under the supervision of the teachers of the Pedagogic Institute, by the fourth and fifth year students, the latter being thus prepared for their degree, which they generally obtain at the age of 21 or 22 years. They may then consider their studies ended or may specialize in the 2-year supplementary courses, which include psychology, biology, gymnasium, religion, and literature.

It is proposed to begin next year a course for kindergarten teachers. Thus the Pedagogic Institute will include a 6-year model school, a 5year course in the Pedagogic Institute, and two years of supplementary courses (or a year of preparation for kindergarten teaching). The total number of students registered is 350, of whom 120 are boarders. The expenses for the students are trifling. The Government not only offers free board and lodging but also gives textbooks and supplies to those holding scholarships. The only obligation on the part of a graduate is four years' teaching service in whatever Government school she may be placed, but even this duty is not rigorously exacted.

The visitor entering the school finds a group of students who, in spite of their studies, have not lost the joy of youth. Their bright eyes, strong bodies, dexterity in sports and general good health indicate that this first generation, in establishing a new tradition, has not lost its feminine charm nor poise, and that it still preserves the balance between what was the custom of the past and what is demanded by the present.

II

POPULAR CULTURE

By CONCHA ROMERO JAMES

Division of Intellectual Cooperation, Pan American Union

Many cultural activities recently have been started by a group of Colombian intellectual leaders who believe in high thinking and creative effort. With a maximum faith in their work and in their people these men and women, prominent in the educational, literary, artistic, and economic life of the Republic, have undertaken a number of activities designed to benefit all the different classes of people not only in their lovely and ancient capital but also all over the country. Lacking abundant resources, they have set to work without impressive budgets but with unlimited confidence in their plans. The following paragraphs are intended to give a brief summary of the activities that have been developed within the last twelve months through the inspiration of this group.

One of the most important events was the organization of the Centro de Estudios, a society composed of prominent citizens interested in contributing to the cultural life of the nation by means of lectures,

THE NATIONAL PEDAGOGIC INSTITUTE FOR GIRLS

Upper: A class in cooking, part of the domestic science course. Lower: The dining room of the Institute.

concerts, art exhibitions, short courses, and publications of a literary or scientific nature. The president of this institution, Dr. Gustavo Santos, is highly respected for his broad culture and civic spirit. Although scarcely more than a year old, the Centro has published a volume containing some of the lectures delivered at its headquarters and has also sponsored the publication of the historical novel Zoraya, by Daniel Samper Ortega, which has been hailed by the critics as a lasting contribution to Colombian literature. The Centro has recently inaugurated a series of excursions to points of artistic and historic interest in Bogotá, as well as to social welfare institutions and industrial plants, in order that the members may acquire a first-hand knowledge of the city and its resources. Among the distinguished persons who have lectured at the Centro are Dr. Raimundo Rivas, noted historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who gave a course on the political ideology of Bolívar; Miss Frances R. Grant, vice president of the Roerich Museum in New York, who delivered two lectures on the art and literature of the United States; and Dr. Esteban Jaramillo, director of the Bank of Colombia and Minister of Finance, who presented a thoughtful paper on the economic rôle of

women.

Another notable institution, the People's University, which was founded as a memorial to the Liberator Simón Bolívar on the occasion of the first centennial of his death, has made steady progress under the leadership of Señor Antonio José Gaitán. This institution offers popular short courses in bookkeeping, English, the Spanish language and literature, the history of civilization, the history of Colombia, criminal and civil law, social hygiene, the history of art, general biology, labor legislation, and philosophy.

The necessity of giving young men a more practical education has led the authorities of the old Colegio de San Bartolomé, a colonial seat of higher education which as early as 1622 was offering courses of university grade to the youth of Colombia, to establish a school of economic and juridical studies where modern methods of teaching and research will be put into practice. The course will be six years in length, the last one being devoted to practical work. The lecture hall will then be turned into a court room in order that the student may have actual experience in court procedure as judge, prosecutor, or lawyer for the defense. The young man who specializes in economics will have in his sixth year an opportunity to put into practice his knowledge of banking, commercial methods, life-insurance work, and similar subjects.

