The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-05-22
Federal Agent In
spects Work of
Classes
ADVANTAGE OF SYSTEM
Expects it to be Extended to
Other Metal Mining
Districts


dustrial education with the
federal board for vocational
education. arrived in Wallace Tues
day in company with Francis A.
Thomson, dean Of the Idaho school OF
Mines for the purpose OF inspecting
and reporting upon the results of vo-
cational training Of miners in this dis
trict Although vocational training
has become fixed system in numer-
Gus trades and industries, the first
attempt to introduce it in the metal
mines was made a few months ago IN
the Morning mine at Mullan through
the efforts of Dean Thomson, who had
the cordial cooperation of the NINE
operators of the district. The sys-
TEN was introduced through the pro-
visions of the federal law known as
the Smith Hughes act, through Which
the federal government makes an ap-
propriation for vocational training
equal to the amount provided by the
state in which the system is to De
maintained. Although the conditions
under which the mines here were op-
Grating were somewhat unfaVoraple
for trying the experiment owing to
conditions brought about by the war
ARRANGEMENTS were made with the
MANAGEMENT of the Federal Mining q
Smelling company for the initial class
to go into the Morning mine For an
instructor to take charge of the class
Dean Thomson selected Frank N,
Skeels, a graduate mining engineer
and a Young man of wide experience
in practical mining. with CLASS
made up of ex-soldiers, all Wlthoul
any experience whatever in under-
ground work. Mr. Skeels took con-
tract to run drift on one OF the low
er levels of the Morning, Which ne
completed with a record of better than
wages for all members Of the class
The success of the class in the Morn
ing has been followed by the organl-
zation of a class in the Hecla mine'
which is engaged in making ra'se
with equally successful results.
Federal Agent Pleased.
After visiting the Morning and
uec,a mine and inspecting the work
of the amateur miners, Mr.. Johnson
EXPRESSED himself as being most raw
orably impressed with what ne haa
seen and learned regarding the ac-
complishments of these first classes
and complimented Dean Thomson ana
Mr.. Skeels upon the success achieVeo'
In his opinion the success OF the sys-
fem in metal mines has been ruily
demonstrated by these experiments
classes and he expects to see II eA-
tended to other mining districts u
tbe west. It is in successful operation
in the coal mines of Pennsylvania
where employees as well as shirt BOSSES
,nd foremen are required to pass an
examination, particularly with respec'
to safety first regulations, pelore eo'
;np underground Some OF the iarst
oonnar mines of Arizona provide spe'
cial instruction to qualify men io'
shift boss and foremen, and slmiia'
instruction Is given by the NeVads
scboo, Of mines. Thus recognition o
tbe desirability for special tralnin'
for underground work is not new, AM
since the classes here have proven ln
system practical for miners MI
Johnson expects to see 1t extehoeu :
all underground employees.
Liberal Appropriations.
Discussing vocational training
general, Mr.. Johnson said that II ia
tho anproval of all classes and Is &C
complishing much toward orlhsin
about a closer and more considera'
relation between employer and EN-
Moves It's popularity. he said, wa
indicated by the fact that the smith
Hughes act was passed In congres
by practically a unanimous vote
botb bouses, and it had the endorse
ment Of the federal chamber OF com
merce. the American Federation
labor and the American Education'
association. Referring to the oire'
benefits to all concerned, Mr.. Johnso
nointed out that vocational tralnir
means higher efficiency of employ
and therefore higher wages and De
ter positions, results in the intere
~ both employers and employees, al
long step in the direction OF brlnl
,ro about the new relationship D.
tween labor and capital so forcip
outlined this week in the message