Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-14
Is knowledge Really Power2

An off-hand reply to that question is not
likely to be dependable, for, no matter which
way it may be answered, someone is sure to set
up to the contrary. Maybe the provisional
response, that it all depends, is the correct one
couple of years ago when we were comparing
the wages OF teachers to those paid hodcarriers,
opinion inclined to the point that weak mind
and strong back when rightly coupled have
decided advantages over the opposite combina-
ton. Happily, however, that condition is pass
ing, for it was only temporary and could not en-
dure, and things are slowly rghting themselves
socially as we'll as ndustrially.
As proof that knowledge may be translated
into power may be cited that so-called workers
universities are springing up, to be supported and
patronized by workers, to the end that they will
be trained in mind as we'll as in muscle. Even
the experiment of the short-term summer
school for working girls at Bryn Mawr
is reported to have accomplished a great
deal for those who attended the classes.
This movement is significant of one of
the neglected manifestations of the ferment
that is working. That the manual toier should
yearn for mental emancipation is natural, wor-
thy ambition. Indeed, fundamental of our
government provides for the education of all the
boys and girls born under Old Glory, and most
of the states have rigid compulsory educational
laws An accompanying fact, however, is that
the workers are seeking to establish their own
schools for higher training. This indicates dis
trust of existing institutions that ought to be
dspeAed. -
What the workingman sees is immense en-
dowment funds, subscribed to by men Of great
wealth; his inference is that these benefactions
are bestowed because of especial favors ex-
pected. Frequently "high brow" affords sup
port for such conclusions by indulging in non
-sensical discussion of problems he only half un-
derstands. Now and then one breaks out on the
radical side and capitalzes his dismissal from the
faculty OF great institution into an income far
exceeding that of any professor, merely because
he is adept at spreading the miasma OF false
philosophy.
1t will not do to say the worker can not use
the knowledge he seeks at the university In
England is "that man Hodge" leader of the
miners. He was sent to school by his union,
graduated from Oxford with honor, went back
to work in the mine was elected to small office
: in his union, rose to be its head, and now is
looked upon by many as the next premier, to
succeed Lloyd George. What may we'll be done
in America is to readjust the great state univer-
sites, every one of them open to the workers on
easy terms, so that their sound teachings will not
be swallowed up in fads or specialtes, and will
be relieved of any suspicion or faint Of reaction,
to the end that they may fulfill their great pur-
pose, that of afording enlightenment to all the
people. And the endowed and private schools
may reach higher stage Of usefulness when they
search little closer for the truth than some OF
them are now thought to be doing.
II will be 4 sad calamity for popular education
should it ever be divided on class or sect lines,
Is has happened to the church. Men are far less
likely to be tolerant in dealing with demonstrable
facts than they are when in the realm Of specula-
tive or hypothetical things; and the history OF
religion shows how sad state it is for men
to differ about the way which is said to be both
straight and narrow. Let us have schools open
to all wherein the workers may learn and feel
that the knowledge they are gaining is not only
an element of power, but is power because it is
equally truth.