The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-01-19

tention Of the citizens Of this country
as never before and much interest is
being shown in this matter by men
Of affairs, publicists, and leading man.
ufacturers, who all feel that if our
country is to maintain it's commercial
supremacy and it's prestige as a man
ufaeturing center from which the
worlds markets can be supplied with
commodities in which Germany, Great
Britain, France and other countries in
Europe are our keen competitors, that
something has to be done, and to be
done quickly, to provide means for
supplying the growing demand for
skilled labor In the various trades, as,
owing to the present system of train
ing by apprenticeship or, rather, the
lack of that system, there will surely
be dearth Of capable men fitted to
take charge of work; the supply for
which Is fully met by the methods Of
technical training in other countries
and notably so in Germany.
The question therefore of industrial
education as factor in the industrial
development Of the United States is
was recently crystallized by the form
alton Of an organizat ton known as the
National Society for the Promotion
Of Industrial Education" An organic
alton meeting was held at Cooper
Union, New York, on Friday, the 18th
OF December, where every section Of
the country was represented by lead
ing citizens deeply interested in the
work which the National Society will
undertake in preaching the Gospel Of
industrial education, and by it's efforts
strive to promote the introduction Of
trade-schOOls In our cities, where the
son of the Wage-earner can secure an
education along technical lines, which
will thoroughly equip him for the trade
which he may select as his life work,
and whereby he can enter upon his
career with a practical knowledge of
his craft that will make him not only
good workman capable of earning a
remunerative wage, but which will also
qualify him for assuming the respon-
s1ble position Of foreman or superin-
tendent when opportunity affords.
Two years ago Governor Douglas of
for the purpose Of ascertaining the
| needs Of Industrial education in the
State Of Massachusetts, and the work
| that has been accomplished by the in
| dustrial schools in Massachusetts and
| other states. The result Of this in
| vestigation was recommendation by
the Governor that state aid be furnish
! ed to establish Industrial schools, this
proposition, however, was opposed by
many Of the trades unions Of the state
It is said that If this one state were
to maintain system of industrial
schools equal to the Prussian system
IT would have three hundred trade
schoox. Such schools would nbt sup
plant the present public school sys-
tenn, but would supplement It by tax
ing away only such pupils as are te
make their living in one or another
special craft, trade or manufacture.
Germany without the great natura
resources of this country and handi-
capped with many disadvantages with
which 1t has to contend, such as a
scant supply Of coal and a very poor
quality at that, and the necessity OF
l
| will yet in the future be one of the
most formidable competitors in the
worlds markets with which the man.
ufacturers Of this country has to con.
tend. The industrial progress Of Ger.
many is largely due to it's system OF
trade-schools, which have raised the
efficiency Of German workmen to {
high standard.
The average American workman i:
intelligent and ambitious to improve
his position, and he himself sees thu
advantage Of getting his skill in hi!
trade or craft as early in life as i!
possible, and he knows that the young
er generation must needs supply thu
skilled labor Of the near future, and il
anxious that his children should b,
afforded means whereby they can b.
equipped through the agency Of tn
trade-school to start out with ever!
encouragement toward making a sue
cess of their. life work.
While 1 think the above is true of
great majority Of the workmen of thi
country, yet it is also true that Their
is an element, especially among agitat
OiS anu ue1ndSOgueS, VINO Tor SelflSl
reasons are DESTROYS Of keeping me
chanics and workingmen in ignoranc
Of the great advantages accruing t.
them and their families from tn
establishment Of a system Of industri
al schools throughout the country, an
who will endeavor to propagate a feel
ing Of mistrust which will discreet
the motives actuating public spirite
citizens who are endeavorng to secur
the inauguration of these schools
whereby knowledge and therefore tn
efficiency Of the workers of today ma
be greatly increased, and which vii
prove benefaction not only to tn
individual but to the country at large
The opposition Of this class Of agitato
to the establishment of industria
schools will be Of the same nature a
the opposition of the past in regar
to the introduction Of improved ma
chinery, which, while it has material
ly reduced the cost Of labor, vet ha
opened up new avenues Of lucrativ
employment for larger numbers O