The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-09

has been a popular institution in Eng
land for a good number of years past,
having been first introduced by semi
religious bodies such as the Y. NJ. c.
a. 1t corresponds in some degrees to
the Chautaquas which are so well
known feature in America, but it is
more definite in its aim and probably
needs of those who find it hard 10
afford a holiday in the ordinary way.
The comparatively well-to-do people
who frequent Chautauquas as con-
Venient means of acquiring some mis-
cellaneous information and hearing
weIl-known speakers and politicians,
would find the summer school as es-
tablished over here very serious. All
of these schools have the definite pur-
pose of conveying instruction and in
formation or extending propaganda
on behalf of some specific organized
body. In most cases they have more
or less definitely religious signiti-
canoe.
That. of course, is not so in the case
of the cooperative schools. These
were first started seven years ago,
there being only one held in the first
year since that time they have been
growing steadily in numbers and i'm
portance. Their purpose is to instruct
the members in cooperative societies
in the practice of their movement ana
to stir them to enthusiasm in the
cause. at the same time lectures are
given in such subjects as industrial
history and general economics, which
enables the students to get a clear
grasp of the part played by the move
ment in the general economic struc-
ture of the country. Each course of
lectures lasts one week, two lectures
being given each day by persons APP
i g. l.. = \ IL,
tional committee of the Cooperative
union, which has general charge of all
the schools. 1t is usual for school
to run for two or sometimes three
weeks continuously. taking in sep
arate set of students each week; bot
certain number occasionally stay
for the whole period. as the lectures
are usually different each week. The
lectures occupy about three quarters
of an hour to an hour each. and after
each of them a period of about the
same length is allowed for discussion,
which is usually very Illuminating. 1t
is rule of the school that as far as
possible every student shall attend
each lecture The number present is
as a rule. from Is to 80, according 20
the accommodation available.
One of the essential things, in the
opinion of the promoters of the
schools. is that. all the students should
live for the week in the place where
the lectures are helu. For this pur-
pose a school is usually rented dur
ing the holiday season, but there is
frequently some difficulty in obtain
ing accomp odation. This is particu-
larly the case in Ireland, where sum
mer schools have only been held dur
ing the last two years. But at vari-
Gus places in England co-operatcrs
have acquired country estates aud
houses for use in social and educa-
tional ways and as convalescent homes
for their poorer members, and these
places serve as excellent centers for
the purpose.
The life at a summer school is OF
simple almost Spartan, character, out
very healthy and pleasant for the
hard-working people who for the most
part attend. The catering is done, as
rule. by the United Cooperative
Baking society. and the charge made
for board and lodging to each student
is about 50 per week. This includes
all the expenses of the school except
for the occasional trips to the sur
rounding countryside and places of IN
terest. which enliven the social side of
the week. The great majority of the
students are, of course, members OF
the cooperative enthusiastically