Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-19
Why Do Our
Maine Boys
Leave State?
Grave Problem May Be
Solved by Common
Sense Plan
BUSINESS MEN
HOPEIN Y. M. c.. A
Industrial Program to Meet
Recognized Need, AS Are
Religious and Economic and
Physical Activities

Alfred P. Cobb. State industrial
secretary of the Maine Y. NJ. c. A.
declares an alarming portion of
Names young men are slipping
away from US to climb the ladder Of
success in other states" He admits
that I'VE cannot blame them under
the existing circumstances else
where" Mr.. Cobb says further tina t
raising wages and giving shorter
hours do not meet ALL the problems
of the laboring man. Many en-
ployes, he AYERS, are receiving good
wages and have some leisure time.
The trouble is that none of us-em-
ployer or employees getting large
enough returns from either time or
money. We must meet our common
enemies. unrest. dissatisfaction and
waste on a different battle-ground
than heretofore" He cites cases of
families receiving far above the av-
erage wage, who, in adversely, had
not enough money laid by to sup
port themselves a week.
Mr. Cobb believes that the Maine
y. NJ. c. A. industrial program will
be able to meet these and other pro-
UlcHlS OI ldOOT III GIdluc.
This department." he says. IS
getting in touch with all the indus
tries large and small, in Maine. We
are consulting with employers and
employees, learning the needs of their
plants. We are enlisting their aid
toward forming ways and means
committees of all concerned. We
shall be constantly in touch with
all other parts Of the country.
through the industrial Y NJ c. A.
headquarters in New York. Chicago.
San Francisco and the other large
cities. We shall be able TO bring to
Maine all the industrial news and
Improvements
What is your program. briefly ~
he was asked recently.
Mr.. Cobb smiled before he answer
ed: II can't tell you very briefly but
I'll do the best l can.
This plan is comprehcns
enough and adaptable enough to fit
any and ali parts of our great State
and all kinds of people therein, ed
ucatcd and uneducated. native born
and foreign born. city people and
farmers. boys, girls. men. women
workers in shops and woodsmen
In cities where there arc sufficient
industries and enough employees to
warrant the expenditure, an indus
trial Y. NJ. e. A. building is recon-
mended with the regular frc-fold
Y. N. c. A. program--cducationa
physical. social, religious and Geo.
nomic In localities where this is
tno nlnI 70
people. the industrial branch may be
carried on as extension work of the
city Y. NJ. C.. A. In rural districts
where there are few industrial
workers this program is carried on
by the county man and his voiun-
teers. using schoolhouses, grange
halls, town buildings, etc. as meet
ing places. In all three instances the
hve-fold program can be used in a
more or less modified form.
Under the head of physical activ-
tiles comes games. gymnasium cxer-
cises. contests. field days and mass
activities. The social side includes
entertainments. banquets, table
games. social gatherings. outings,
music. etc. The educational features
tional guidance. safety education,
mechanical training. craftsmanship.
etc.
Especial stress will be laid upon
the Americanization feature Classes
will be held and the men in need of
this sort Of instruction will be urged
to join. Such subjects as English,
citizenship. government. naturaliza-
ton and American ideals will be en-
phasized.
THE religious department consists
OF Mems Bible calsses. noon meet
ings. open forum. personal help and
kindred topics.
THE economic program consists of
thrift campaigns. personal budgets,
intelligent spending. conservation