HIGHER EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7110, 23 April 1910, Page 16

HIGHER EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

Higher education, in America ie attacked a 6 wasteful and harmful by Mr Richard T. Crane, a multi-millionaire manufacturer, of ' Chicago, father of Charles li. Crane, who was recalled as American Minister to China, a few months ago because of an interview that affronted Japan. Mr Crane’s views on education appear in a hook ho has published at his own expense. "College professors and teachers," says Mr Crane, "are prepared to give advice on all subjects. As XtbO-a-year teachers, they tell ue how to turn out -k 1000 and. *62000 a year business men. Isn’t it a bit strange it never has occurred to these smart college fellows to go into business for themselves? Why draw a small salary for telling young men how to draw big salaries if you are capable of drawing the big salary yourself? Higher schooling does not make cither brains or ability. And <as those are the only things that' count in. any of life’e activities, what use can wo hare for the higher schools? It is conservative to estimate that the expense of higher education to America must be at least .620,000,000 a year. And this enormous sum is literally thrown away, much to .the injury of the country and its people. This vast waste of money means blood drawn from the people, blankets taken from, their beds, food from their tables, coal from their cellars, clothing from their. backs—all in the line of sacrifice' on the altar of higher education. If the professors can tell us how to raise corn or build bridges or dig tunnels,, or run factories, or manage stores, then :in the name of, common-scree let us j give them a chance to show us how these things should be done."