The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-19
SPEAKERS
AT Y. M. G.. A. MEETING

Z L..
He referred to the difficulty OF getting
iabor--hiring negroes and inducing inn
migrants from other sections and coun-
tries-and recited his experience with
the problem III the ship-yard He said
he had come to this conclusions: That
IN order to have Il dependable, efficient
labor supply, it is necessary to train
the workers up from their youth in the
shipbuilding business--to take hold Of
them when they are young and help to
equip them for work"
Mr. Ferguson then told OF the CO.
operation of the Newport News Y. NJ
Z. ~, in affording this training. The
Y AZ 6. a. offered to get together
with him, and as the result night
classes in mechanical drawing and
other branches allied with the work
of the ship-yard. This sort of edu-
cational methods is proving success
full II helped the ship yard in getting
more efficient employees and il afforded
the association the opportunity TO eX-
tend wholesome influence over the
hoys and young men outside Of work
hours as we'll as in work hours
Mr.. Ferguson closed with an appeal
TO look after the boy who works with
his hands to regard him as just as
important as the othcrs-the little
Willics for whom parents too often
feared the degradation" Of manual
labor-and TO encourage tho habit Of
industry and thrift as the means for
better industrial workers as we'll as
better men.
Among VIII Operatives.
The third speaker was l.. w. Clark.
OF Spray, y. g., whose subject was
welfare Work Among Cotton Mill
Operators. He said there was prob
ably no problem that was pressing
greater nowadays than that of sccur-
ing good cotton mill operators. The
manufacturers are getting labor-sav-
ing machines. but while they are do
ing this it must not he forgotten that
labor is needed to operate these de-
vices.
Ills connection with the mills nj
spray was production manager, and
he Was deeply interested in the labor
problem for this reason He spoke
OF the loss OF production because Of
The inefiiciency OF operatives. Fortu-
hateiN the managers OF the bigger
plants have been paying more attcn-
tion to the welfare Of their employees,
he said, and approximately 1000 pco-
pie arc employed in the various mills.
The speaker showed that the opera
yves are beginning TO see a new and
better side of life and they arc in
sp'rcd 10 do more and better than
( they have ever done before. All of
the features OF the average local as
ISOLATION. he said. arc enjoyed by tho
cotton mill people, and avenues for
social intercourse ave opened up and
Inc whole community is served Spc-
eva nights are set aside for the wives.
sisters and daughters of the opera
tiNcs TO bowl and take advantage of
, other features which arc open to the
men.
DR. l.. II. r. Foster of Charlotte. \.
G.. followed with an interesting talk
about The Associations Industrial
Program Tho worker to-day is not
working so much, he said. for wages
but for recognition. and the necessity
OF penetrating the labor field is self
evident
The speaker mentioned many things
which arc fostcrcd by the association
thcy had had u little training. a lit
tie hclp, little education, would he
master mechanics drawing good wages
instead of being held back by their
lack Of opportunities
SAID he had another program for
the counties west OF the Blue Ridpc
Mountains. and this complicate things
somewhat, hut il does not affect mo
work which the Young Mems Christian
Association is projecting, and the com.
mittcc is surveying the State fo,. uo
purpose of hilng the wants OF the
committee as near as possible
w !" Duncan. q county secretary
explained. III Mr. Acl<icy's rcmucs,
Wha' ne had been doing in bOys' work
III shenandoah County. He gave a con
clse idea of the possibilities that exist
III the rural sections. He said he had
peeh born IN the country. but had
pceh unfortunate in being taken away
ana he had not had the chance Of bav
ing the real rural rub
Address by DIR. STUNT.
I me Afternoon session proved some
thlhg OF a disappointment. for Dr q
W sent could not be present D,
'eorEe X stuart took his place on tho
program making strong talk on the
meme PARTNERS With Cod"
nc report of Treasurer Richardson's
showed expenditures OF $I4.552 for tbn
year reporting n debt or s24a7a.
ilcoHes amounting to Sl.l34 were mnd.
os the delegates for the state worl
~ o. williams the frat state secra
''rE' made brief address and repo,r.
were had from some OF tho associ.-
tons. '''''
~ inc dinner at the City Auditoriu,n
"-hight there were 800 guests ma
speeches we're made by H. q. Williams
International secretary railroad dcnnri'
,nent' br w l.. Poteat. president
wake Forest College. and Rev. Gcorye