Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-12-07

i"ISeu the prices.
me y seniors earn .......,.....A,l35
rhe 20 juniors earn ............. $3.50
rhe 20 sophomorcs earn ...... 1850
LOS
Here, then is strong inducement
FOR the boy 10 continue in school; he
can earn pome money; in fact he gets
more than he could by going out and
taking ordinary jobs I'm stores or offices
Again. many parents cannot afford to
Keep their children in school under the
usual conditions. This furnishes the boys
an opportunity for contributing to their
support and a chance to continue their
education During the first year one of
our cooperative students was the only
support of the family for several months
When there is vacation week in
school, work is provided in the shops
so that the boy doesn't have to loaf
around the street with his hands in his
pockets looking for mischief. These
periods add to the amount | have just
Indicated as his yearly wage.
Every candidate is given trial
period of two months. beginning immc-
diately at the close of school In June,
ana If he likes the work and shows
aptitude for the trade he takes the
course; otherwise he drops out and, If he
chooses, takes up some other course IN
the nigh school. Thus We give the hoy
an opportunity to find himself. some
hing hitherto lacking in our schools"
Mr.. Slmonds told something of how the
plan has worked with the manufacturers.
Speaking of the agreement which the
hoys have to sign, Mr.. Simonds said It
taught the boys the value of an obliga-
lion. He said that the proposition could
not be conducted by the high school au
thorities alone, but that tho manufac-
tt1rers had a duty toward the boys in
making them feel that they were not put
into the shops to fool away their tm,.
hut 10 learn how and why things are
done in certain ways No visitors are
allowed to talk TO the boys in the fac
tories, he said and they are not put
ahead of any Of the regular apprentice
boys. The manufacturer agrees in the
contract to teach the boy all the
branches OF his trade
THE SCHEME IN BURLINGTON.
After the plan had been outlined
there was general discussion of how
he scheme could be made to apply in
Burlington. 1t was conceded that the
conditions here are much different
than in Fitchhurg, where there arc
numerous metal working concerns
but IT was thought that the plan could
be made to work successfully here.
Principal NJ. n. Chittenden, who was
an interested listener during Mr.
Hunters and Mr.. Slnonds's remark I
stated that he was very favorably i'm
pressed with the idea and could say
for Superintendent Wheeler and mem
bers of the school board that the edu-
cationh authorities stood ready to Dc
anything that can be done for the
educational advancement of tine city
Mr.. Chittenden said he was not In
favor Of throwing out the academic
courses in the high school to make
room for such a department, but he
believed such n proposition would re-
suit in a much larger attendance a,
ducement for many boys to attend
school If they could earn a living 81
he same time.
Mr.. Chittenden presented some fig
ures he had prepared showing that il
burlington there were 1855 textile
workers, 1859 woodworhers % iron
| workers and 100 printers beside q
large number of persons engaged n
other lines of work. He said h
thought the scheme could be worked
out In Burlington as readily as IN
I'itchburg if the problem were met I:
the right way.
The whole proposition was discussec
at length by Prof. Charles w. Mixter
Prof. Edward Robinson. ex-NIayol
James +. Burke, T h. Wright. George
u. Jarvis and others. 1t is probable
| that the matter will be given further
consideration within a snort time.