Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-25
NOW MY IDEA IS THIS
Daily Talks With Thinking Phadephians Subjects They
KnotU Best

oretical and technical instruction will pro-
duce the greater ultimate results. Instruc-
tors whose experience has been the indus
trial application of theory. and whose capa-
bilitics of shaping that experience into Il
form of concentrated instruction are the val
liable assets, to the men and to the Fed
eral Board of Vocational Training.
THESE facts cover only few of the
cases. or, as may be said. a part of the
student body which comes under the direc
ton of this class of work But here is
another class and Il more difficult one to
hande-that of the men who start train
spend a years time and be better paid
for it than the usual compensation in such
cases. Yet, these unSortunatc ones can be
successfully turned to real Industrious ones,
and profitable result attained.
There is in every mans makeup
spark of pride or an atom of shame. no
matter how much these factors have been
ignored. There are many who require Il
far reaching influence, and II well planned
campaign to grasp that spark and fan it
to flame. Here is chance for the per-
sonal interest, and personal application of
the instructor. Find that real 'hc- man
feature in the student and develop it for
all it is worth
Must Garry Case Further
Possibly this cannot be done with n
purely academic phase of instruction, so the
case must be carried further. Just as com
petition is the spice and life of trade. so
is it the spice and life of personal develop
mcnt. And, after all, that personal develop
ment is only another name for education.
So arises n chance for social service far
greater and bigger than any ordinary char
ity and, in most COseS. more lasting, Set
proper example for any man and make him
idcaliZe that example ana .ncn we can make
him want to copy II, make him see his fcl-
low worker whose possibilities are no greater
than his own but whose success Is evident,
nd Ntin thn Gt,hi CTR 70
for that same success and normally he VIII
reach just the ultimate climax that has been
planned for him. but which might have been
easily missed.
"Couplc this competition with Il social
phase of education and the success is ama2-
ing. True, these men cannot all compete
in the ordinary strenuous athletic contests
and competitions of n normal student be-
cause Of this physical disability: but here.
again, is another opportunity to make the
plans fit the man. and the instructors must
find things that will assist their physical
deficiencies and help them to enter some form
Of honorable competition so necessary TO
their general morale.
Examples Among Themselves
Examples among themselves are the
strongest to these men. In one class of
schools We can cite an athletic competition
wherein only Il few men were physically ap,
to enter because of tho strrnuOusnrss of the
games but those few examples 50 aroused
the combined spirit of the balance of the
student bodies as to influence them along
the lines of promotion of clean sport and
that student body is thriving pcrccptiby as
Il result.
'Th" school means something to them and
they mean more to the school and agnin.
the purpose of the federal board of yOca-
tional training Is being accomplished in
real evident. successful manner. We do
know that most Of the disabled mon nrr
unfit for these types of things, but there are
still other methods bv which they can be
made to feel that sense of responsibility
which is so important.
For example, the development of social
functions at which interesting and enter.
tanning features ar" given At such times
at this same school the men are assembled
and for on" hour or more they are privileged
to direct their own programs and in fact
help 10 make mp these programs from things
which are most interesting to them. II il
done in this way: AS much talent is assem-.
bIcd as available, both from the outside
sources and from the student body itself
This talent presents their offering as quickly
as the time permits, and AS an intormit
tcnc", IN" men sing from published song
sheets. '7
"Whcn they hNv" heard from each part
OF IN" available talent these meetings are
given over to their own hands for dirnction
II they want to sing, they sing; or, if they
desire som" ON" of the talent TO further en-.
tcrlAln them, then they politely and dinIn
lnhtrniy hrrnngc that event. All this tends
to dcmnnd that tn" mcIS themselves. show
- all their surroundings aud surrounding
people the height Of etiquette and politcnc,s
so lar aS thry are able 10 command it, and
after all, what is more necessary i'm the
education and personal development than
these Two things'