Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-03
o. kNlckEReAckER BOYD
On Industrial Cooperation In Building

On Industrial Co.operatlon IN building
THE most vital step to be taken in the
i building industry today is to bring the
wyorkingman, the employer, the representa- ess aai
the engineers together in CO. operative
spirit. In the opinion of d. Knickerbacker
Boyd, the architect, who was recently ap-
pointed member of the Pennsylvania build
as spokesman for nearly 00O0 workmen,'
members of the Council of the Associated
Building Trades of Philadelphia and the
Brotherhood Of Carpenters and Joiners.
1--WE should consider that the interests Of
sfeh cya snS nssad to
discuss hours, wages, strikes and labor prob
lens by themselves, these matters should be
taken up with the builders, architects and
others who In the end, like the workingman.
serve the owners and the entire community.
"With this idea in view went before the
Council Of Associated Building Trades Of
Philadelphia and Vicinity and told them
that by bringing into contact with these men
the employers in their own and related fields
and technically trained men from educational
institutions, allied Industries associations
and professions and national, state and mu-
nicipal departments, they would become more
familiar with the materials with which they
worked and the tools and traditions Of the
with such increased knowledge and en-
thusiasm journeymen would become not only
more interested and efficient mechanics. but
better citizens.
AFTER talking to the council various COM
mittees of workingmen waited on me and
brought to my attention the difficulties of
attracting young men into the building
trades. They said they were handicapped
by the fact that the working hours OF a
tradesman Of that sort are shortened by bad
weather and exposure, and that many young
men were going instead into clerical and
commercial pursuits and shops. Fathers
,hn haI tbotr ltua t,1 4
discouraging their sons from such arduous
callings.
Must Improve Conditions
This whole situation would be changed
by inculcating in journeymen a greater Joy
In their daily tasks by means of the CO.
operation sought.
''These conferences with the workmen's a
committees led to the establishment of
classes on plan reading for brickayers and
addresses on various subjects before the
unions, The result of all this was that
was asked to be spokesman for the council
and for the brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joinsrs. liners o, ...,.,.
relations committee of the Chamber Of Com
merce which is now being laid before the
different builders organizations.
Acting as spokesman for these 10000
workers In the building trades, I laid this
proposal before the Chamber of Commerce
Labor does consider that It Is Of great
importance to have the active co operation
| of the employers in developing the human.
| interest side of industry and the technical
| phase of craftsmanship. Labor feels also
| that the employers should not leave TO il
| alone the onus and responsibility of bringing
into each branch of the building indnstrv
that young blood, Drawn and brains which
should be attracted through appreciatiye in
| terest and the means of intelligent choice
| into these trades. and diverted from less
| strenuous, health building, manly occuna
tions. 1t therefore requests the active sun
| port and CO operation Of employers In en- :.
| couraging young men to enter the ranks Of
| the building trades and in providing the in :.
| struction, training and practical eIperience
| requisite for apprenticeship.
| "'In making this request we desire 10 en- =.
phasize the fact, apparently not heretofore
| recognized by the majority OF EMPLOYERS that
those employed in the building trades ars
actually entitled to the assistance and 20
operation of employers in securing, training
and perfecting the human raw material ouf
of which workers In these industries are nro
duced, and In making of the material mara
genuinely interested and efficient mechsnics
workers and citizens. To this end we fnr '.
ther request co operation in PROVIDING sddi
tional means Of interesting and informins
the journeymen already in the trades and
crafts. This relates not only to those men
In labor organizations at their regular meet :
ings through lectures, illustrated addresses
and informal talks, but to all the men In
4 shops, in the field and on the lob throusb
ll furnishing the means of more intimate con :
n tact with their foremen and employers