Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-03
THE APPRENTICE QUESTION.
WHY 1T Is DIFFICULT FOR BOYS To GET PLACES
TO LEARN TRADES-A TALK WITH A LEADING
TRADES UNION MANTLE NEED OF WELL
CONSIDERED APPRENTICE LAW.

TO LEARN TRADEs-A TALK WITH LEADING
TRADES UNION MANTLE NEED OF WELL
CONSIDERED APPRENTICE LAW.
There has been much said In the past few
years as to tho difficulty of obtaining places for
boys to learn trades. It has been asserted that
1t Is because Of the rules adopted by the trades
unions and other labor associations that to-day
there are so many young men on the streets
without the means of making living by manual
labor. Some of the union men of this city claim
that there is too much blame attached to the
labor organizations. and that one of the main
objects of the Federation of Labor recently or
.-liZed here is the; securement Of the passage
of law by Congress in reference to apprentices.
WHAT tsAn,T'a. TRADES UNION MAN SAYS.
leader in the ",Fnion Movement" speaking
to STAR reporter upon the opposition to the
movement because of the difficulty Of boys find
ing places to learn trade, remarked. ''Yes
the poor working man must take the blame
but it doesn't belong to him. The fact
ls that the only apprentice law we
have here is an old Maryland statute. aud it is
obsolete. Now we want law that viii be fair
for the bosses the l0urs. and the men The old
law was @ tvrannieal MEASURE and finally be-
came imperative. It was about on its last legs
ABOUT tho time tire slaves were freed. The
bosses themselves did much to make the law in
operative. You will ask hOw3 Well every man
looks to his own Interest and in the early part
OF the war there was not much fraternal feeling
between bosses, especially of the same trade.
The apprentice law in old times was made the
instrument Of oppression. Formerly q boy was
expected TO serve seven years at trade. and
during the first years the boy was not only a
drudge ut the shop and in the building but at
his employers house. where, by splitting wood
bringing water. and doing chores, he saved the
expense Of servant. OF course. as far as the
trade is concerned, An apprentice during the
first few months, and in some branches for q
year or two, is of no profit to the boss. This
every boss knew then "a well as now. Owing to
the nOn-enforcement of the law some years be-
fore the war it was virtually obsolete as to most
trades. and about the time slavery was abolished
the apprentice system died in the District"
WHO ARE TO BIZ BLAMED.
''Then the bosses are to blame as well as the
Journey,nen?" said the reporter
why of course" said the union man. 'The
system Of taking young men under Instructions
was adopted by many bosses. for it was to them
an advantage. Many such young men were athletic
do full days work, and they helped as much
as the jours to do away with the old law"
1.-THE journeymen, said the STAR man would
prefer an apprentice law If understand yOu?"
Eyes that is every 1air-minded mechanic" said
the labor man will rejoice if there is q gen.
eral apprentice law passed, which can lie en-
forced. What is the use of taking apprentices
now? Look at my business. If there was one
in this shop he'd be of no profit to the boss for
six or eight months, or perhaps longer: and
when he can do little work he may if he chooses
run off to work under instructions, and snap
his finger at the boss. Let us have q good law
well considered, and in such terms that it can
not be used to Cypress, and the workingmen
will all be better OF for it !"