Evening journal., 1909-11-01
ORGANIZED LABOR
And EDUCATION
A. F. Of L. to Discuss Subject
at Toronto Meeting Next
Week


WASHINGTON, ID C, Nov. lone OF
the most important questions which will
come before the American Federation or
Labor at its annual convention I'm To-
ronto, November s. is the rc.ation Of or
ganized labor to industrial ed Ication. The
question was raised at the Denver meet
ing last year, when the proportion was
advanced that the education of workmen
In trades not under union auspices
threatened the cause OF union labor A
committee was appointed representing a
number OF trades and headed by John
Mitchell, TO consider the problem in all
its phases and held a meeting ih Wash
ington a few days ago at which a large
number Of the foremost educators in the
country appeared and gave their views.
Four systems Of education applied 10 in
dustries were considered. the manual
training schools. the trade schools. the
apprentice system and the system or
education through correspondence. Each
was represented by one or more educa-
tors of wide experience and high re-
pute and the papers were heard with close
attention by the members OF the commit
tee. With the system Of manual train
ing and trade schools the public is ia
mliar. but facts Of considerable inter
est were presented concerning the ap-
prentice school system and 6orrespondence
school system by G.. w. Cross supcriu-
tendent Of Apprentices for the New York
Central Lines. and Louis A. Osborne. or
Scranton, who spoke for the correspon-
dence schools OF that and other cities.
The trend OF argument was the manual
training schools and trade schools both
were excellent and had a distinct mis-
sion. vet they could reach at best only
a limited number Of men and boys OF
mostly under conditions dissimnar TO
those which surround them in the shops
Because OF this Mr. Cross argued that
employees should establish apprentice
schools Of their own. to educate workmen
under the shop discipline and conditions
peculiar to their own establishments. IL.
detailed at length the system employe
by the New York Central lines whic'
maintain such schools under compete
working instructors and where the cour
Of study is intensely practical as
piled 20 engine and ear construction az
other shop work The entire plan. ]
stated. was arranged for the learner WI
must begin at the bottom. and who lear
ed to do a thing by actually doing u
At the expiration Of the three years cour
those who satisfactorily complete the
studies are given certificate which @
titles them 10 preference in employmc
at all shops on the New York Centr
lines. The system Of technical educa
ton by correspondence. as explained by
Mr.. Osborne. was one especially design
ed to reach those who could not. for vari'
Gus reasons, attend schools OF any
kind.
While the committee has not finished it'
deliberations Il is understood that its re-
port will be favorable TO all classes OF
instruction designed TO reach ipdustria
workers. particularly the apprentice sys
tenn and correspondence school system az
tending 10 be in closer touch, perhaps
with organized labor than the manus
training schools. II is expected that a
its next annual meeting the American
Federation Of Labor will take pro
nounced and advanced stand favorable e
Industrial education designed TO keep tn
American workman at the top Of skilled
labor.