Many occupations are taught
and all OF them in a practical, COM
merclal way. Telegraphy, typewrit-
ing, English, carpenter work, archi-
tectural and mechanical drawing, auto
repair and operation, cobbling, print
ing are some Of the popular vacations
already established.
When you realize that each hospi-
tai will have several thousand patients
and faculty instructor to every ten
or fifteen students you can see that
this becomes a splendid school which
the Surgeon Generals department is
operating. 1t will do much for the
Improvement of our men and carry
cheer to many whose disabilities cause
them to lose hope.
1t is valuable contributor to the
fighting strength of our armies be-
cause it hastens the return to full duty
Of many men thru the curative value
Of occupation. 1t also trains mechan-
les, typists, clerks, telegraphers, tele-
phone operators, welders and others
for limited service behind the fighting
front. Many men unfit for full duty
are still very useful in such limited
service
When the Surgeon General has done
all that can be done for man, unfit
for any military duty, he is discharg-
ed but is still given the opportunity to
continue his vocational education with
the help of the government under the
Federal Board for Vocational Educa-
ton. The latter board takes up the
work where the Surgeon Generals
agencies leave off.
l should like to tell you more of the
interesting teaching questions which
this limited, direct, personal instruc-
ton presents. 1t is always a person.
al, individual case with each soldier.
1t is question of doing the most for
him in the time allowed. School pre-
cedent has no voice in the matter but
must adapt its resources to the mans
needs. More adherence to such prin-
ciples might not hurt our regular pub
lie schools.
Very sincerely yours,
A. G. CRANE.