The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-04-08
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
OF MINES A SUCCESS
EXPERT INSPECTS THE WORK
AT WALLACE AND COM
MENDS 1T VERY HIGHLY


The work Of the vocational train
ing school for mines in the Coeul
d'Alenes, which is under the supervi
sion, and in. fact is a branch of thu
school of mines of the University Of
Idaho, has received high commenda
ton from an expert sent out to in
spect it by the federal department Of
vocational training. The following
from the Wallace Miner tells of tht
visit of the expert and his common
dation of the work. The Miners
story follows:
Vocational Training of miners
which is now being tried out by a
class in the Morning mine, was the
subject OF investigation this week by
and representative of the federal bu-
reau for vocational training. Mr.. Cal
len is also professor of mining engin-
eering in West Virginia university, at
Morgantown, w. Va. His department
in the university has given consider
able attention to class room instruc-
ton to employees in the coal mines of
West Virginia, the pupils including
all grades from superintendent down.
The interest taken by employees in
this class of instruction and the great
benefit derived from it have led Mr..
Callen to make a special study of
vocational training as applied to min
ing, and he has, had under considera-
ton the extension of the system to
include practical underground in
struction and experience. 1t was
therefore with exceptional interest
that he came to the Occur d'Alene
district to make a personal investi-
CATION, on behalf of the federal board
for vocational training, of the work
of the first class that has ever been
organized for underground training.
Mr.. Callen was accompanied to Wal
lace by Francis A. Thompson, of Mes
cow, dean of the Idaho school of
mines, director for Idaho of mining
vocational training, and under whose
general supervision the system is be-
ing tried out. In company with
Frank H. Skeels, under whose per-
sonal direction the instruction is be-
ing given, they went to the Morning
mine Monday to make close obser-
walton of the work of the class and |
to confer with Mr.. Skeels regarding
the same.
LOOKS Like a Big Success.
Upon his return from the Morning /
Mr.. Callen was evidently quite en-
thusiastic over what he had seen and
the progress that had been made
within few weeks in developing cap
able practical miners out of a class
of young men, not one of whom had
had a days experience underground
before entering the class. He frankly
-ta% nl hn /
was rather skeptical regarding the
of extending vocational
raining to this class of work, but
hat his observations of the work ac-
by the class, the profici-
sncy they had achieved in the short
line they had been receiving instruc-
ion, and the intelligent interest dis
played by the men, had convinced him
hat this first experimental class
would be followed by the adoption of
he system in other districts, and
hat it would eventually raise the
tandard of efficiency in the mines
nd necessarily result in advantagel-
o both employees and employers.
The work of the class has so far
cen confined to drifting, and what /.
as been accomplished leaves no room II
0 doubt that equally. satisfactory I,
rogress will be made when sinking,
aising, stopping, timbering. and the
lany other tasks that come to the all
ound miner are taken up. II
Should Include Night School.
Mr.. Callen suggested that in con-
motion with this underground work
f the class, arrangements should be Z
lade for night school, or day school ~
more convenient, in which members
{ the class and others who were in
crested would receive lectures on |
tactical subjects connected with min | I
q, with blackboard illustrations and |
Questions would be | |
sked and answered, followed at a
mes by general discussion which
'ould tend to create lively interest. I
lie stated that a class of this kind is i
ow maintained in his department of b
ne West Virginia university, which e
as attracted not only miners, but a
nift bosses and superintendent, all
{ whom recognize it's practical value. L
An indicating the favorable atti G.
lde of mining companies toward vo- a
ltional training, Mr.. Callen stated b
lat some of the large copper COM a
sited, now maintained schools for al
e lllSOA hStiOI VI ChiPiOyCS lol oiiS /
tiles of shift boss, foreman and sup m
and similar instruction is "
ven by the Mackay school Of mines al
Reno, Nevada. The success that a
IS already been achieved by the m
ISIS of miners in the Morning mine ia
certain to make a favorable i'm
ession upon progressive mine OPP al
ators and the adoption of the sys- A
n may reasonably be expected as 4 ar
means of increasing efficiency and TO
proving the personnel of mine en- tn
,yes. tn
Visits Many Mining Sections. ed
The western tour. of Mr.. Callen in TO
lded the copper mines of Arizona, Al
e mining sections of California and sp
vada before reaching the Occur tn
llene district. After visiting the be
--- ------------" he
an
DOctOrSFaif !: !