The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-23

| made to apply to the smaller industrial
| concerns, where the best working
| conditions prevail, but must apply al
most exclusively to the Santa Fe rail-
road shops, where the employees have
| absolutely no voice in their own indus
| trial warfare, and where apprentices
are not given an opportunity to obtain
thorough training in the trades. but
are kept at routine work In special
lines, thus making of them expert ma
chlne tenders rather than skilled me-
chanics; and
Whereas, Trade unions have for
years made study of industrial sub
Jects and are especially qualified to
deal with the apprentice question from
inside, practical everyday experience,
and know the importance of thorough
trade training under favorable work
ing conditions; and
whereas, The promoters of the plan
over the environment or conditions of
employment of the students while at
work in the shops; and
whereas, The working people of the
city, by reason of having the greater
number of pupils in the schools. as
Wen as by reason of having to pay the
greater portion of the taxes for their
support, have a corresponding interest
in the educational methods which thew
are conducted; and
whereas, The report OF the state Su-
peflntendent of public instruction shows
That IN the frsr-class cities of the state
put 45 per cent, and in the city of
Iopeka only 40 per cent. of the pupils
complete the eighth grade of the gram
mar school; and as the children of the
working class are the first to be forced
out OF school it is apparent that onIy
n exceptional cases do they ever reach
the high school at all. to say nothing
OF being able to finish any prescribed
course; therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Topeka Industrial
Council, That in view Of the deplora ble
WORKING conditions oil
only industrial concern to which this
so-called cooperative undertaking
scheme could practically be made to APP
ply, we take this occasion to enter orr
protest against it. as it is believed no
substantial benefit would accrue to the
students who take UP the course, so far
as the shop-practice feature is con-
cerned.
Resolved, That if this course of study
IS continued, over the protest of or
ganized labor of this city and students
OF the high school are actually put out
into the factories and shops in pursu-
ance OF the plan, we insist that, in JUS
tice to the students, they be placed
only in institutions in which the work
men are organized and have a voice
as to the conditions under which they
shall work, and where the apprentices
themselves may be given a broad and
thorough trade training in an environ
ment in which the workmen may assert
their manhood and self-respect without
being subject to discharge
Resolved, That we favor more efficient
and thorough work in the grade schools
of the city. so that the children who
by force of circumstances are unable
10 pursue their studies long enough to
reach the high school may have a bet
ter training in the fundamental
branches. ard may enter the struggle
for a livelihood with the very best ed
eational equipment that it is possible
for the public schools to give them in
the short time they are privileged to
attend