The intellectual life of women has been enriched by the establishment of the Women's Atheneum-curiously enough, at the initiative. of a man, Dr. Carlos Delgado Morales-where the regular activities of the club will permit the women of the upper classes to enlarge the

range of their interests. Particularly significant are the new courses of university grade offered for the first time at the colegio directed by the Señoritas Casas Castañeda, notable educators. These courses will be given by such distinguished men as Dr. Miguel Abadía Méndez, a prominent jurist and former president of Colombia; Dr. Antonio Gómez Restrepo, a noted literary critic; and Drs. Francisco Rengifo and Jenaro Jiménez, authorities, respectively, in philosophy and Latin.

One of the most fundamental aspects of this cultural movement is the anti-illiteracy campaign carried out by the Legión Femenina de Educación Popular (Women's Legion for Popular Education). This organization came into being in Barranquilla on March 16, 1930, under the aegis of the Alianza Unionista. Chapters have now been founded in practically all the important cities of the Republic. The members of the legion pledge themselves to endeavor not only to teach children and adult illiterates how to read and write but also to inspire them with love for wholesome recreation, including sports, gardening, and good reading. The organization likewise functions through committees on medical inspection, school lunches, distribution of clothes to needy children, and school gardens. All the chapters must have these committees, at least, and others may be formed to meet the peculiar needs of each community. Several chapters have undertaken other activities such as series of lectures, many of which are broadcast regularly; Sunday courses for workers; dental, eye and ear, and prenatal clinics. The enthusiam and efficiency with which the women have devoted themselves to their new tasks have been surprising even to themselves. "All of a sudden," commented a woman writer, "the women of Colombia, without knowing how it came to pass, have been assigned a most fundamental rôle, and all the doors that had been heretofore hermetically closed have now been opened wide to receive them."

The first important exhibition of Colombian art ever held in the country was inaugurated in August by the President, Dr. Enrique Olaya Herrera. The event was a revelation not only because of the large number of painters and sculptors participating but also because of the high quality and the nationalistic tendency of many of the works shown. It is hoped that this exhibition will become an annual affair and that it will serve as an incentive to the creative genius of the people.

To coordinate and spur on the various cultural activities, Don Luis Enrique Osorio, journalist and former columnist on the staff of El Tiempo, has undertaken the publication of Cultura Colombiana, an 8-page weekly printed on inexpensive paper which has no objection to exhibiting its poverty and makes no apologies for its simple appearance. It prides itself and justly so- on the dynamic idealism that breathes in every line.

In these many ways the new leaders of Colombia are endeavoring to reach every social class and give an opportunity for self-expression to all, whether young or old, low in the social scale or high in the upper levels of society. And we venture to prophesy that if they continue with the sincerity and earnestness with which they are now working they will do much toward the accomplishment of their ideal as expressed by one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the movement: "To define our personality as a nation, and to preserve the traditions which we have had and which we have put aside to follow those bearing a foreign stamp." A cultural movement inspired in Colombia's needs and eager to bring into action all the latent spiritual forces of a country so rich in cultural traditions is a task worthy of these times when every nation of America is struggling to develop a personality enabling it to make an effective contribution to world civilization.

SEEING LATIN AMERICAN PRODUCTS ENTER UNITED STATES INDUSTRIES

By WILLIAM A. REID

Foreign Trade Adviser, Pan American Union

'HROUGH the courtesy of a committee of business executives

of the United States, headed by Mr. John L. Merrill, president of the Pan American Society and of All America Cables (Inc.), the delegates from Latin America attending the Fourth Pan American Commercial Conference held in Washington last October were invited to participate in a tour of some of the leading industrial and commercial centers of the United States at the close of its sessions. It was desired particularly to augment the theoretical discussions of the conference by giving the Latin American delegates an opportunity to come into practical contact with modern industrial and commercial progress in the United States, and in many instances, to see the raw materials of their countries being converted into finished. products in many types of manufacturing establishments.

The trip of more than 2,000 miles was made by train, motor bus, and boat; about a score of cities comprised the itinerary. City officials at various points welcomed the guests and honored them in various ways. The visitors were also received in several private homes and viewed a few football games at some of the famous universities of the country. The following pages describe a few aspects of modernday industry in the United States in which the raw materials of Latin America play an important part.