Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-30
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING

les of copper, many of silver and some
Of gold and other metals have been
formed in this way.
A recent study has been made by or
fcials Of the bureau of labor statistics.
Dep tment OF
Retterm.r< worL Labor. of the bet
terment work car
in Industries. ried ON by indus
trial employers in this country. The
esta blishments included in the investi-
cation covered a great variety OF IN
dustries, such as mining. foundries.
electrical supplies. automobile manu-
featuring and such. OF the entire
number of 431 factories which were
taken into consideration In the fnves.
tigation 256. with total numoer OF
employees estimated at nearly million
and a half. provide one or more OF the
various features included under the
general head of clubs, gymnasiums ana
recreation grounds.
Experts who made this investigation
say that the reason actuating employ
ers to provide club rooms or houses
and the means for athletic recreation
for their employees fs. in many cases.
the belief that since in large measure
upon the loyalty and efficiency OF the
employees. and that these qualities viii
be stimulated by providing opportuni-
ties for healthfu1 and sane recreation:
which are usually beyond the reach OF
the average worker.
During the course of the investfga-
ton the matter Of the number OF hours
that the clubrooms are kept open was
taken up, and 1t was found that tne
time ranges from an hour at noontime
- IN "a a
few clubs, to the entire twenty-four
hours of the day at others.
Six Of the department stores visited
by the officials maintain summer camps
camp for its Juvenile employees. al
lows the boys and girls to go to 1t on
alternate weeks at no cost whatever to
the young people. Another camp which
Is much used charges for board on the
basis OF the employees pay.
The head of the Arm of one large
factory in New England presented a
beautiful and commodious clubhouse to
his employees. The house has bowling
alleys. smoking and 1ounging rooms for
general recreation room and music
hall. with stage. SO constructed that 1t
may be inclosed and heated in winter.
but in summer may be opened up TO
form roofed-over summer garden
In connection with the clubhouse Is an
athletic field Of thirteen acres. which
can be flooded in winter for skating.
Another large corporation. whose
employees are Of many nationaiftfeS.
centers its club activities about the
and In several instances an officer or
other employee OF the company is a
member Of the board of library d.
rectorsI In such cases the libraries are
operated more as private clubs than as
public institutions.
The new course of study which has
been put into effect by the Indian Office
in the various reservation
Indian schools is built largely with
reference. the officials state.
SCHOOLS. to fitting the Indian for a
more independent life, for becoming a
productive. taxpaying
citizen and for achieving these things
through the practical education Of the
youth Of the race.
Following the primary division. or first
three years of this new course of study.
which IS termed the beginning stage. and
is chiefly academic with special emphasis
upon English. comes the second or pre-
vocational division. including the fourth.
fifth and sixth grades. and is peculiarly
adapted to the needs of the Indians by
requiring of every pupil. in addition to
the usual academic subjects, certain do
nestle and industrial instruction and
practice. For the girls are furnished
DEFINITE courses in housekeeping. home
nursing, cooking. sewing. laundering and
poultry raising. and for boys gardening,
general farming. dairying, farm carpen-
try and such occupations. In practically
all Of these courses one and one-half
hours of instruction and twenty-five and
one half hours of practice per week are
required.
The work at this time is called the
finding stage because full halliday
for every pupil fs devoted to trying out
of their capacities in such manner as
will determine. with the aid of their
teachers, the activity to which they may
definitely apply themselves in the voca-
tionaI course or finishing period of their
school work. which extends through
four years, giving to the girls COM
the boys thorough training in
agriculture or any of the trade courses
blacksmithing, carpentry.
painting. etc.
The practical and definite aim of the
Indian service is to have the students
complete the full course within the
time allotted and be given every op-
portunity to do so that the facilities
of the schools will afford, so that when
graduated the girls shall be well equip
ped to become model housewives in
their home communities. adequately
trained for motherhood. as well as for
the cultural and artistic ref1nements
of home-making. and qualified to take
part in elevating social community life.
The boys are expected to be SO trained
that the large proportion who will
probably follow agriculture can do so
successfully, and those who enter me-
chanical pursuits shall have such skill
as will enable them to stand the test
and hold their own In competition with
their fellow-workers.
AS an incentive to self-assertion and
initiative. in which the Indian is in
clined to be deficient. 1t Is intended to
the vocational period to act as foremen
and instructors with q view of develop
ing elf-confidence and responsibility.
The course is distinctly vocational in
character and is designed to furnish an
increasing body Of ex-students who
will take their places as molders of
better conditions in Indian life and as
leaders of a new generation actuated
by enlightened ideals. The ex-student
is regarded as the direct product of the
governments investment In Indian
education. He Is every year becoming
more valuable asset, with little tend
ency Of returning to the blanket
life" and with marked ambition to
improve his people. He Is doing much
to prove his worth and ability for in
dependent life through the aid of the
fund. This fund has i'm
portant and lasting value in an educa-
tional sense. It's immediate effect,
under the ample provision Of law Gre
rnr To- 10 vtxnIx a