Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-26
SCHOOLR0OM AND SHOP
SCHEME Is URGED HERE
Industrial Cooperative Study
Divides High School Pupils
Time Between Two Fields
MIGHT SOLVE LABOR CRISIS
"Fitchburg Plan" Where Tested Meets
Approval Of Boys, Parents, Manu-
facturers and Educators

The Industrial cooperative course OF
study, which combines the theoretical work
OF the classroom with practical shop work
IN various Industries. is being urged upon
the Board OF Education in this city by the
committee OF civilian service and labor OF
the Home Defense Committee according 10
announcement made today by its chairman.
Franklin Spencer Edmonds.
This plan provides that manual training
high school toys more than sixteen years OF
nge shall be placed in shops for period of
two weeks, and shall then spend two weeks
at their regular school work. For this pur-
pose the school is divided into two sections.
While one section is in the shop the other is
= at school When the first section has fin
ished It's two weeks work II returns to the
school and its place in the shops is taken
by the second division.
THE FITCHBURG SYSTEM
The committee headed by Mr. Edmonds
has made a close study Of this question. The
plan is known as the "Fitchburg system"
having been started some years ago in
Fitchburg. Mass. IL was later taken up in
Cincinnati Ohio, and then in York Pa It's
value has been demonstrated in these places
by the enthusiasm displayed by pupils,
teachers, industrial concerns and parents.
according to Mr.. Edmonds.
The resolution as passed by the commit
tee on civilian service and labor, and as
communicated to the Board Of Education,
Is as follows:
Resolved. That the committee on civil
ian service and labor recommend to the
authorities of the public, parochial and
private. schools Of Philadelphia the trial of
plan for cooperative work and study on
the part of boys more than sixteen years
of age. with preference given to the boys
of upper classes, so that they may be
released from school for industrial work
as will give also training in all branches
of trade for given period of time and
then continue studying for an equal pc
riod of time. alternating with other groups
of boys.
Provided That this industrial work
shall be done under the supervision of
the school authorities as to the hours
and conditions of employment at not less
than the standard rate OF wages paid by
the employers of organized labor for
such emp 'oyment.
In referring to the resolution, Mr.. Ed
mords said
"Tha shortage Of labor in so many indus.
trial lines which are essential to the sue
cessful conduct of the war has caused con-
sideration to be given to what Is known as
the Ftchburg plan. In several places III
this country an attempt has been made to
work ouS a cooperative plan Of study and
employment for the older schoolboys.
DETAILS OF PLAN
"Under this pan boys of the same grade
would be divided INTO Two GRASSES / nc
first class works in the shops Of some in
dustrial establishment for a period Of two
weeks while the second class is in school
The folown ng two weeks tho situation Is
reversed. While the second class works in
the shops tne first is at school.
"The ret result is to give the family some
income from the boys labor and yet &c
enable the boy to continue his education
Moreover, in many technical lines It Is
fou ID that the boy takes hold OF his studies
with an added zest when he has seen tht
application OF his studies in the shop. II
this way the shop work has an important
educational bearing For instance. in ship
building where there is a great demand
fo- labor today. the boy who has worke'
I'm the shop for some time will come back e
his mechanical drawing, geometry, etc.
with fresh zest and in many cases will
accomplish as much he would ever
though the time devoted to shop work haC
been spent on his studies.
"It is to be hoped that the educationa
authorities in Philadelphia can give this
plan an adequate trial SO as to demon
ST. ate whether it will help to solve the
acute labor problem at~the present time"