Evening star., 1920-02-01

Just as at Annapolis are educated
and trained the future officers of the
Navy. those who
Training Courses actively command
ships, who plan
VI6aAAAeU' naval strategy,
pursue the science Of explosives, keep
the ships in repair. ETC.. even so there
try a nationwide course of training
for efficient service in foreign trade
that will make the American mer-
chant marine a marvel for the world.
Educational institutions. business
houses, important societies through
out the length and breadth of this
country. impelled by the realization
that foreign trade offers a tre-
mendously important opportunity for
the young men of the country, and
spurred on by the zeal of young men
to fit themselves properly for such
service, have organized courses Of
instruction, specializing on those
branches most essential in conduct
ing overseas business.
Now comes the United States bu-
reau of foreign and domestic COM
merce with a treatise on Training
for Foreign Trade" intended to be
a handbook guide for those or
ganizing such courses of instruction.
The importance of such training is
emphasized by Philip B. Kennedy.
director of the bureau. who says:
1.-The personal factor is the most
important factor in the extension of
our foreign trade. Unless
Personal the right kind of trained
r. young Americans can be
G"SsoA' sent abroad to represent
American business we cannot expect
to compete on equality with other
men available. Many large Ameri-
can institutions have recently found
the principal limitation to the rapid
to be the scarcity of trained men.
very encouraging feature in the pres
ent situation is that ambitious young
Americans are now more ready than
ever before to find career in the
foreign field. There should be no de-
lay in providing a scientific and prac-
tical training which will fit them for
the work to be done"
Owing to the sudden increase in
the importance Of Americas foreign
trade. a very wide interest is being
taken in 1t by many business men
courses of instruction, and the hand
book just issued by the federal bu-
reau should prove valuable to them
as a guide for their private reading
and research.
1t is a continuance of a co-opera-
tive plan to stimulate education and
vocational training for
Co-Operative foreign trade, in which
the Federal Board of
GnoeasoIS' Vocational Education,
the bureau of foreign and domestic
commerce and the United States Ship
good purpose that many educational
and commercial institutions have al
ready put earlier suggestions into
actual practice with success.
The courses outlined are available
for use not only in evening. part-time
and all-day classes. but 1t Is the hope
of the government establishments
that the commercial high schools. col
avail themselves of the material in
carrying out their own program OF
instruction.
Emphasis is laid by the Secretary
of Commerce upon one point, that the
department, the Federal Board for
Vocational Education or other in
terested government bodies are not
teaching Institutions: there Is no in
tention on the part OF tho govern
ment through any Of these agencies
to conduct classes either in residence
or by correspondence-alth this
has frequently been urged. Uncle Sam
is not going to furnish any teachers.
The function Of the government es-
tablishments. and OF this particular
publication. with respect to education
for foreign trade is limited to stimu-
lating interest in the subject. prepar-
ing outlines of courses. suggesting or
even preparing texts or other material
for study. and endeavoring to bring to
those interested In the subject all
the available experience of those en-
gagged in its study and practice.
The handbook was prepared by DR..
r. 8. MacElwee. formerly special
agent for COM
DR.. r. S. MacElwee's mercial educa-
-u tion with the
4AaAuOvoA' Federal Board
for Vocational Education, and later
first assistant director of tho bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce.
with the cooperation of r. G. Nichols,
assistant director for commercial edu-
cation, Tho active aid and interest of
the Department of Commerce from the
start was principally through the
foresight and Eeal Of c. D. Snow. then
first assistant director of tho bureau
and now commercial attache in Paris
DR.. MacElwee brought to the task
experience covering a decade of prac-
lxy1tx u.