Evening star., 1930-06-22

''T'HERE is considerable confusion on this
subject of education. The technical and
professional schools do not really provide edu-
cation in the true sense. The boy who wants
to be a chemist, doctor or a lawyer learns at
college how to the tools of his trade just
the apprentice carpenter or mechanic. 1t
seems absurd to mention the mathematics of
bridge building. the strength of the steel struc-
lures the fundamental laws of physics in
the category with machinetendin or
house building, but the fundamental principles
the same. Both comprise the use of the
tools essential to occupation or profession.
while knowing how to use the tools OF ones
profession makes for better engineers, chemists
or doctors, it does not bear on the necessity Of
elevating the younger generation or helping
them become true men.
This is the business of education-to know
how to think, to appreciate and enjoy the best
in art, literature and music and to be tolerant,
sympathetic temperate human beings, UNDER
standing the world in which one lives
Education is concerned with the growth OF
personality. 1t only succeeds when it instillS
an eagerneSs for the good things of life. It's
job is feeding the fires OF the spirit and light
ing an unquenchable flame for truth and
beauty.
There is enough dignity and reward in any
occupation today to make it unnecessary for
boys to go to college whose mental metabolism
cannot digest the intellectual fare of cultivated
minds.
at think it is possible TO reform our colleges
with mass education as an objective. 1t is pos
Sible for the butcher. the baker and the candle-
stick maker to be exposed to grand poetry, great
literature or the wisdom of the great minds OF
the ages and to be inoculated successfully with
the germ Of appreciation.
''The man who can be lifted out of himself
by contact with the accumulated wisdom and
beauty of the generations has an ally in living
that is beyond price. He is never without
friends fellowship. If colleges to
tinue to carry education, they must
dedicate themselves to the task of creating cul-
tured and cultivated men or they will have
failed in their purpose.
It know there are people who say that you
cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
and that to take a newsboy and change him
into a cultivated man within a generation is
impossible This is absolutely contrary to
perience Many cases have come under my own
observation in which the highest culture has
been self-acquired. The man who is determined
to get an education will always find way to
achieve it,
Meanwhile the elevation of standards in the
professional schools should go on, in order tn
obtain the very best material for the profess
Sions"
90 NOESN"r this mean a double college course
marriage delayed to the thirtieS and a
terrific handicap for the poor boy? How would
nomc pressure is depriving the poor boy of his
chance at the professions and is extremely
democratic?" Mr.. Roberts was asked.
Il have been puzzled about that question my~
SELF" replied the new justice. "I really don't
know how to answer the charge that such pros
cedure is undemocratic. But do know that
it Is limiting professional training on the whole
to higher type of men and is giving the OPP
portunity for intellectual leadership of the
Nation to those who seemed destined for the
higher places.
I'VE are not equipped to give every boy any
kind of any higher education he desires. Since
the number of places IS limited the opportunity
to use these privileges should be limited to those
who seem most worthy of them on the basis
Of intelligence physique and character. 1t Is
question as to whether under the prevailing cir
cumstances democracy is not best served in this
way.
Being poor is a handicap. Economic pres
sure bars out the weaklings in the race for
success. But if you will look back so years and
examine the histories of thousands of the great
men of this country you will find that their
origin was obscure and their financial status
of the lowest Yet many of them obtained the
most thorough education, surmounted great
difficulties and today not only successful
men but cultivated gentlemen of the highest
type.
Such success is still possible to the poor boys
OF America, despite the raising of standards
which also raise the economic barriers"