The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-19
Excellent Apprentice System
Practieed on Santa Fe.
Boys Are Taught Their Trades
From Every Viewpoint.
NO NEEDOF EDUCATION
College Men No More Attractive
Than Others.
Other Items of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.
NO NEEDOF EDUCATION

Boys and young men who are look
ing forward TO the time when school
days viii be over and real work viii
begin will be interested in she follow
ing paper recently read before the
United BrotherhOods of the Highland
churches by G L Berudstou, material
supervisor for the Santa Fe railroad
in Albuquerque:
The difficulties encountered on the
Santa Fe in obtaining labor qualified
with the skill and Intelligence to
make efficient workmen under mod
eru conditions have brought about an
entirely new and untried method OF
training boys and young men IN the
different trades and OCCUPATIONS en-
pIoyed by railroad companies Wnen
I say new and untried I mean new
and untrIed until this company N
augurzted its present system
What we need today for the more
efficient and economical operation ana
maintenance of our railways Is train
ed. skilled and careful men To OBJ
tain them. this company has gone to
q great deal Of expense and trouble in
establishing schools in which to train
and educate boys to become such men
as we are in need Of
A little over two years ago these
schools were established at nine OF
the principal shops on the system 4
supervisor of apprentices was ap-
pointed. whose sole duty les in over
seeing this great work and in organ
iziug and keeping complete a staff OF
competent instructors for the shop
work, as well as the school rooms
Each shop has its school room,
thoroughly equipped with desks.
drawing tables. blackboards, patterns.
models and other. implements Of in
structiOn- Each apprentice Is re-
qUfred to attend school two hours
day two days = week During this
time he is paid just the same as
though he were at work in the shop
Work Planned in Topeka
All lessons, drawing sheets and
problems are made up in standard
OF apprentices at Topeka and sent out
from there to the different schools at
other points on the system All
schools have their local apprentice IN
structors. who are practical men. first
class craftsmen and thoroughly fani-
liar with the shop methods OF the
company. In addition to the school
Instructors there are shop instructors,
whose duty is to look after the boys
while they are engaged in shop work
The greatest care IS exercised In Sc
leeting boys for apprentices with the
object in view Of improving the per-
sonnet OF the body by obtaining good.
strong and healthy boys. who have at
=
The superintendent Of shops or mas
ter mechanic, as the case may be. per-
sonalIy interviews each applicant He
must also give the names and ad-
dresses OF several responsible parties
who have known him for at least two
years In this way the company can
learn Of the applicants previous hab-
its and form an idea of his general
worthiness-
No Need OF Good Education
Although education is the corner
stone on which all great mechanical
achievements have been built, the
lack Of it IS no bar TO a boy entering
the field under modern conditions
Our apprentice schools furnish what Is
needfuI when it is needed. and with
out the ofteu-t5neS confusing friIIS
and trimmings On the other hand q
high school OF a technical education is
one Of the greatest helps 4 young man
could have It viii tighten his burden
in the shop and in the school room
Even che possession Of a university
degree Is not any too much knowledge
with which to enter any OF the trades
employed on our railways today
DO not think that a young man with
s. university education could enter any
profession OF calling at which he could
command the salary or remuneration
which would be his after completing
an apprenticeship as q machfnist- boil
ermaksr. blacksmith or any OF the
other trades
our apprentice system is attracting
some Of the best and brightest boys
in the country, not only in an educa-
tfonaI way and for what they may
Tearu- but from the practical stand
rlOiut Of dollars and cents The aver
age pay Of an apprentice Is $1-35 per
cav which makes the boy SeH-sup-
Tortiug while he is learning In i'd
Fftfou to this stipulated amount he
nav increase his income Indefinitely,
3 according to his ambition and energy