Evening star., 1926-04-13
Continued from First Page.)

NAhuy NbtECS NthtAG Dius
When it became apparent that the
congress would be made q permanent
organization invitations were extend
ed to 1t to meet next year In New
Orleans, Buenos Aires or Havana.
All OF these were laid aside pending
the appointment Of committee
which will plan for the next confer
ence. The invitation to Buenos Aires
was extended by the delegation from
Brazil. although the city mentioned
Is the capital Of Argentina. A spokes-
man for the Brazilian delegates rather
anxiously protested when the invita-
ton was referred for action by a
committee. He insisted that 1t should
be given immediate attention. but
was finally convinced that this could
not be done
AT 1890 the congress recessed to
the north grounds of the Pan-Ameri-
can Union and there planted n tree
commemorating the first Journalistic
congre IS. Music was furnished for
the occasion by the United States
Navy Band and a representative from
each Of the American republics had
a. part in throwing a shovelful of
earth on the uncovered roots. AS a
hitting climax a bevy Of doves was re-
leased, symbolizing the peace that
prevails among the nations Of the
New World. Following this cere-
mony the delegates were the guests
or the congress at a luncheon at the
ran American Union.
Speaks on Schools.
DR.. James Melvin Lee. director Of
the department OF Journalism Of New
YORK University. led the discussion
OF the subject. Schools of Journal
ism. In paper that was presented
to the congress, DIR. Lee said that
preparation for journalism has fol-
lowed path somewhat similar to
that for medicine. In bygone days
the boy who wanted to become
doctor apprenticed himself to some
physician. He began his career in
the doctors barn. Often he hung out
his shingle too soon for his own good
and much too soon for the good of the
community, the speaker said. but, un.
like the newspaper man, he could
bury his mistakes and no questions
were asked.
I'm those days" Mr.. Lee con-
tinued, preparation for newspaper
work was somewhat similar. The
budding journalist washed the type,
cleaned out the EDITORS wastebask
and watched the practical printer set
the type and make ready the forms.
Later he tried his hand at the case
and helped the editor pick up routine
news about the village. Unlike the
young doctor, the young Journalist
had to save a little money for equip
ment, or more often borrow it be-
fore he could branch out for himself
with a paper OF his own.
To-day the young man who wants
to become physician goes to one of
the many medical schools of the
country. Some insist upon two years
general college preparation before
hand, and still others are distinctly
post graduate schools. After finishing
the medical school. the graduate
usually has two years Of hospital
work.
Journalism Courses Vary.
Similar conditions obtain in the
newspaper field." Mr.. Lee said.
There are schools and departments
Of journalism which admit students
directly from the high school, but in
other educational institutions no work
in journalism is permitted until after
two years of college training. In a
few universities. distinctly pro-
fessional course of one year is offered
to college graduates.
journalism now are doing does not
belong to this informal chat in which,
as q historian of the press, l have
tried to sketch the background. Those
interested In a list Of the institutions
Offering work in Journalism or in
knowing more about the technical in.
struction are referred to a pamphlet
which I once prepared for the Bureau
of Education. But as a practical news
paper man l may say In conclusion
that / am more interested in the
the making today than in its past
performances"
Discussing this subject, Prof. Ros-
coe c. e. Brown. acting director of
the Columbia University School Of
Journalism, declared that while
schools of journalism originated in
the United States, and have spread
with great rapidity, we should be far
from offering them as a perfect
example for other countries that may
desire to develop systematic training
Journalism, he said, must shape its
policy according to the character Of
the newspapers for which 1t prepares
workers.
Cites Sharp Contrast.
The leading cities Of Latin America,
he said, by way of example, publish
great papers Of wide circulation, not
inferior to any in enterprise. intelli-
gence and adaptation to their own
people, but their emphasis is in sharp
contrast to that Of most newspapers
in this country, and this contrast is
more striking when the whole body Of
the Latin American press is con-
sidered.
Now school training for journalism
need never fall under the delusion that
its Job Is to teach tricks Of trade
and equip for dexterity in stimulating
facetious interests" the speaker
continued.
at may not fairly be supposed that
such q delusion prevails in the United
States. Yet many persons have
gathered the notion that facility to
write in the current reportorial style
is the essence Of journalism. But all
of the leading schools adhere firmly
to the teaching that the essential
equipment Of the journalist Is knowl.
edge and more knowledge, and that
his essential vocation is prophetic, to
understand life in all its phases. and
to interpret it to his fellows.
"You Of the southern land have q
broad field for journalists trained in
this way. Whatever you may do in
schools for the stimulation Of news
sense or the advancement Of tech
nique, train up generations Of men
who will use benefcently the oppor-
tunity given by your cosmopolitan.
minded press. Teach them to learn
the best Of all the world with open
minds and to give the peoples Of the
Latin American states the large part
that belongs to them in removing