The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-18
Thomas Creary Tells of Boys
Side of Apprenticeship"
Instructive Paper by Topeka
Apprentice Instructor.
INCLINATION
Creary Says Boys Should Follow
Natural Abilities.
Other Items of General Interest
in Traffic World.


By Thomas Creary. shop apprentice in
structor. blacksmith shop, Topeka, in
the current number of Santa Fe En-
ployees' Magazine:
The how who, from force of circum-
stances or dislike for study, aoandons
his school work must do one of two
things: He must seek some Klno Oh
employment or boone a loafer. Fortu-
nateIy most boys prefer going to work,
and it is at this period of his life that
the boy begins to look about for some
enplovment that will not only be con-
genial but will also bring him a fair
remuneration for the service rendered
The thoughtful boy also has the future
in mind and takes into consideratl,'h
the possibilities of advancement In the
work he is about to take UP. Large IN
dustrial plants, such as the santa Re
maintains at various places along It's
lines, naturally attract the boys and
many make application for employ
ment, a majority with the intention OF
learning a trade, and few who are I'M
decided It is the boy who files an APP
plication for apprenticeship that have
in mind In many instances he has Il
decided fancy for some particular
trade and again there are quite rev
who do not know just what they WOULD
like to follow.
Were it in my power to direct the
preliminary movements of the prospec-
tive apprentice 1 would have him re-
port at the shops some morning L
would meet him and take him through
the various departments. We would
make a trip leisurely, giving him ample
time for observation and chance to
see what actual shop conditions are. A
trip to the school would also be made,
and then he could see the progressive
lessons in drawing, arithmetic, etc,
giving him an idea of what systematic
effort will do for boy. I would have
him tell me if any particular operation
or process he had witnessed interested
him. and what interested him most. In
this way a boy would be enabled to
better decide just what trade he would
prefer.
/ firmly believe in boy being al
lowed to follow his natural inclination
in regard to mechanics. Boys are too
often the victims of circumstances in
being assigned to trades for which they
have no adaptability. This is often
the result of parental persuasion, the
boys fitness not being at all consid-
cred; and, again, boys are pushed into
trades just because there happens to
be an opening. This is wrong; wrong
to the boy because he never can hope
to attain the high degree of skill and
proficiency he would If allowed to fol-
low the trade of his own choosing;
wrong to the company because of the
low efficiency and perhaps utter fail.
ure which is bound to follow such an
assignment.
After the trip through the shop AMI
school and after the boy has decided
what trade he prefers. then the real
test of his judgment begins. He is
ushered into the shop and begins his
four years term. He sees strange faces
all about him, strange machinery, hears
strange noises and for a time is be-
wildered. He gaZes in wonder at what
IS going on about him and just at this
particular time is apt to become so in
terested in what some one else is do
ing that he forgets for moment what
he himself is doing.
After time all this wears off and he
becomes accustomed to his surround
ings and settles down to business. BY
easy and progressive stages he is be-
ing led along the line of his chosen
work, and if his judgment has beer
good 1t soon crops out in many ways.
When he is told how to do a piece OF
work he readily grasps the idea. He
develops the knack of taking advant-
age of his work in many ways, some
perhaps q trifle crude but it shows
that he has his mind on his work and
is using his brain as we'll as his hands.
He is eager to advance; takes pride in
the quality of his work. He makes
slight mistakes and has his faults, but
both are trivial and, aside from a kind
1y suggestion in the right direction.
should pass unnoticed. A boy contin-
ually nagged becomes discouraged and
disguised but he feels no resentment at
being called down for a breach of dis
cipline or an error caused by careless
ness on his part. He takes pride in
keeping up the quality of his work and
feels that, in estimating time on jobs
that come to him. care should be taken
so that fair schedule may be made,
as he takes pride in keeping up his eff
ficiency as well as the quality of his
work. He is not insensible to a COM
pliment passed by his foreman or in
structor regarding the general excel
lence of his work.
Some boys have not the faculty of
seeing into things mechanical as read
lily as others. This should be noted and
a special effort made to get the boy
Strengthened out. If, after a fair trial
the boy shows no adaptabilty he
should be released and allowed to take
up something better suited to his
talents.
The boy who makes good during the
probationary period should not be an
chored to one job so long that it will
become tiresome. He is eager to forge
ahead and his progress should be linn
tied only by his ability and develop
ment. bright boy pushed ahead will
serve as an example for the laggards
and will stimulate an increased effort
on their part to get close to the leader
AS he progresses along his four-year
course of shop practice. his hands be-
coming more skilled toch day, it dawns
upon him that by the skill of his hands
alone his future advancement will be
uncertain. With this thought upper
most In his, mind he sets to work to
develop his mental powers. Aside from
an Increased interest in his regular
school work he provides himself with
good books concerning his particular
craft: he also subscribes for magazine
published in the interest of his branch
OF mechanics. and in this way keeps in
touch with all that is new and progress
siVe in his line.
In the daily papers he frequently
reads of some man being appointed to a.
higher position in the railway world.
He notes with interest the story of the
mans rise from the bottom of the lad
der All brought about bY his own