Montana labor news., 1935-09-19

were assisted in finding out what they
would like to do and were best suited
for. These classes demonstrated that
there is a sharper break between the
school period and the productive period
than our educators have realized. I say
that each young mar and woman should
have an equal educational opportunity
and should be limited in his or her
progress only by lack Of ability and
initiation. Every effort should be made
to guide the youths toward the true
goal of practical education, that they
may be able to function effectively in
as many different situations as possible.
There should not be as now, the sharp
break between the schol period and the
product period that is to follow. Edu-
cation should grade SO ~imperceptably
into work that it would be almost I'M
possible to say where education ended
and work began. Due to the fact that
our present educational institutions
have not the proper equipment and
training personnel, I believe there
should be a number of educational in
stitutions set up directly under the SUI
pervision of our Federal Government,
and that these institutions should be
provided with the necessary equipment
and officers, who have had years Of
experience in our various industries.
For instance, instructors should have,
not less than five years of experience,
gained from three different industries.
The supervisor should have not less
than ten years of experience, gained in
six different vocations. Directors
should have not less than twenty-five
years of experience, gained from not
less than fifteen different vacations, and
they should have other educational
qualifications as well. College educa-
ton is not necessary, but desirable.
From forty years of experience, gained
through working in fifty different
trades and positions, I am convinced
that our inventions and practical
methods in industry have originated
from the practical man in the various
industries and that our engineers and
scientists have merely refined them. |
have noticed particularly that where a
young mar has graduated from school
and has followed one particular line,
that he has grown narrow, and has not
the understanding and vision of men
who have worked in a number of diff
ferent industries. Very few people
seem aware OF the fact that our prac-
teal technicians have advanced so far
in INFLAMMATION of industries and
have provided us with SO many material
necessities and comforts Of life. In
fact the progress has been so rapid
that many people and public leaders
have fallen far in arrears in adequate
understanding. I think that this is due
to our educational methods.
"Now the practical technician must
do another bigger job, and that is to
teach the youth and adults how to op-
crate the industrial equipment and also
instruct them how to conduct them
selves so that the necessities and COM
forts of life may be more properly dis
tributed to all and not to make a few
wealthy men more wealthy. 1t can
not be denied thatthe money changer
and the politician have prevented Il:
from gaining the essential knowledge il
exercising our perogatives, but they
have also forced millions OF our citizens
to live on a bare subsistence, known
as charity, and at the same time have
forced our research workers and prac-
teal technicians into the background
Therefore, | say, that it is the duty Oh
every community to work for an edu-
cational program that will give our
men and mt the essential knowl-
edge and experience enabling them to
solve the problems confronting them
that they may rchabilitate themselves,