The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-09-11
MUST TRAIN MEN.
United States Needs Technically Edu-
Gated Workers.

Gated workers.
Closely in line with the war depart
ment's recommendation to make the
draft ages IS to 45, with provision for
training Of the younger men, is the re.
port Of Secretary Lanes special com
mittee on higher education and industry,
just made public, wherein the nations
need for technically trained men is de.
fined and specific higher education pro-
gram urged.
The committee, which consisted Of
Fuller e. Galloway, finaaGier of La
Grange, Ca, Samuel NJ. FELTON,, director
general of military railways for the war
department, and President y. A. Alder
man Of the University of Virginia, seeks
to show how essential it is, If the gov
ernment's farreaching military plans
are TO be carried out successfully, that
the processes of higher education be
maintained at the highest possible eff
cheney especially those having to do
with the future supply of men and won
en- trained in scientific and technical sub
jects, including teachers In these fields
Impossible to Exaggerate Importance.
That 1t is impossible to exaggerate the
Importance of engineering knowledge and
skill In the broadcast sense, is the judg-
ment, of Secretary Lanes committee, not
only directly in the conduct of military
operations, but Indirectly in the essen
tial war industries, including agricul-
ture. The report says:
"The engineering problems confronting
the United States are indefinitely great
er than those Of any other OF the great
nations. For an average distance Of
more than $500 miles, across the CONT
nents and the seas, we must transport
all Of the men, munitions, and supplies
which are to represent us in this great
struggle.
Furthermore, the central powers pre-.
pared themselves fer this conflict over
long period Of years, and by this means
determined its character TO their own
advantage in large measure The loss by
our allies Of men Of highly specialized
training In the early stages OF the war,
and the difficulties in the way Of re-
covery, leave this nation in the position
Of trustee of the only remaining sources
of supply
War Tasks Call for Expanded Effort.
Pointing out how the war department
has already taken steps, through the
establishment Of the student army train
ing corps, to utilize the higher educa
tional institutions in training young
men under 81, Secretary Lanes commit
tee makes the following recommends.
tions:
"The people Of the United States
should recognize that the naintenance
Of the war strength of the nation in its
full power demands the utmost efforts
OF an existing well organized and ade-
quately equipped colleges, universities
and technical schools This means ever
increasing and more devoted bodies of
students as we'll as faculties
Young people having the requisite
qualifications should heed this urgent
call of their country, and apply them
selves diligently, enthusiastically, and
in increasing numbers 10 the task Of
preparing for the highest service Of
which they are capable. Wherever prac-
ticable, young men should at the same
time Join the students enlisted reserve
and prepare for military service, in or.
der to be ready for that call also when
it comes.
institutions Of higher education
should adjust their courses, so far as
possible, to immediate war needs and
To the demands which must inevitably
come with the establishment Of peace,
and should develop especially those sci.
entific and practicable branches Of study
which are essential to the winning Of
the war, to the development of our in
dustries and commerce, and to the ae-
complishment Of the tasks Of the civic
and political life Of the nation.
Educational institutions should use ev-
ery effort TO make the opportunities and
privileges of training for public service
accessible 70 ell suitably prepared men
and women Of college age. In the cases
OF many worthy young men and WON.
en- this will require some provision for
assistance in meeting payments for tut
ton and laboratory fees and other nee
essary expenses Of higher technical train.
ing"