Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-21
The Haskin Letter
BY FREDERICK
J. HASkiN
NEVER TOO WISE TO LEARN

ment's work, and if we can get the big
men for leaders the young men will
gladly come for the privilege of work
ing and studying with them"
That the classes are worth while to
the trained scientist is obvious from
the kind of teachers engaged. About
one-third of the courses are taught
by men of international reputation who
come to Washington each week from
universities fin New York and Balti-
more. Other courses are conducted
bv outstanding experts from the de-
partment of agriculture, or from other
scientific government bureaus, or in
situations such as the National Re
search council.
POST Graduate and Review Work
There.are two kinds Of courses in
This school of science: those that rep
resent post graduate work, n review
courses. Credit for the former is be-
ing given by a number of standard
universities.
The review courses are mainly ele-
mentary. A government scientist is
apt to be one Of the most up-to-date
men in the country so far as his par
ticnlar speciality is concerned, but he
NAV not be SO well posted on the work
being done in other branches Of his sci
ence.
One government employe, an expert
in his line. is taking a review course
because be says that when he was IN
college, 80 years ago, chemistry was
entirely different from what 1t is to-
day with new theories and new labor
atorv equipment, Besides scientists,
some clerical workers in the depart
ment are admitted to the elementary
classes. !,
Courses in technical agricultural
writing and in elementary writing are
attracting large numbers Of students.
Writing reports and bulletins on this
work is one Of the government Se1en-
lists regular tasks. Library science
and elementary statistics are also pop
ular.
are such subjects as the chemistry OF
coIioids and advanced crystallography.
OF the latter class it is said that not
40 men in the department would be
qualified to enter. This course deais
with CRYSTALS in vegetable substances
aud in fats and oils.
Dr, Ball says that these science
classes are not a pioneer attempt Mt
education in the government service.
West Point and Annapolis represent
the earliest official attempts at edu-
cation BY the United States govern
ment. There is the army war college
to which army officers are detailed
for study Of problems in tactics and
strategy, and there is the army medical
school.
The army and scientific bureaus such
as the coast and geodetic survey detail
men to graduate institutions TO m
crease their professional efficiency;
The war and navy departments had ~
men studying at one school. the Mas
sachusefts Institute of Technology, a
year ago.
The bureau Of standards has had for
some years q school similar to that
now organized al the department of
agriculture. Courses in technical sub
iects held after working hours are
taught by experts Of the bureau. and
the students finance the classes,
The agricultural school is also fl
nanced by the students. 1t il III no
way supported by the government. The
project is not intended TO compete with
established schools of Washington,
though the national capital has few
post graduate courses of interest to
agricultural scientists. The aim in or
ganizing the school was To stimulate
the scientists to greater interest IN
continuing their education. If the de
partment of agriculture had a motto
it might be. Never too wise 10 learn.