The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-13

worse. they are lost assets, procti- cally to the whole world.
 Every person, l am sure. could ac- tually mention the names right now of children who by rights should be studying voice or music. painting. law journalism, cartooning-or the many dozens of different callings where trained and clever minds are so much needed.
 No Suggestions Made
 Every person, I feel sure, bewails the fact that these assets really never can have chance, but no ade- quate suggestion has yet been made as to how we can handle tn. situa- tion.
 Out of the great masses of our children, suppose we picked those that should receive special training. How could we get them that train ing? Would it not be wonderful to take up with parents the education of their children and be able to put at their disposal some expert or ex- perts who could advise them just W hat should be done for their chil- dren, stating how long each child should stay in training and where 1t should be placed. as far as possible. when that training is completed?
 There are some parents, of course, who would be able to give their chi,- dren such advantages suggested. But sin many cases since dozens of our cleverest Alabama assets come from poor families. higher education and specialized training would be entirely impossible for them no matter how bright the children might be-"
 Mrs Taylor became impresisve.
 A 1<I ~k, 1Af these children go into mills and work shops, become ditch diggers and la borers. when she needs all the brain fiber with which God has blessed her as a section? Why not have tabu- lated list of such children compiled so their cases could be intelligently put before our earnest-minded people, and citizens who really care; not ask ing help for them in spirit of char ity. but because of knowledge that the world needs its best assets trained?
 Give Service Later
 "A child in receiving such aid could promise some service to his or her benefactor. paying back by some sys- tenn What a wonderful thing if our state could have some kind of plan which would guarantee the education of these assets'-practically force their education in their particular work.
 There are scholarships of one kind and another which now and then do give young prodigies a chance to perfect themselves. but most of the time such scholarships do not go far enough. They usually furnist mere educational progress-not training for students special talent.
 some employees there must be. feel sure-particularly those who nre all the time hiring, skilled workers who might be willing to interest themselves In some of these Ala bama assets SO easily spotted tn our public institutions of learning. They could adopt them. as 1t were, md let those assets come into their en- ploy for a certain length of time after the close of their period of train ing. This woul dpay the employers for their assistance. The arrange ment between the asset and employ CTS could be based on a contract framed for the benefit of both.
 stntes Would Follow
 If We started such work there is no doubt that every state in the Union would follow Alabama's lead. I cannot think we have not bright women--and men--enough who can formulate number of workable plans for training 'Alabama's own.
 Tt is so sad that so many of our