Imperial Valley press., 1919-08-16
PLAN TO REDUCE
HIGH COST OF LIVING

| n pan, IdllOU-WluS III oCOPS, wa
today inaugurated by Col. Arthur
Woods, assistant to the Secretary O.
War, for factory owners and indus
trial corporations throughout the
country, 10000 in number, to under
take industrial training for theil
workers at the same time that they
pay the men sufficient living wage
during the period of their apprentice
ship.
This plan originates in the difficult
situation in which the country nov
6nds Itself because of the high cost
Of living and tie general industria
unrest. It is felt by the office
the assistant Secretary of War tha
he fundamental solution Of the higi
.ost of living lies in an increase 0.
production; and that industrial train
ing at the same time that it accom-
plishes this result, will also max.
every worker, whether skilled, semi
skilled or mskilled, feel that he ha
a real opportunity for advancement
and for an increase in his earning
power.
Investigation by Col Woods offict
shows that American factories ar,
running at very low level OF eff
iiciency. In New England for exam,
pie, experts state that the factoria
aer not more than 90 per cent eff
cient. 1t is estimated that six mil
lion men are being used today to dc
the work that four and half million
men could do if they were properl,
trained. The average worker, accord
,ng to these figures, never attains a
output of more than 35 per cent OF
his best efficiency, simply bctatse h
has never been trained to do his WOrl
properly. Even a slight increase il
his level of efficiency will mean
great increase in the national pro
iuction and a corresponding decreast
in the cost of living.
Those employers who have ALREADY
been approached with this project, anC
particularly those who have aheaG,
:lied the scheme, are thoroughly con
ident Of its feasibility and tramend
yus possibilities. 1t is found that no
only is the productive power OF thes
men increased, but that they actuall,
ray for themselves at the same tim,
hat they are learning and that by thu
rcrease in their individual efficienc7
fund of labor is created from whic
experts in technical and mana( ,ria
capacities can be recruited. Some IA"
tories report doubling of the NIL,
output as result Of industrial tam
ing. One shoe factory in BrooEln
reports that number of apprentice.
recently taken in et SIS per wsel t.
learn the work are now, after thu t,
six weeks of careful training, earuin:
as high as $40 per week.
The plan appeals equally to Til
labor leaders before whom it mas heCl
laid and who have seen II tried ot'
Il means that the individual laborel
need no longer enter upon his "cr
haphazard or fel that he has 70 op
portunity for escape or advanceucn
from his own particular task. By TIM
system Of training men can ne pa
on that work for which they are hes
fitted and each man benefits bv tn
cons ciousness Of his own lndl4iGU2
opportunity for increasing his ski
and improving his condition by IN IN
crease in his earning power
The office of the assistant - TN
Secretary cf War is now in com aunl
cation with some Of The leadilss in
dustrial and manufacturing concern
in the United States and urges al
manufacturers who wish to learn fun
ther about this plan to commul. !.
directly to $50 Madison Ave-, Ne'
yr,,,.I- offica