Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-21
AN UNFORTUNATE CONDITION

dition with respect to the lack Of
apprentices in building trades in this
city appears to be quite generally
understood. A way to remedy the
condition is not generally understood.
Data collected by Journal reporter
among the building trades and pub
lished elsewhere bears out this con-
clusion. Nor does the Journal as
sumo to prescribe the cure, although
convinced that certain features will
have to be corrected before the RENE
dy is obtained. We would ask for
dispassionate consideration Of those
features.
One about which most seem to
agree is the attitude Of young men
toward craftsmanship in the building
trades. That attitude is one of in
difference. Among contractors
this is quite generally ascribed to
desire on the part Of young men to
avoid hard, manual work. They might
feel disposed to sweat over an auto
mobile or a flying machine. as this
invites them with greater novelty
than they can see in plumbing, car
penterng or in laying brick. There
doubtless is much Of truth in this OBJ
servation. but 1t does not tell the
whole Of it. Craftsmanship has not
been made inviting as it might be by
those who already are in it, but more
Of that later.
We note that among the building
trades. that Of carpenter, mason and
plumber. while all apprentices are re-
quired to belong to the union, paying
small dues monthly, the carpenter
apprentice has to pay an initiation
fee Of S25 in addition to supplying
himself with tools. The question
naturally arises what does the union
give this man as an equivalent for
this fee? Does it save him from COM
petition with others who would be ap-
prentices but haven't the $25 to pay
to the union? If so then the union Is
materially contributing to discour-
agement of apprenticeship. Or is it
because the apprentice Is set to work
as a carpenter when occasion serves?
II so both union and contractor are
doing the reverse of encouraging ap-
prentices to acquire skill and render
to the consumer Of their product his
moneys worth.
And right here a word about skill
and pride in that skill on the part Of
the craftsman himself. Is that pride
less or more than it was before his
wage became fixed on a union level
rather than in recognition Of the SER
vice he could render? Is the crafts
man human? If he is then is the
first question answered. Man never
has attained his best except by incen-
tive, which usually includes recogni-
tion~of his attainment, admiration Of
it. Today the chief incentive, surely,
is the wage and the public pays the
price in enduring poorer workman
ship not worth what 1t costs. This
is not saying there are no craftsmen
who endeavor to render good service.
There are; they have it '1n them"
and try to get it out but under I'M
favorable conditions.
Some will probably say that we are
attempting to argue against the labor
union. We are trying to tell the
truth as we see 1t, and confess we
think others must recognize truth
so plain. Whether the union offers
compromising advantages may be dis
puted. 1t is perfectly natural that
those who work with their hands
should wish to cooperate to protect
themselves in endeavor with those
who cooperate at the other end Of the
bargain, but this does not change the
unalterable fact that the levelling
effect Of unionism, the placing Of the
member Of superior ability down with
the one Of inferior is deadening, robs
craftsmanship Of it's appeal to enter
prising spirits and yields an inferior
output. We are not surprised that
youth who wish to do things and re-
ceive recognition for their work are
not seeking apprenticeship under
these conditions. BY this we are not
attempting to excuse that which We
think Is altogether too prevalent
among youth, desire to wear a white
collar and sweat only in some So
called athletic sport.
The idea suggests itself that there
is a possibility that these vocations
might be dignified, craftsmanship
elevated and inspired through manu-
al training. 1t would seem possible,
but, not we believe, under existing
methods Of manual training which we
are told and believe afford little II
any more than smattering. 1t does
seem possible however, if, after the
student has had the regular training
in school which has long been con-
sidered necessary, when it was not
Thought necessary to teach him every
thing under the sun, a way might be
found to provide practical training
in some Of the most useful trades, a
training so conducted and under such
auspices as materially to dignity the
work. and, better than all, awaken in
the minds of the trained the posi-
biltties which may be attained by
really skilled craftsman.
But they will maintain the state Of
the world
And all their desire is in the work of
their craft.