Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-11
SHORT SPECIAL COURSES
WILL FIT MEN FOR ARMY
Acknowledgement Stern Is Notified
OF New Plans Worked Out by
War Department.
TRAINING IN VARIED LINES
Designed to Prevent Impairment of
Essential Industrial Production.
Arrangements for SiNty-Day In
struction Now Being Completed.

Special training for army service is
receiving the attention OF the War De-
rartmcnt at present. according to in
formation received yesterday by Adju-
tant General Stern. Intensive. short.
practical courses. so that essential In
dustrial production may not be inn
paired, Will be undertaken by training
schools under military control. Men
VIII be sent to civilian institutions in
units ranging generally between 200
and 1000. These men will be Indicted
under the draft. Courses viii be given
in auto driving and repair. bench wood
work. general carpentry, electrical COM
inunication. electrical work. forging or
biacksmithine, gas engine work. ma
chine work. sheet metal work. and in
other occupations the needs Of the army
may require. Institutions and individ-
uals interested have been invited to
write to the Committee on Education
and Special Training, Room sos. State.
War and Navy Building. Washington.
The Secretary OF War has authorized
this plan for giving specia! technical
training to selected men. 1t Is cx-
pccted that the plan described Will
prove , highly effective method of in
crcasinG military efficiency. by provid-
'nG an adequate supply OF mon prop
early trained TO perform tho mechanical
tasks which are SO essential in modern
armies. At the same time the plan re-
duces the demands OF the army upon
industry for skilled workers many OF
whom could otherwise be obtained only
by withdrawing them from essential
war industries. In view OF the mill
l,ary and Industrial value of tho plan.
especial attention and cooperation OF
local boards arc earnestly desired.
The spccial training will be given
N nf
trtions throughout tho country II wifi
be highly practical. and will be Of d.
rect benefit II each man who takes II
up both IN tn" army and in civilian
careers. TIL" War Department Com
'nittee on T:duca'ion and Snccial Train
irg. ~ which tho plan of training Is
administered, desires TO have IL cmpha-
sized however. that tho training Is do
signed primarily not to produce arti-
sans. but 10 develop soldiers who arc
carahle Of performing tasks requiring
skill in ,Grchanc arts Great care
should 10 taken TO avoid giving The
men the impression that they will NO
cessarily nc assigned 10 any specia,
corps or department. or that they are
not likely to he sent to posts of dan
ger: their assignment: 20 actual service
VIII. rs matter of fact. be governed
hr military requirements Mt the time
when they become available and cam
no; now be definitely forctold.
Local. nntRhS CAS- UEIp
MAKE PLAN GREAT SUCCESS
Local boards are in a position to con-
tribute largely to the maximum sue
cess Of this plan by using care and dis
elimination II selecting men for sne-
cial training Whenever YOU are called
upon to do so. They will see to II that
each man selected has had at least a
grammar school education or It's equiv
nlent. and that he is mentally alert and
ready TO learn. Inform him as correct
" as possible as TO the institution he
VIII be sent 10 and the kind of train
ing he Is TO receive.
From among the men voluntarily
presenting themselves for induction
boards should accept those who seem
best qualified TO get the most benefit
out Of tho intensive two months course
OF training Of the particular kind In
question. and should choose mon on the
basis OF their aptitude for mechanical
work. rather than on the has sis Of their
experience. However. the greater a
mans experience in mechanical work
the more acceptable he will be. other
things icing equal In giving allot-
ments for future courses of this kind
the committee viii take into considera-
ton the quality Of the men contributed
by the various States and local boards
In ttlling prior calls.