The Washington herald., 1920-10-10

than he was making application to the
village school authorities for a position. He
had a good name, had made the most. of his
meager education, and had a well developed
plan in mind. So at sixteen years be found
himself at the head of his home town school
"a ruler from the teachers rostrum over the
destinies of the young folks about him, some
Of them of his own age and physique.
But having become a school teacher,
Finegan was not content with his first con-
quest in the battle of life. He decided he
wanted to be a lawyer, SO he studied law out
of school hours and eventually was ad-
mitted to the New York bar. But it was in
the pedsgogic line that he excelled, and in
that line that he specialized, making it his
lifework. Once on his way he was not to
be stopped. Education was his guiding
star, and in a short time he had acquired
degrees from Hamilton College, from the
New York State Normal College, from COL
gate and from the University of Maine. They
made him school commissioner of Schohari,
county, then supervisor Of examinations in
the New York State Department of Public
Instruction, then chief of the law division
of the State Educational Department, as.
sistant commissioner for elementary educa.
ton and finally deputy commissioner of edu-
cation in 1915.
Once in a strategic position Doctor Fine
gan had plain common sense enough to make
the most of the situation. So much did he
make of it that while the New York State
Commissioner of Education was engaged in
war work With the Red Cross the deputy
commissioner was making more and more
a name for himself in the world of educa-
ton. 1t was at this juncture that he en-
gagged the attention of Governor sproul, of
Pennsylvania, who was then looking for a
leader in school work And to Harrisburg
came Doctor Finegan-the highest roAud
on his ladder of success to date.
Here is high point for the energetic
school lad to keep in mind. Doctor Fine
gan never knew when he had enough
he kept on trying all the time. He was not
content just to teach school, prepare tests
and read examination papers. Out of school
hours he found time to study law. Fur
thermore, with vision acute, he was looking
sbove the petty trials of everyday life. He
found time to do other things He found
time to write on the side and added to his
reputation as an author with a number of
notable textbooks and treatises on educa
tIUnal subjects.
He believed in work-much work. more
work, most work
What are the chances of a young per
son making good today in the field of
education?" I asked anew, going back to
the question that had opened the interview
In no field do the opportunities exceed
those offered in the field of education" was
the reply.
Twenty of the leading colleges of
America have required new presidents in
this year alone he reminded me. ''Iu nv
own state some notable examples, including
the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsyl-
Vania State College, Lehigh University and
Allegheny College. At random, Such insti-
tutions as Yale and Minnesota. They occur
to me on the moment. In many other COL
leges their presidents are preparing to step
down and out after a long life of service.
Where are we to get the Provost Smiths,
the Doctor Sparks, the Doctor Drinkers of
tomorrow? From the rising generation of
young folk of today.
There was never such an opportunity in
any field as there is today in the realm of
education. Give US teachers is the cry
on every hand. Schools are overcrowded,
many of them on half time, some of them
turning away young children thirsty for
knowledge. Many of our institutions OF
learning opening this fall had to turn back