Again from the historical sketch by Ms. Morrison: “Also when the road was being built over the pass (Still working on that one – Cuesta Grade) the contractors found it impossible to get trained men to do the work. Cement workers were brought all the way from Norway and contractors as well as railroad officials began to realize that men must be trained in the trades if this country ever was to develop as European countries had. Germany may be cited as an example of what such training can do for it. Germany has had trade or polytechnic schools for many, many years. Its people, by their skill had brought it to the very foremost rank among nations in manufacturing”….

The need for polytechnic type education is still strong today.
By some it has also contributed to the better social structure we have today and facilitated the development of the middle class.
Polytechnic education has also been proven of paramount importance during war.

Germany still has a better overall transportation system than the US (and makes better automobiles!) although the local propaganda argues the opposite.