The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1908-07-23

EDUCATION
Unique Efforts of typographical
Union to Offset Lack Of APP
premiership System in That
Trade.

The International Typographical
Union has gone into the trade
educational field with much de-
termination and some zest. This
would seem to refute the popular
belief that trade unions are OPP
posed to industrial education
Union men say their opposition is
reserved for those systems which
are spurious or do not aim to ele-
vate the student, but have some
Interior. purpose in view. The
Unions course does not undertake
to ''make" printers in few
months or years. 1t does aim to
aid the man at the business who
is a sufferer from a laX--or lack Of
apprenticeship system to become
a more proficient workman. Con-
sible at this time to establish
schools with an adequate equip
ment at a sufficient number of
points to make them effective.
Fortunately, however, important
phases of the craft lend themselves
to instruction by correspondence
if effective methods are used.
And these methods the Unions
commission on supplemental edu-
cation believes it as developed.
1t even thinks it has a system
which will meet the needs of COM
positors more satisfactorily than
the old apprenticeship system
could. The student will be
thoroughly grounded in the prin-
ciples undertaking present, day
printing and then taken through
various branches of the trade,
Having firmly grasped the funda-
mental principles, the Students
mental powers will be fired to
know and do. Under the tutelage
of the instructors of the course he
will travel farther and on safer
road than he could if learning by
the rule of thumb, picking up
ideas or half developing ideas here
and there without al y well defined
conception :as to their origin or
purpose.
The printed lessons of the course
are a mine of information to almost
every printer, but the merit of the
course lies in the detailed criticism
of his work which is given every
student by an expert on the subject
of the lesson. THE close touch
does not cease with the thirty seven
lessons, but continues indefinitely
that is, the successful student
may at any time consult those
experts on any technical problem
which may arise to vex him. The
advantages of this will be apparent
to every artisan who has at times
yearned to know what he should
do and why he should do it.
The course costs but 800 (Which
includes an outfit which would
retail at about S5). This is as
near actual cost as could be an.
proximated. To encourage print
ers in taking the course, the Union
offers rebate or prize of $5 to
every one who shows persistency
and diligence. Employers are
invited to supplement the Unions
prize and some are doing SO. This
system OF reward was adopted in
reference TO giving prizes to few
OF the exceptionally proficient be-
cause 1T is more equitable and the
Union is particularly DESTROYS of
reaching and helping the average
man, who is the greatest sufferer
from our lack of an apprenticeship
system. Full information can he
obtained by writing the I. T. U.
Commission, 100 Sherman street,
Chicago, ILL.,, which is charged
with the duty of promoting sup
plementlng trade education among
printers.