Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-06
COUNTRY STRIDES IN
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION

New York. Dec. SIN an effort to
disclose the present status OF indus
trial education in this country, and
to link the school with the workshop
in a nationwide plan to provide in
struction for millions of workers, ex-
perts today submitted reports to the
annual meeting Of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers en-
bodyinS the results of their surveys.
Made under the auspices Of the
society's committee on Education
and Training, the Investigations were
conducted by James A. Meyer, Of
Boston, director Of University Elk
tension, Massachusetts Department
of Education, and secretary Of tho
National University Extension Asso-
citation; Robert l.. Sackett. deansof
engineering in Pennsylvania State
College anad Charles II. Richards,
director of Cooper Union, New York.
Industrial education has advanced
in truly remarkable way and prom
Uses much for the future" said a
statement summarizing the reports
issued by the society's committee.
More than 100000 persons are study
ing in trade extension courses in
New York alone, and $4,000 are
studying in federally aided vocational
schools supported by appropriations
Of over $4,000 900, according to the
committee, which found that more
than 100000 students in the United
States have completed correspond
ence courses.
The committee suggests that each
industry cooperate with the univer-
sity extension agency in it's state
and secure for it's employees the ad-
ditional personal instruction fur
Iished when correspondence instruc-
ton is applied for by groups. and the
consequent formation of what are
called extension classes. The COM
mittee states its purpose to be "a
coordination and simplification which
may be suggestive Of standard code
Of procedure in vocational training"
President Ira. y. Hollis. OF the
Worcester, Mass. Polytechnic Insti-
tuition. speaking of the extension and
correspondence schools, said that the
way to an education is being opened
up by these schools to thousands OF
men and women who have no money
to go to college.
"Correspondence instruction lacks
the contact among students that pro-
notes discussion and supplies slim
uluS for study. but 1t makes up Tor
that in the serious purpose OF every
student, and in what must be con-
fessed is superior instruction" said
Dr. Hollis. "a correspondence school
can afford to employ the very best
talent in the country for preparing
textbooks, and it can lend TO the
work n degree OF technical skill that
one cannot find in the average col
lese. The extension schools are
usually connected with universities.
Developments during the last year,
according to Dean Sachett. show that
there is a growing national apprec'-
alton of the need for apprentice train
ing. Schools for bricklayers. steam
filters, carpenters, electricians ana
others have, he said. succeeded nota-
bly, in San Francisco. The lndustrial
Association OF that city now beIieVcs'
he reported. that it can train men 10
be master craftsmen in Il 10 -
months. In the past three 10 Tour
years have been demanded.
Both employers and unions are de-
veloping industrial training In New
York. A joint plan applied TO wood
working apprentices is In operation
and plans are being made for the or
ganization Of training for plasterers,
bricklayers and other trades as soon
as practicable.
This movement by the New YORK
Building Congress has the support OK
Gnanciers, contractors. and union
labor and it has aroused widespread
interest in the problem Of supplying
an ADEQUATE number OF skilled me-
chanics and artisans" said Dean
Sackett.