The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-08-15
MEN TO
BECOME PROFICIENT
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PLAN OF
COLONEL WOOD TO REDUCE
THE COST OF LIVING

plan, nation wide in scope, was
today inaugurated by Colonel Arthur
| Woods, assistant to the Secretary of
War, for factory owners and industri-
al corporations throughout the count
ry, 10000 in humber, to undertake in
dustrial training for their workers at
the same time that they pay them a
sufficient living wage during the
period of apprenticeship
This plan originates in the difficult
situation in which the country now
| finds itself because of the high cost
of living and the general industrial
unrest. 1t is felt by the office of the
assistant to the Secretary of War that
the fundamental solution of the high
cost of living lies in an increase of
production; and that industrial train
ing at the same time that it accomp-
fishes this result, will also make every
worker, whether skilled, semi-skilled
or un-skilled, feel that he has a real
opportunity for advancement and for
an increase in his earning power
Investigation by Colonel Woods Of
flee shows that American factories
are running at very low level of
efficiency. In New England, for ex-
ample, experts state that the factories
are not more than 60 per cent efficif
ent. 1t is estimated that six million
men are being used today to do the
work that four and half million
men could do if they were properly
trained. The average worker, accord
ing to these figures, never attains an
output of more than 35 per cent of
his best efficiency, simply because he
has never been trained to do his work
properly. Even slight increase in
this level of efficiency will mean a
great increase in the national produc-
tion and corresponding decrease in
the cost of living.
Those employers who have already
been approached with this project, and
particularly those who have already !
tried the scheme, are thoroughly con-
fident of it's feasibility and tremend-
Gus possibilities. 1t is found that not |
only is the productive power of these
men increased, but that they actually |
pay for themselves at the same time
that they are learning and that by
the increases in their Individual eff |
ficiency a fund of labor is created |
from which experts in technical and
capacities can be recruit
ed. Some factories report doubling
Of the mems output as a result of
training. One shoe factory
n Brooklyn reports that number of
apprentices recently taken in at $500
per week to learn the work are now
after three to six weeks of careful
raining, earning as high as $1,000
Der week.
The plan appeals equally to the
abor leaders before whom it has been
aid and who have seen it tried out.
t means that the individual laborer
iced no longer enter upon his work
laphazard or feel that he has no op-
for escape or advancement
rom his own particular task. By
his system of training men can be
'ut on that work for which they are
'est fitted and each man benefits 7
" the consciousness of his own in
lividual opportunity for increasing
lis skill and improving his condition
y an increase in his earning power
The office of the assistant to the
secretary of War is now in communi-
alton with some of the leading in :
ustrial and manufacturing concerns
n the United States and urges all :
who wish to learn :
urther about this plan to communi- :;
ate directly to $50 Madison Avenue, - =
he New York office
v