The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-05-04
SCHOOL FOR
EMPLOYEES
OF RAILROAD
Educational Cars Are Sta.
toned at Various Points
for That Purpose.
TEACHING ENGLISH
AS Well as Other Things to
the Many Foreigners in
the Service.

I BALTIMORE, April Welfare
work OF improving the conditions of
employee is being extensively en-
gagged in By the large railroad and
industrial! corporations throughout
the country, and in this direction
} the work OF the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad in its Mount Glare shops at
Baltimore, OF providing an educa-
tonal system for the employees
speaking foreign languages, is re-
garded as one OF the mos progress
siye measures yet undertaken. The
railroad has fitted up an instruction
car in the year yard at Mount
Clare, where three days week in
structions are gwen the men during
the noon hour in acquainting them
with the language used about them.
"a large amount Of certain classes
of railroad labor IS performed ny
men OF foreign birth. and the Bal
tmore and Ohio believes that by ex-
tending to the men the means of ac-
curing knowledge OF English and
an elementary education they thus
become more worthy OF American
citizenship to which they aspire, are
qu'c ker 10 improve their social con
Iditions ana are better equipped to
earn an honest livelihood.
III the work OF instrueting its EN-
p,oyees the Baltimore and Ohio has
procured the assistance Of the
Young Mems Christian Association
and placed the classes under the d.
rection of Secretary Colin 7. Holm.
Of the West Baltimore branch. Sec
rotary Holm in order to come in ar
tual contact with the men of for
e'gn birth, is regular teacher Of
the classes and Is enthus astic over
the accomplishments of his stu
dents. The Roberts system of
teaching languages is followed, this
being very easy for the men TO
grasp and enabling one teacher to-
instruct an unlimited number OF ma
tonalit!es in single class. The
simple everyday affairs of life are
taught the men. the things the for
eigner needs to know about his
home, his work and commercial life.
\ few Of the subjects embraced I'M
the course are getting up in the
morning" lighting the fire. use
OF table utensils" eating meals,
the man Washing" welcoming a
visitor" beginning the days
work" the railroad laborer al
work" "a mar seeking employ
ment," letter writing going TO
the railway station" home ex-
pense.' "depositing money in the
bank, =" purchasing property, and
various other pursuits of the head
OF the family these subjects being
impaired to the employee by means
OF object lessons and through the
sense of hearing just as child
learns to repeat words from hearing
Others. The foreign speaking men
are drilled in the use OF simple
sentences, which are dramatized by
the teacher acting out the meaning
and the student thus acquires a
knowledge of the use of sentences
rather than Of single words. After
each lesson the student Is given a
lesson sheet with the sentences
printed thereon so that he may
Ipractice at home ana teach his wife
and children, If he be so fortunate
as to have his family in this coun-
try, On the reverse side of the les
son sheet the same sentences are in
SCRIPT, which serves the purpose of
copy-book and, by purchasing pen
and ink, writing can he practiced al
home. In this way the student is
encouraged to utilize every spare
moment for self-improvement. Two
n'ghts a week the men assemble IL
the class rooms of the Y. NJ. c. A..
where the courses are enlarged
upon. IN the night class the rail,
road employees are Instructed in
the laws, constitution and history o
the country and the sacredness q
) A N, african ,,Iti,anrl,s,
\ trade school has also been e.
tablished by the Young Mems Christ
liam Association in cooperation wifi
tho Baltimore and Ohio to provid,
supplementary technical education
for apprentices and others working
in the shops. ANY employe OF III,
baltimore and Ohio may here beglr