East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-07-24

The erection of the splendid
wrought iron lamps at the corners and
entrances of the big buildings on
Seventeenth street has been delayed
owing to the difficulty in securing
enough competent workmen.
Hammering iron by hand, into fam
ciful and beautiful designs, is an an
cient craft which combines artistic
comprehension with hand skill.
Nearly all the men capable of this
artistic work, employed by the Denver
Iron and Wire works, are Germans.
President Frank White, of the iron
works, says he has secured the coun-
try for this type of craftsmen in vain.
Consequently, though he has a
number of fixtures ready to affix-
the most elaborate and beautiful
erected so far-he has not been able
to make the quick progress expected.
This circumstances suggests the
thought that there is something radi-
cally wrong with our system-or lack
of system-in the vital matter OF
skilled workmen.
AS a matter of fact, does any sys-
tenn exist, at all. on the part of en-
ployers, labor organizations, or gov
ernment, for the purpose of preserv-
ing and promoting craftsmanship?
Some individual employers have
customs of their own to create skilled
workmen but never heard of
trades union conducting a school or
convention for the purpose of encour-
aging skill in any hand craft
This is mainly due to the fact that
employers place a premium on iGnor-
ance by small wages.
While the professions hold conven-
tions and discuss new methods and
discoveries, the trades unions seem to
let their basic business-skill-tak
care of itself.
The United States government
teaches trades to Indian boys. Con-
victs are taught to become artisans in
the state prisons. And that's about
all.
one of the most vital necessities of
civilization-for by skill do men earn
their bread as we'll as advance society
is left to hap-hazard conditions.
There are thousands of men out of
employment. always, because they
have no skill in anything in particu-
lar.
Jack London. in his recent preach
ment about the war of the classes,
argues that the army of unemployed
is an Inevitable feature of the COM
petitive system. and. doubtless, he
would say that more skilled workmen
would not change the situation but
really make It worse. for the market
OF wage value of skill would decline.
! I don't believe It, because skill en-
courages the production of finer
things, II creates wants and necessi-
ties, hitherto not necessities: in other
words, it produces wealth.
The difference between the wealth
of America and other countries lies
used by everybody-the difference in
vehicles, in tools. in articles of con-
venience. in machinery. in everything
from a fountain pen to a railway
train.
And 7 think it is a weak point to
lavish everything on the skill of the
engineers in inventing and perfecting
machines and neglect the crafts.
We have schools galore turning out
engineers-and none teaching crafts.
That is lop-sided situation.
will ask the socialist II a social
istic government would not regard
teaching the boys the skilled avoca-
tions as fundamental necessity
quite as necessary as our present ac-
eeptance Of universal education?
The answer is bound TO he "yes"
because the very purpose of socialism
otherwise would fail.
We are having a terrific time with
a lot Of public questions, but here IS
one that is eschewed though it is as
practical and vital as honesty of pub
lie officers railway rates, etc.
The text Of the article comes home
TO US. Patronizing home industry is
always commendable and It should be
the rule to give the home manufec-
turer the preference.
But price and quality are elements
that cannot be set aside for any rea-
son-likewise ability to deliver the
goods or complete the contract on
time.
The home manufacturer must be
able to compete with the outsider. n
he can't compete, owing to any rea-
son, the work must be sent else
where.-Paul Thleman in Denver
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