The Redwood gazette., 1918-01-16
Drafted Men
Get Training
Vocational Training Is Uncle Sans
Idea for Men Drafted for
Army Service
(By D. s. Brainard)


ment courses Of intensive training in
army occupations are being devised
by the public schools of Minnesota.
We are informed that for every SOL
dler in the ranks there must be one
enlisted man skilled in one of no less
than 81 army occupations from black
smiths and gas engine men to tail
ors and cooks. The men now being
drafted will not show anywhere near
the needed proportion of skilled me-
chanics. Hence more must be trained
at once.
At a conference held in the SEN
ate Chamber Saturday, Mr.. E. M.
Phillips, Federal Director of Voca-
tional Education for Minnesota, in
formed the assembled school men of
the work expected by the govern
ment in the present emergency. Min
nesota plans to train conscripts in
10 of the 81 army occupations. Cour-
ses of study in several of these will
begin in Redwood Falls as soon as the
students can be enrolled and the out
lines of study secured from the War
Department.
The courses outlined call for one
hundred hours of intensive training.
At the end of this time the student
will secure a certificate of attendance.
Upon presenting this to the proper
army authority he will be assigned
work in his occupation. If he can
show reasonable proficiency, he is sure
of immediate promotion to corporal
or sergeant.
Thus far in Redwood Falls moth
ing has been done aside from the
single subject of telegraphy. Friday
rolled for the hundred hours work in
this subject. The class will meet
three evenings week from 7:30 to
$3.50 in the physics laboratory with
Mr.. Tracy Ferris as instructor. In
addition however we are asked to do
what we can for men who desire pro-
ficiency in any one of the following
army vocations:
/. Auto and gas engine men.
2. Blacksmith.
8. Carpenter. (a) Cabinet worker
(for aeroplane service); (b) House.
A. Concrete Worker.
s.. Cook (here the need is great,
men with. only fair training being
sure of appointment as mess SER
geants at once).
6. Craftsmen (a) Architectural;
(b) Mechanical; (c) Typographical.
7, Horseshoer.
5. Machinist. (a) Drill Press; (b)
Lathe.
9. Miner. (a) Explosives.
10. Sheet-metal worker. (a) Cop
per; (b) Iron; (c) Tin.
II. Shoemaker.
II. Stenographer.
13. Surveyor.
a. Tailor.
Is. Telegrapher.
16. Typewriter.
II. Veterinary.
18. Wheelwright.
10. Wireless Operator.
Drafted men should make them
selves known Immediately to Supt.
D. S. Brainard whose duty it is to do
what he can to secure them training
in the occupation which they desire.
Each man should select a vocation
in which he has already had some
work if possible. Obviously much of
this training must be given in shops
and Offices rather than in the school
building. Hence citizens of Redwood
Falls who are skilled in any of the
above occupations may expect re-
quests for assistance. 1t would be
greatly appreciated if patriotic citi-
zens would volunteer to take con-
scripts into their shops with a view
to giving them the 100 hours instruc-
tion required by the War Department.
In every case however the govern
ment outline of study will be followed
and the certificate of attendance is
sued by the superintendent of schools.
Of course no tuition or other fees
will be charged.
All interested in this subject
should make their wants known to
Supt. D. S. Brainard Immediately. 1t
is matter in which haste is neces-
sary.