Samuel Gompers on public education

Today in honor of Labor Day, here's Samuel Gompers on public education:

In order to be consistent with democratic ideals, public schools must meet the needs of all. They must fit not only for the administraive, directive positions in life and for the professions, but they also must meet the needs of those who by their creative labor powers and the coordination of their minds and muscles give existence to the ideas and purposes that are in the minds of those who control industry and commerce.

And in a bit that looks like prophecy:

 Your organization has officially gone on record as opposed to all such efforts to dominate the public schools of this country, whether exercised by so-called philanthropic organizations, foundations, or any other agency. The organized labor movement is with you in that purpose. Our experiences with the exploiting forces in the industrial and commerical field make us keen to detect them when exercised in other relationsh of life. We have opposed from the beginning efforts of these "foundations to secure legislation granting htem the right to incorporate under federal laws and thus dominate our whole educational system. We have called attention to efforts of these foundations to lay corrupting hands up on the foundationheads of information, knowledge, and education. We have disclosed where they have laid violent hands upon government institutions and have attempted to form an insidious alliance nimnally with government agencies but in reality to exploit the work done.

Nothing new under the sun. Happy Labor Day!
h/t AMPS