The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-24
TRAINED MEN NEEDED
: IN NATIONS INDUSTRY
Demands Of War Activities Emphasize
Importance of Young Men OBJ
tanning Education.
GREAT PROBLEMS AWAIT THEM
President Alderman. of University of
Virginia, Joins i'm Call for Coop
Grafton of Colleges with the Gov
eminent.

! Closely in line with the war depart
draft ages eighteen to forty-five. with
J provision for training OF the younger
men. is the report Of Secretary Lane 8
special committee on higher educa
tion and industry, just made public,
wherein the nations need for techni-
cally trained men is defined and q spe-
cifc higher education program urged.
The committee which consisted Of
FULLER f. Galloway, a flnancier OF La
Grange. Ga. Samuel NJ. FELTON,. di-
rector general of military railways for
the war department. and President Z
4. Alderman, OF the University Of Viz
Einoa seeks TO show how essential it
is if. the governments far-reaching
military plans are to be carried out
successfully, that the processes of
higher education be maintained at the
highest possible efticiency--espeeiall
those having 70 do with the future sup
ply Of men and women trained in
scientific and technical subjects, in
Guiding teachers in these fields.
Impossible to Exaggerate.
That ii Is impossible to exagEerate
the importance of engineering knowl-
is the judgment of Secretary Lanes
committee, not only directly in the
conduct of military operations. but in
directly in the essential war indus
tries. including agriculture. The re-
port says
THE engineering problems confront
ing the United States are indefinitely
greater than those of any other OF
the great nations For an average dis
Itance of more than $500 miles. across
the continents and the seas. we must
transport all of the men, munitions
land supplies which are to represent
us in this great struggle,
Furthermore, the central powers
prepared themselves for this conflict
over 4 long period of years, and by
this means determined its character
Ito their own advantage in large meas
ure. The loss by our allies of men
OF highly specialized training IN lite
.early stages Of the war. and the diff
ficulties in the way of recovery. leave
.of the only remaining sources Of sup
ply"
War Tasks Cali for Effort
Pointing out how the war depart
ment has already taken steps. through
the esta blishment OF the student army
training corps, to utilize the higher
educational institutions in training
young men under twenty one, Secre-
tary Lanes committee makes The fol-
lowing recommendations
The people of The United States
shoula recognize that the mainten-
anee Of the var strength OF tie ma
ton in its full power demands the
NJ a kfTnT1a Of a
sanized and adequately equipped col
! leges, universities and technical
schools. This means ever increasin z
and more devoted bodies of students
as well as faculties
Young people having the requisite
qualifications should heed this urgent
call of their country. and appiy them
selves diligently, entnus4astiCaliv and
in increasing mum bers 10 the task OF
pre- pairing for the highest service of
which they are capabt- Whenever
practicable, young mer should al The
same time JON the Students enIistei
reserve and prepare for military SER
vice, in order to be ready for that
call also when il comes
Institutions OF higher education
should adjust their oourscS, 50 IA. as
TcsSible, to immediate wa needs and
TO the demands which must inevita bly,
come with the establishment of peace.
and should develop especially those
scientlf1c and practicable branches of
study which are essential to the win
ming Of the war, 10 the development
Iof our industries and commerce, and
ITO the accomplishment OF the tasks of
the civic and political life OF the ma
tion
Educational institutions sborl5
use every effort to make the opportu-
mites and privileges OF training for
pubic service accessible TO all suit
ABLY prepared men and women of COL
lege age. In the cases of many worthy
young men and women this will re-
quire some provision for assistance in
meeting payments for tuition and lab
.oratory fees and other necessary ex-
penses of higher technical training y