The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-06-13

PAD Wilt: the LEARN
sturned Soldiers Are Elnstructed q
I i. the Art and Practice Of Mining
y i3 4s Lead-Zircs Ore Teacher X. {
Z ! = 4 ~. S.s.G 10 Lieutenant. :*.'


aeet underground In the Morning mine
lt Mullan, Idaho, In which returned
soldiers are being taught the art and
practice Of mining lead-zinc ore, Is one
Sf the latest, educational innovations
II the University Of Idaho. This work,
which has been. inaugurated by the
school of mines of the university, Is,
70 far as is known, the first attempt
. apply to actual underground min
he work the new system Of vocation
u education provided for by the
smith-H Hughes act, and the experiment
= being watched with interest BY min
US and mine operators alike through
cut the Western states. A. ,&ya3IE W. r. E.
The schoolroom is far under ground.
end 1t is devoid Of blaclAboards, books
md benches. Pupils and teacher alike
~ dressed in, overalls land mining
1oots, and the school. equipment con-
sests. Of rock drills. driven by COM
pxessed air, or machines as they are
generally termed In mining parlance;
steel or drill bits for these, machines.
yaclts; s,ovels, timber, dynamite, caps.
1aaes and all the other paraphernalia
q those who go down to the mine In
akfpss '''. >'~ '...rv, '@'.t -. - an,
Teacher 10 Lieutenant =,
Is The teacher is Lieut.. Frank 81.
akeels Of the United States army
sngjneers, recently released from
eeyvice for this work. Before going
pto the army Lieutenant Skeels had
heen a mine manager and mine super
6tepdent, to which; position he had
ulsen after spending his life since boy
bod in and about the mines Of the
Occur d'Alene district. r.. T.:
Admission to the school Is obtained
Ay application to the federal employ
1aent agent at Wallace, and preference
y given to returned soldiers who are
young enough and bright enough to
" teachers. NJ. 80 49, IL,
The work in hand is what is known
u drifting that 10, driving a horizon
u gallery or working lengthwise Of
~ VEIN. The pupils operate the rock
>Edlls in turn. studying the number Of
Aoaes necessary to break ont the pre-
determined; section Of rock, the angles
d which they. must be driven to make
Ne greatest fpsesreas with the least
amount an drilling and the smallest
Iossible supply of dynamite. In add
Dan. the, placement d timber to sup
port q weak wall and all the various
hints 1.-THE Rundergre0nd u trade are
taught by making. the student do them
h SEXUAL, workmanlike fashion to- pass
he scrutiny Of domestic mine fore
pan and lynx-eyed safety engineer.
E.. Paid While Learning.
!; There Is the more prosaic work of
anucking' or shoveling, and also OF
Examining the broken ore or waste to
Ne shaft or dumping place. The young
Fellows who attend the school receive
nir> compensation for their time as
tie school !is carrying on: drlft work
W. contract, and payment for explo-'
lives and other. supplies tE divided pro
rata among the men, the salary OF the.
Instructor. being paid Jointly BY the
state Of Idaho and the federal govern
nent. ....,..> ~ 8; 1919: s:is,S55 BIT
while ut the present time there y
q school in one mine only, It is expect
ID that within the next month sOF two
schools will be organized at each Of the
stAer four or five big properties In the
Qpeur d'Alene district. r. "''' -: #s
o like every other novel enterprise
The school has had to overcome good
de4l Of skepticism and passive opposl-.
ION, ON, the part Of some Of those who Q
ahould be. most concerned 10 Its es-
adjustment. but this; is gradually fad:
VIC out as the practicability Of the
scheme is being demonstrated" Dean
~ A. Thomson of ii the University
School of Mines said. s. Fl +, -" We
Applications for enrolment far ex-
seed the present capacity OF the
sehool. ..: m. : 4
~ 49,. r, q u, =: p.