Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-20
URGED To.
EDUCATE BOYS
IN BUSINESS
Advantage to Employer As Well As
to Employee Seen in Practi-
cal Training.
By 3. C. FORBES.

BY 3. C. FORBES.
How and where to find job Is the
first serious problem that confronts
most mortals in launching into the
world. To get suitable start is of
tremendous Importance. To-day the
whole business of securing employ
ment for youths is unorganized, hap
hazard, chaotic. The difficulty of
gaining the very first foothold is often
discouraging alike 20 parents and
youths.
Can anything be done to remedy
this? Can means be provided for
offering attractive opportunities to
deserving lads forced to leave school
at an early age to earn a living?
Would not the introduction of some
system for giving congenial jobs to
our brightest boys in needy circum-
stances, jobs affording an inspiring
field for progress, prove an invalu-
able incentive to youthful ctudents
and blessing to employers?
This idea was propounded to me
the other day by one of Boston's
leading business men, William F..
Fitzgerald, who has not permitted a
multiplicity of financial and COM
mercial affairs to squeeze all the milk
of human kindness from his heart.
Here is the kernel of Mr.. Fftzgerald's
proposal:
The great majority of boys have
to leave school as soon as they
finish their primary training.
They must find work. They must
contribute to the family purse.
If instead of awarding money O.
prizes, books, etc, to the pupils
standing highest in their classes,
arrangements could be made to
offer them-say, the five best
scholars in each school-attrac-
tive situations in big business or
CARNATIONS, both the boys and the
companies would be distinctly
benefited.
The plan would stimulate study,
would induce parents to take a
more practical interest in the
progress being made by their sons
and would tend to increase bust
ness efficiency.
Mr.. F'itzgerala assures me that
large numbers of business men have
given his suggestion their most cor
dial approval and have expressed
their willingness to join any sys-
tematlzed movement along the lines
indicated
Can not the plan be put in practice
at least in a modest way without
great trouble or delay?
Certain New York manufacturers
recently completed arrangements to
provide supplementary education
free of cost to numbers of their
workers. Various financial, railroad
and industrial concerns are also doing
noble work in supplying appropriate
education for their employees through
DAY and evening classes. All this
shows that the right spirit is already
taking possession of enlightened en-
ployers.
But there is a gap between the
outside of the school door and the
inside of the business establishment.
To bridge this gap for the most
worthy of those who have to get
over it is the object aimed at by Mr..
Fitzgerald.
Those of us who have undergone
the stern experience of striving %
bridge it unaided-and only such, l
believe-Can fully realize the value
of the plan outlined. What an in
centive to effort the prospect of hon
orable entrance into a business house
of high standing! What a source of
pride to poor people to have their
son walk out of school to be well
coined by a humane employer who
would see to it that their boy got a
fair chance to start life! What an
inspiration to get so promising foot
hold on the first rung of the high
SteDladder of SUGGEST
The rich mans son knows none of
the misgivings which beset the poor
boy who sets out without a friend,
without one breath of influence, with
out chart or compass. to find work.
Nor can wealthy parents realize
the state of mind of poor people who
have to send their offspring, at a
painfully early age, out in quest of
employment. Often the parents are
unable to leave their. own tasks to
accompany the little searcher for
work. What line of labor he takes
up is a matter of supremest chance.
1t may be that he simply trudges
along until he sees a Boy Wanted
sign, and applies instanter. His taste,
his aptitude, his proclivities are mat
tiers entirely submerged-they are of
no account
The lad knows that he must, with
out delay, find a job and turn in all
he can to exc out the family ex-
chequer. That is the one controlling
fact and factor
viii not some of Americas public
minded citizens take up this pro-
posal in their own localities and see
if something can be done toward
carrying it out? Little or no cost
would be involved. The desire to do
the thing is what is needed-that
and prudent cooperation between the
school authorities and a few respon-
sible men Of affairs.
1t is a democratic, humane OBJ
ject, is it not?