The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-04-03
A STRONG PLAN
FOR INDUSTRY

Meeting Menaees Of eoishevism, IN.
rest, Dissatisfaction and Waste on
New 6attleground-Savin Men
and Boys to Maine-Program Com
prehensive and Adaptable Enouah
to Meet Needs Of All Section, of
State
From Portland Press)
Alfred P. Cobb, State industri1,
secretary Of the Maine Y. NJ. c. A.,
declares an alarming proportion If
Names young men ARE slipping
away from us to climb the ladder of
success in other states" He admits
that I'VE eanot blame them under
the existing circumstances else
where" Mr.. Cobb says further that
raising wages and giving shorter
hours do not meet ALL the problems
of the laboring men. Many en-
ployes, he AYERS. are receiving good
wages and have some leisure time.
The trouble is that none of us-em-
ployer or employee are getting large
enough returns from either time or
money. We must meet our common
enemies, unrets. 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 support
themselves a week.
Mr.. Cobb believes that the Maine
Y. M. c. A. industrial program VIII
be able to meet these and other prob
lens Of labor in Maine, to meet all
the menace of Bolshevism, to prove
to the industrial interests of Maine
that the Y. M. g A. has a plan that
is concrete and efficient.
This department" he says. sis
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 to-
ward forming ways and means
committees of all concerned We
shall he constantly in touch with all
other parts Of the country through
the industrial Y. M. G. A. headquar-
tiers in New York, Chicago. San
Francisco and the other large cit
les. We shall be able to bring to
Manic all the IluGSlTlai news anu
improvements"
What is your program, briefy?"
he was asked recently.
Mr.. Cobb smiled before he answer
ed; Il can't tell you very briefly but
III do the best I can.
This plan is comprehensive
enough and adaptable enough to At
any and all parts of our great State
and all kinds of people therein. ed
ucated and uneducated. native born
and foreign born, city people and
farmers, boys, girls, men, women,
workers in shops and woodsmen.
IN cities where there are sufff-
cient industrie,, and enough employees
to warrant the expenditure, an in
dustlial Y. M c. A. building is rec
commended with the regular five-foId
Y. M. c. A. programmed educational,
physical social. religious and eco
nomic. In localities where this is too
elaborate for the means of the PEG
pie. 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 work
ers the program ia carried on by the
county man and his volunteers, US
ing schoolhouses, Grange halls. town
buildings, etc, as meeting places. In
all three instances the fiye-fold poo
gram can be used in a more or less
modified form.
Under the head of physical ac-
tivitiee comes games. gymnasium
exercises, contests, field days and
-ati, tol CT
cludes entertainments. banquets, ta-
bic games, social gatherings, outings,
music, etc. The educational features
are lectures. trade knowledge, voca-
tional guidance. safety education.
mecha nical training, craftsmanship.
etc
Especial st 'ess will be laid upon
the Arlericanization feature. Glasses
will be held and the men who need
this sort of instruction will be urged
to join. Such subjects as English, cit
izenshiE, government, naturalization
and American ideals will be empha-
sized
'The religious department con-
sists Of Mems Bible classes. noon
meetings, open forum, personal help
and kindred topics.
THE economic program consists
Of thrift campaigns. personal bud
gets, intelligent spending. conserva-
ton and investments. All these
phases are participated N by en-
ployers and employees alike The mu-
tual note will be emphasized: they
all belong: it is their building and
their program; they are together en-
the committees.
I'm all its service the Y M. c. A.
Is absolutely non-sectarian. All are
welcome to enjoy its privileges st
all times"