Putnam patriot., 1921-03-25
OVERALLS AND CRIME
 BADGE OF LEARNING
Vocational Education Fits the Boy For Life of Useful
 ness
Many People Impressed By What
 They See At Trade School

That a boy who wears overalls and gets his hands dirty is not longer looked down upon by his associates, and himself feels proud that he is a producer, was quite evident in the happy, contented, faces found in all departments of the Putnam State Trade school, Wednesday night. Not so very long ago boy who decided to learn a trade did not quite measure up to the ethical standard of his class mates who were able to continue their academic education. But this has been changed and overalls and dirt have become badge, not only of re- spectability, but badge of usefulness and an insignia that the wearer is go- ing to help in producing, to become a useful citizen and be a unit of prog ress in this country.
 But, as was forcefully brought out Wednesday evening in the high school hall, boy may now don overalls and jumper, work with his hands among the machines in the shop and still not give up his academic courses. This has come about through the co-opera tion between the high Id trade schools of this state. Com, med aca- demic and vocational courses have made it possible and never before in the history of education has the boy, whose parents are unable to send him to college, been afforded such a won derful opportunity to be taught to use his hands and his head in one and the same day.
 Wednesday night was an 'open night" at the Trade school. Visitors were invited to inspect the various de- partments of the school and later to listen to talk by F. J. Trinder, su pervisor of state trade schools in Con- necticut.
 The guests began to arrive by as early as 2 o'clock From a distance the fine Trade school building could be seen brightly Illuminated. As one drew nearer the rumble of machinery lcould be heard When a hundred wards away the school eaifce seemed to rock as it hummed to the concen- trated energy within the four brick walls
 From the sidewalk on Providence street to the entrance of the school 1 two lines of electric lights had been strung These were intermittently | lighted in sections as the guests pro ceeded from the street to the front door of the school.
 Once within the building all became hustle and hustle. In the basement on the west end was the machine shop. This department is in charge of K J. Bogardus. Boys clad in over alls, some with grimy faces, bent over the machines, turned mysterious bolts and screws and seemed to be veterans in their work. Some samples of fin- ished products were in evidence and one wondered how these lads could have turned out such beautifully fin- isbed work.
 At the other end of the building was the carpentry department. Saws and planers made constant din. Rough and finished work was in pro- gress. Everyone was busy. The in- structor, A. F.. Burtt, was here and there giving bit of instruction or seeing that the boy was working properly and intelligently.
 Coming up from the basement to the street or middle floor, one found this whole section devoted to textile manufacture. The raw material could be followed from the picker to the loom. E. Kershaw was in charge of this section.
 On the second floor, east end, was the drafting department. Here all was quiet but not still. The young embryo draughtsmen were busy with pencils and instruments under the su- pervision of c. L. Ransom. Many plans of machines and parts, cabinets and even houses, drawn by pupils, were displayed.
 At the opposite end P. F. Roche had an interesting department. Elec- trcity is always mysteriously attract i've to the uninitiated. A large switchboard assembled by pupils, transformers, dynamos and brilliant lights, all pulsing with life, drew the attention but reflected little informa- tion to one not familiar with where and how this mysterious life was en- gendered.
 The fact that impressed one who had not been at the school Tn some months was the increase in equipment. Many new machines have been added since the last visitors night. It was brighter and buster place than 1t was six months ago. The atmosphere was more intense; the spirit was more determined; the whole emphatically demonstrated progress.
 In the High school building the cooking and sewing rooms were in- spected and the laundry in the base. ment. a new department. The food looked tempting and the many gar ments, hats, etc, were appreciated by the women.
 Shortly after o'clock the guests gathered at the assembly hall, where they were welcomed by W. l.. Mac donald, superintendent of schools, who introduced E. H. Johnson, chair man of the town school committee.
 Mir. Johnson made few remarks n.- Trsn H Q