The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-05-26
OUR HOME INDUSTRIES.
A Technical School to be Established
for Their Enhancement.
A PROSPECTUS NEARLY READY.
The Scheme Contemplates Complete and
Practical Instruction In the Details of
Textile Manufacture, and Preparation
of Brainy Young Men to Run Our Mills.

The projectors of the Rhode Island In
dustrial exhibition have nearly COM
pleted a prospectus, copies Of which they
will distribute in about ten days. As the
readers of the News are aware the inten-
tions of the gentlemen who are behind
this scheme are TO lease the old State
prison property, to alter the present
buildings and construct annexes, and TO
set up and maintain permanent exhiDi-
ton of all the products of Rhode Island
mills and manufacturing houses.
There will be not less than $500, 600
needed for the work, as there is to be estab-
lished in connection with the exhibition u
permanent school of technology.
The idea is To set up in one OF the an
nexes the machinery which may be con-
tributed or loaned, and to maintain a
technical school, SECOND TO none in the
world, with an unsurpassed curriculum
and with especial attention to the manu-
facture of the textile fabrics that are now
manufactured in the State.
President Thompson OF the Advance
Club, who takes lively interest in the
proposed exhibition, says that the great
est need that this 5 ate has Is the instruc-
tion of the young men who are to I'LL the
places of the present manufacturers.
The average "boss" of a department
knows the one thing that is done in that
department of the mill. He knows 1t
we'll, but in some instances he is unable
to impart that knowledge to others, by
reason of want OF tact or OF explanatory
facilities, or he knows it well and will
not impart to Others what he knows, pro-
ceeding as he does under the conviction
that he possesses trade secrets which are
his stock in trade. Both classes are inju-
rious To the future OF our manufacturers,
the one unknowingly. the other with full
knowledge of what he is doing and with "a
complete realization that future genera
tions will need the advantages which
the technical knowledge he can but will
not impart.
What the school Will Teach.
When the technical school is established
it is the purpose of its projectors to give
to the young man complete instruction in
every branch of the business he may
choose to follow. If it is the manufac-
ture of woolen goods to teach him what
good wool is; how it should be cared for
and prepared how it should be spun and
woven; how the cloth should be treated,
etc. lie will be taught how to care for,
regulate and repair the machinery-that
is such repairs as are generally made in
the mill aud without recourse To the ma
chine shop where the heavier work must
necessarily be done.
The same course of instruction will be
laboratory, where knowledge will be inn
parted to those who may seek to pene-
Irate into the secrets of the dyes aud the
chemical treatments of textile fabrics
Due attention will be paid to the mechani-
cal pursuits that are analogous TO o UT
home industries, all looking to the one
idea of so preparing the students that
when they shall enter the mills and work
shops they shall have that instruction
which will enable them to understand
every portion of the work they may be
called upon to perform.
The projectors of the school do not
start in with the theory that in the school
room one can learn to be a manufacturer;
the folly of such an idea was established
when one of the Eastern colleges undertook
to turn out editors aud journalists as one
would grind out u grisJ of flour. The de-
tails of newspaper business are learned
by experience, aud the successful editor
and publisher as rule starts in at the
lower end of the ladder; so with the
manufacturers, Mr. Thompson says. He
cannot be made in a school aud turned
out completed article. The school will
show him the practical know-how and
the mill will show him how to success
fully apply the know-how and enable him
to save time and escape many of the dis
asters which have wrecked others who
possessed pretty good knowledge OF one
branch Of All industry, and u superficial
knowledge OF the workings OF the whole
plant.
With such a school, with such practical
teachings, with the better intelligence
which will be brought to bear upon our
manufactures, Mr.. Thompson believes
ufacturing centre will be great, be bril-
liant, be powerful.
The Location Of the School.
- l.
the very best for the future of Provi-
dence. 1t and the permanent industrial
exhibition will be very near the new
Union Passenger Station. The latter,
when completed. will be surrounded by a
public garden IL the Advance Club and
its many influential friends can encom
pass that improvement, which will rival
the garden which has made Boston so fa-
nous. Near by, aud on the southern
slope of Smith, Hiil, viii, so Mr. -fhomp
son believes, be located the new State
House.
He says that there has been wonderful
change of sentiment as regards the site
for the State House, and that the public
are beginning to see that IL we are to
have new State House it should be so
located as TO command view of the en-
tire business centre of the city, aud to be
looked up to and not hidden behind other
and antique structures.
The fact that the new Athletic Club
building is to be located where IL will
face the new depot and the public garden
speaks well for the future OF that portion
OF the city, which is TO be frightened UP
and present cheerful appearance to the
people as they pass through the munich
pality.
Mr.. Thompson says that the members
Of the Advance Club can see wonderful
strides that have been made in the line of
and in the next five wears
Providence will see such changes for the
better that those who have the welfare,
the advancement OF the city at heart will
be greatly encouraged.
As To the subscriptions for the perma-
nent exhibition aud the technical school,
they will be completed this year. A meet
Ing Of the gentlemen who are behind the
project was held "A few evenings ago aud
toe work was divided among competent
the members OF which will
n quiet way solicit subscriptions of
money. machinery aud exhibits and in
,uuch way as to enlist aid and awaken
a healthy sentiment i'm favor Of the work
hat is TO be done.
MAYFLOwER LODGE.
Last Evening ~ Celebrated its Ninst a. m an