Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-07
PRINTING ART IS BEING
TAUGHT TO F|L|P|N0S
Island Bureau Now Composed
of 81 Per Cent Natives,
J. S. Leech Reports.

How the introduction OF a vocational
system of training in the bureau of print
ing of the Philippine government has re-
suited in instructing a large number of
natives in tho printing art and adding
much to the general welfare Of the
islands is set forth In the last annual re-
port of John s. Leech as director of
printing In the Philippines, just received
here.
As result of this system an all-Amer-
lean force in the bureau of printing in
1892 has been changed to force now
composed of "a per cent of Filipino work
men, thus giving many natives the op-
portunity OF becoming proficient in their
chosen trade. The system has been COM
mended by leading educators and print
ing experts in all parts of the United
States.
Standardizes Technical Training.
In a passage in the report headed THE
System in Tabloid MIR. Leech says that
1T standardizes technical training by the
adoption of q concise but comprehensive
method of instruction, impaired in the
orderly progression of an invariable
schedule Thus the component parts of
all the correlative branches of the print
ing trade are analysed, and the working
operations of each of its divisions are
segregated into spec4alties and Subspe-
ciaIties. These in turn are grouped into
classes. forming q systematic and CO.
ordinate sequence of Instructions step
by-step advancement, which IS as neces-
sary to the proper industrial education of
Il boy as are the finger exercises iii the
requirement of u finished technique By
musician.
Under this system the apprentices are
graded in six classes, above which come
junior craftsmen and craftsmen In the
year ended June 30 last twenty juniors
advanced to the rank of craftsman, and
nineteen OF class | were promoted to
juniors. There was a similar advance
all along the line. and the total of 100
apprentices was distributed over all the
divisions of the big plant.
The Filipino employees of the bureau
a'so include 113 craftsmen, and from this
rank it IS that the bureau is able to hon
or all the requests OF owners OF com
lnercial printing houses for workmen,
trained craftsmen being allowed to re-
ign in order to accept such employment.
Broad View Is Taken.
This says Mr. Leech. would seem
70 be an Improbable procedure. inasmuch
as the bureau releases workmen 1T q
time when they have probably attained
their maximum productiveness, and upon
whose education years of effort have been
spent However the broader view is
taken that in the course of time these
trained workmen will be responsible for
. higher standard among commercial
printers, and their separation creates va
cancies which afford opportunities for
others to acquire q trade"
Only one recommendation IS made by
Mr. Leech in his report, and that has
been made in every report since 1905
hot nav q nr0vi6pd
bureau He points out that there is
much congestion, and that this can only
DC relieved by the provision of more flooi
space. Overtime and night work, detri-
mental to health and Il cause of increase
in the cost of operation, are unavo dable.
and. in fine, the present building IS
neither safe nor adequate as a public
printing office.