Evening star., 1925-05-20

Il confess I have no remedy. Help
comes from those who help them
solves. What are now bitter regional
feuds must become friendly rivalries.
Freight rates must be adjusted on an
equitable basis, Mining regions geo.
graphically distant from markets can
not hope to retain these markets by
rates out Of proportion to mileage and
cost OF service. The union operator
cannot expect the nonunfon operator
to fight his battles, and bitter eXpe-
rience has taught him not to sign an
innex1ble wage contract again. III the
union Is too short-sighted to see the
wisdom Of adjusting wave levels to
economic conditions 1t will destroy It,
self. Even now Its members. starving
and seeing the ort-sightedness OF
their leaders. are in revolt. No man
or group OF men can stand in the way
or a great economic force.
The operators have no quarrel with
collective bargaining. But when that
collectfvism chooses to restrain trade.
destroy capital and take the bread
from the mouths Of the men for whose
protection 1t was created, then a halt
must be called.
II suggest that here is an excep-
ttonal opportunity for the national
chamber to take upon itself the prob
lem OF putting the industry back on
its feet"
Lumber Conservation.
John w. Blodgett of Grand Rapids,
Mich, told the group that the archi-
tect and the building engineer have
an important responsibility in lumber
conservation, as well as the builder
and the lumberman.
There has been,' he said. more
loose thinking in connection with for
est utilization and reforestation than
on any other vital problem before the
American people. The people of this
country certainly Will not demand the
abandonment Of the practical value
Of our forests to hold intact their
natural beauty for the benefit Of those
able to enjoy It."
Mr.. Blodgett admitted. however, that
there was considerable waste in pres
ent-day numbering, due in part to
the handling Of raw material and
partly to the demands OF the public
for building material, which prevent
the most efficient use.
The portable sawmill OF the smaller
operator, he said, represents the mini
mum OF production cost and the maxi
mum of waste. The operator. able to
move his plant from virgin growth to
virgin growth freely, has little con-
Germ with the permanent status of the
forest which he Is destroying, he ex-
planned.
1t Is an established trade custom,
he said, not to use off widths of
lengths Of lumber. II these could be
used it would increase the amount
recovered from a log from IL to IS
per cent.
In logging operations, he said about
% per cent Of the tree is left in the
woods because there is no market for
the coarser parts Of the tree. The
more the manufacturer saves from
this product the less his profit.
White Collar Problem.
Restricted immigration and the
prediction OF native-born boys for
white collar" jobs are creating a Sc
rious problem in respect to training
skilled workmen. l.. A. Hartley of Chi
cago told the manufacture group at a
luncheon meeting in the New Willard
ballroom.
Opposed to this condition, he point
ed to Europe. with an overfiowing
population, low standard of living
and a constantly renewed supply of
skilled workers.
American industry he said, faces
test which will surpass in far-reach-
ing effects that of the war. Never be-
We have dismissed the vast army of
immigrants and are facing the future
with young workers sprung from our
own soil.
In our foundry industry, for eX-
ample, 80 per cent of the workers are
foreign-born. The greater part of the
skilled men are beyond middle age.
The death curve for these men is ris-
ing rapidly. No. company could be
found willing to insure such industries
against loss of skill.
"One of the greatest dangers con-
fronting industry in training labor is
overconfidence in the present school
training agencies. The trade schools
erected at great public expense. are
mere drop in the ocean Of the train
ing required by American manufac-
| turers. In 1924 33,262 students were
enrolled in Federally assisted all-day
| training schools. About one-fifth were
girls and women. About the same
number were in trade extension
courses of a few hours a week.
only those industries capable of
| using young children can hope for
direct benefit from much Of the train
ing in our schools. In 1920 about 80
per cent of the children between IA
and Is were in school, leaving only
about 90 per cent available for en-
ployment. The average age at gradu
alton from high school is IS. which
also is the minimum age at which
| children are available for the heavier
| industries. These student turnover fig
| ures show that only the lighter in,
dustries can expect much help from
instruction in the schools"
Modern Incentives.
W. c. Dickern1an, vice president
of the American Car & Foundry Co.
of New York, told this group that 1t
was only during the last century that
| industry had recognized man power
as more than a brute element to be
controlled by the lash or by law. This
age continued from the time Of the
building Of the pyramids, but today
he said, the. employer has come to a
new conception. Instead of forcing
men to work industry is now inciting
them to work through thrift plans
| mutual benefit associations, pensions
piece-work systems, bonuses, profit
sharing, stock participation and in
| dustrial representation.
THE margin between poverty and
comfort for the average workman is
surprisingly SMALL" Mr.. Dickermar
said. "A better workman must result
from the peace of mind which results
/ from accumulated savings.
He advised industries in smaller
towns, however, to avoid competition
with the established fraternal orders
| in their insurance and mutual benefit
| plans. Above all, he said, too obvious
paternalism should be avoided be-
+, cause 1t stirs antagonism rather than
gratitude.
1.-THE plece-work system" he said
| with the step-up bonus always will
remain the prime incentive"
He told of the SUCCESS achieved with