The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-18
Are They Being Displaced in Trades9
The Complaint That Our Younge-
sters No Longer LIE IN Trades,
And That Germany Ia Nation to
Emulate is Not True.
A Report on the Question by a Ger.
man Commercial Agent,
Showing That American Boys WIT
Serve Apprenticeship Are as Many
in Numbers as German Boys
General Washington Nows.

WASHINGTON. April l7.--For years cry
has gone up in this country that sons OF
American parents would no longer APP
prentice themselves TO learn trades. and
that they would soon DO driven TO the
wall by tho superior skill OF foreigners
who would emigrate to America. Ger
many has been pointed TO as country
worthy OF emulation and one in which the
young men were thoroughly trained to
useful occupations, but report received
by the Department OF State from CONNER
cial Agent Smith, OF Mayence, on FAC
tory Operatives and Apprentices In Ger.
many" would indicate that the sons Of
the Fatherland are by no means so will
ing aud ready to submit themselves to
apprenticeship as hasibeen stated.
Mr.. Smith says; There is but slight
disposition among manufacturers to pro-
vide themselves with skilled laborers by
training up apprentices. For this disin-
clination on the part Of manufacturers TO
take and train up apprentices various rea-
sons are given. One objection often made
is that youths want too much freedom
nowadays and that the factories, on ac-
count OF the mode OF working In vogue in
them, are not adapted TO apprentices. An
apprentice needs good deal Of attention
and requires strong control, and this can
not well be given Ia the factories. There
Is too much freedom In them. Bows do
not care 10 bind themselves 10 term OF
years, but prefer 10 20 In factories M day
labOrers with the right 10 quit when they
please, and besides they generally get bet.
ter wages 10 start with. Another objec-
ton Is that the law does not allow minors
under sixteen years OF age 10 be employed
more than ten hours day In the facto-
ries, and makes other restrictions respect
ing them, which are not applied 10 me
chanic's apprentices. The objection most
frequently urged, however, Is that the APP
prenticcs do not want 20 serve their full
time out, and when they have acquired n
trade, leave those OF whom they have
learned II 10 10 10 some one else.
There is less running awny done by APP
prentices than few years ago, even
where there is no y item contract.
This Is said 10 % becaus Ia
labor In general has become more stable,
and because apprentice are paid better
wages toward tho close Of their apprcn-
ticcships than formerly. Besides the In.
struciion which apprcnces get in factories
themselves, there are particular schools
and institutions for linparting 10 them
general knowledge OF fitting them for the
special vocations they are pursuing, such
as night schools, trade and art schools,
museums, libraries aud workingmcn's
clubs. for general or special improvement.
The indualrlal schools cannot really be
regarded ~ institutions for the schooling
aud training oi apprentices, ~ attendance
upon them frequently calls for 20 much
time that a young man cannot very well
serve an apprenticeship In any industrial
establishment aud attend them also. Sta.
iistics Of total number Of apprentices are
no; given, but the report says that In 3, 267
factories in Berlin there were 400 APP
preniiccs. This II % apprentices 20 every
1000 workmen, too small a number, the
inspector for the district thinks, 20 supply
the bosses, ioremen and skilled workmen
needed. The general report Of the In
spectors Is that apprentices are not en-
ploycd In too great proportion 10 adult
wofkmen, except In some particular branch
Of industry and by small establishments.
where a good deal Of hand labor Is used.
Complaints, however, Of tho employment
Of too large a number OF apprentices are
noted from various industries.
Tho reports OF the factory inspectors
state that business during the year was
good, and that general improvement
manifested itself, especially during the last
six months Of the year. Activity prevailed
In many works which In 1886 had with
difficulty been able 10 keep their men em.
ployod, and the shortening Of the hours Of
labor, which had been Of frequent occur.
renee on account Of falling of Of orders,
came generally 10 a stop. and an Increased
employment Of labor succeeded thereto.
The general improvement Of business,
which thus begud In 1887, continued
throughout 1888 10 an increased extent.
which Is said by one Of the leading journals
/ t.aK atua.. IATuJI