The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-05-02
EDUCATIONAL.
aINK THESE THINGS OVER

the creation of dual system of edu
cation in any state. All acts appropiat-
ing money for the advancement of edu-
cation in the states should place the
administration in the hands of the
commissioners of education, or chief
school officers OF the various states. -
Resolution recently adopted by the
Department of Superintendent at At
lantic City.
The resolution above quoted was
applauded when read at the recent
national meeting of school superinten-
dents, and was passed unanimously. A
similar resolution was likewise ap-
plauded and passed unanimously by
national conference of educators held
at Washington the latter part OF
February.
There is no question as to the atti-
tude of educational leaders relative to
the danger that is involved in such
Legislation as the Smith Hughes law,
even under the most favorable working
conditions; but the aspect of it which
involves the possibility of dual system
of educational administration such as
we now have in Wisconsin fills all
right-minded school men with deep
concern. Whatever the good intentions
may have been on the part of those
who labored for the passage of the
Smith.Flughes law in Congress, and
those who voted for it, and of the legis-
| latures and state boards in the various
states, the fact remains that the moving
behind it all is the manufacturer,-not
all manufacturers but merely small
fraction of the total numb ber. The object
Is to get an abundance of cheap labor,
largely from boys and girls, who are to
be given little rule-of- thumb training
in the shops to make them more pro-
ductive. while working at low wages.
The plan is TO give this instruction
within the shops themselves and, so far
as possible, by men already employed
by the manufacturer in the capacity OF
foreman or something of the sort, the
instruction to be paid for by the city,
state and nation. This instruction is to
be narrowly vocational or industrial, is
to be largely superficial that is, i'm
mediately practical. 1t is further
more the plan, in so far as | am able
to learn, and as | believe, to compel
the local authorities and all state ofici-
ais to carry out the directions of the
national board to the letter, or falling
IN that. the state will not get the
national aid.
These are some Of the facts the pre-.
sent writer pointed out, when the legis-
lature was in session last winter and
at the same time he counseled caution
and such delay as would enable the
state to discover how much it would
have to pay for its whistle. But the
lobbyists, who by the way were steadily
on the job during the entire session of
the legislature, had already succeeded
ia creating mental state on the part
of some of our Legislators which was
perfectly impervious to reason. Most
members of the legislature who fell
for this sort of thing were no doubt
misinformed and that they were follow
ing a proper line OF procedure. One or
two of these lobbyists boasted before the
legislature met that they would create
mob psychology in the legislature
that would put this thing thru. They
declared that they would make every
prospective candidate for desirable
Office OF any sort think that his whole
salvation, now and hereafter, was
wrapped up in the success of this move.
ment to establish two sets of schools In
Wisconsin. They are reported to have
laughed over their success at the close
OF the legislature.
Every little while some interested
Individual bobs up TO inquire why The
school men do not cease their opposition
TO these plans, s,-plans of few manu-
facturers and such politicians as they
can inhuence-and let the matter take
its course. The answer is simple, plain
and inevitable. IL Is a matter OF con.
science, of principle. Rightminded
school men thruout the entire country
are interested In the welfare OF BOYS
and girls, rather than in furthering the
temporary interests OF manufacturers.
Consequently educators refuse TO accept
without vigorous protest a system that
will, no matter what the motives OF its
promoters may be, result In the exploit |
tstion OF boys and girls in the interests
OF industry; that has constant ten
dency TO develop class and caste; that
will in the nature OF the case develop
destructive tendencies in all types and
kinds OF education worthy OF the name.
Even vocational education has suffered |
grievously this year from the changes
that occurred and the work is simply |
wabbling around like spent top and
going merely from the momentum 1t |
had before the split occurred. The real |
forces back OF this movement, and here |
do not refer TO anybody living in the |
state of Wisconsin, are not In the least
interested In the type OF continuation |
Al n. l.. 4 L.