Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23
SECRETARY DAVIS VISUALTZES
GREAT VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Ford'S Plan to Spend $780,
100000 on Trade Train
ing ReviveS Dream.
Solution to Crowded Build
ings and Transportation
Problems Seen.
BY REX COLLIER.

mas SpurreQ secretary OF DaOOr DdVlS
to revive his long-dormant proposal of
great Government vocational train
ing institution in Washington as sub
stitute for the present system of scat
tered high schools
Enthusiastic over the public acclaim
given Ford's announcement in Florida
recently, the Labor Secretary, in an in
terview at his work shop" in the De-
partment of Labor, disclosed his hope
of seeing his own trade school dream
realized here in the Capital before he
leaves the cabinet.
IT would like to see this project 60
down in history as one of the big
achievements of the Hoover admins
tration," the Secretary declared, with
a bang of his fist on the desk. mo
accomplishment could be more i'm
portant than that of educating youth
to take care of itself in the world"
1t may not be at all significant, but
at least it is an interesting coincidence
that Mr.. Davis is going to Florida in
few days. A meeting of the cabinet
officer and the Detroit automobile man
ufacturer for an informal discussion
of their vocational training ideas and
ideals is not outside the realm of prob
ability.
Should such a meeting take place. it
is possible the motor magnate may be-
come sufficiently interested in Secre-
tary Davis plan to give it more than
casual support. One of the chief draw
backs to the Davis project has been its
cost to the Government. If the expense
were to be shared by private capital,
pecuniary objections would be obviated.
Incidentally, there is reason to believe
that Ford'S interest in vocational edu-
cation was stimulated by talks he has
had in the past with Secretary Davis.
Pair Had Conference.
The pair had a long conference at
Dearborn on one occasion, during which
Ford's educational experiments with en-
ployeS' children were discussed. Later
Ford secured from Mooseheart, educa-
tional center of the Moose Order, OF
which Davis is director general, the
services of two offlcials who had played
leading roles in the orders extensive
education program.
The Secretary's dream" truly Is an
ambitious one. He is convinced it is
not an impractical one, however, and
has given much serious thought to it.
The more he thinks about it the hrmer
becomes his conviction that his theories
are sound and workable.
81 vision a huge governmental edu-
cation center on the outskirts of WASH
ington," the Secretary unused, "where
the young men and women of this city
can receive instruction not only in the
higher academic subjects, but in such
economic pursuits as agriculture, me-
chanics, woodworking and the like.
Let the Government set apart a
2,000-acre tract somewhere outside the
congeSted residential zone and build
there group of large high school struc-
lures with capacity for all Washington's
high school children, a huge stadium
accommodating perhaps 100000 persons,
and model experimental farm similar
to that of the Department Of Agriculture
across the Potomac.
Then we could use the present high
schools buildings to relieve the pressing
congestion in the ELEMENTARY schools and
we could use the stadium as place for
national and international pageants,
athletic events and patriotic meetings"
But how about the expense of such
an undertaking." the Secretary was
asked. 1.-THE school authorities have diff
ficulty now in securing adequate appro-
priations, and the school system still is
struggling along with portable build
ings."
That's Just It," he replied. zone
generous outlay of money would end
for good the recurrent financial prob
lens Of existing piecemeal policies. And
this single outlay would solve not only
the high school problem but the grade
school shortage. OF course, the project
would need active and impressive sup
port. believe this backing can be got
ten If the advantages Of the plan are
pointed out to responsible authorities"
wouldn't there be objections on the
ground of transportation difficulties?"
the interviewer suggested.
Now, you're coming to the real
beauty of my scheme" Davis said,
earnestly.
Would Relieve Congestion.
"By putting the institution outside
the city you create q general exodus of
students in the morning just as Gov
eminent employees are coming down
town. Instead of the street cars going
out empty to get these employees in
the morning, they will be filled with
school children on the way to the edu-
cational center. The reverse will occur
in the afternoon, with children coming
in and employees going out. The car
companies, in return for the increased
business, would be able to grant a sub
stantial fare reduction for the students"
The reporter asked another question.
question.
would there be enough students in
Washington interested In agriculture or
manual trades to warrant intensive
courses in those subjects?"
The one-time iron puddler pushed
some papers from in front of him, rested
his arms on the desk and leaned for
ward.
I'D make them interested" he said.
That's one of the faults Of our schools
and colleges today. They do not teach
our boys and girls to be self-supporting,
to know how to earn a living by hard
work if other means fail.
TT would make such courses COM
pulsory, whether the student thinks he
may have need for them in later life
or not. 1t doesn't hurt anyone, be he
minister, doctor, newspaper man, or
other professional man, to know the
rudiments of farming or carpentry or
machine shop work. A man may
never have occasion to make use of
this knowledge in his own business,
but it will help him to gain broader
view of work and a better understand
ing Of the working mans problems.
Wrote Senator Capper.
Secretary Davis first advocated his
"one big high school, plan nine years
ago in a letter to Senator Capper, then
chairman Of a special committee in
vestigating conditions in the local
schools. The proposal did not meet with
hearty response because of the cost
| involved and the revolutionary changes
| called for.
But the system has been demon
strated and proved feasible at Moose
heart" Davis pointed out. 1T will
prove practical here, and when its
success becomes known the Washington
institution will become model for