The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-07-06
FUNDAMENTAL FOR RECOVERY

FUNDAMENTAL FOR RECOVERY
A LII Spring piece-mea information has appeared
in print coming from an interdepartmental
committee considering expansion of the aircraft
Industry as a part of general defense program.
With this purpose all will agree but the Com
mlttee Incorporated training program in their
report to the President which to Labor seems the
wrong way to obtain that purpose. This plan es-
Inmates the need for additional workers in the air
craft industry from 100000 to 100000 with i'm
mediate expansion from 10000 to 100000 The fol-
lowing program is proposed: Immediate establish
ment OF apprenticeship systems in all plants and
shops manufacturing aircraft; Federal agencies to
encourage apprentice and vocational training pro-
grams, the N Y. A. and the C. C. G.. to help in
training programs. The initiative for the train
ing program would lie in the Federal Government,
primarily in the War Department whereas the
United States has always held control over educa-
tion should be local and in the hands of citizens.
We have found it unwise to train persons vocation
ALLY except as employment opportunities develop in
private industry.
Labor believes that private industry is most
fundamental economic force for business recovery
and permanent prosperity in this country. Persons
|go into private business in order to earn living
by making profits. The incentive is strong enough
and the reward sufficient to induce persons to go
Through the disciplinary experience of business
Executives. The structure of private business is
|such as to encourage personal initiative on the
part of employees and employers. Private initiative
developed in accord with public policies involves
the greatest amount of self-government and per-
sonal freedom.
Labor believes therefore that the most ef-
fective way to develop the aircraft industry for
military and commercial purposes is to give con-
tracts to private employers. Private industry has
Its customary ways of recruiting labor forces ade-
|quate for production plans. Public employment
services and union headquarters are available to
|comb the ranks of workers and the unemployed
for mechanics Apprentice training and vocation
|a education machinery exists to which the indus
try can apply in carrying out any authorized ex-
pansion program which the War Department may
plan. There is no need for the War Department
Ito plan the training of workers for the aircraft
Industry. That can be done better by the normal
educational agencies whose function it is, in CO.
Operation with employers and employees in private
Industry.
1t is equally disservice to bring the C. c. C.
and the N Y. A. into such training project. The
|C. C. C. has been valuable service but it would
|be fatal to turn it into a vocational training
agency The N Y A. has done a useful work in
giving financial aid to young people trying to COM
pete an educaton it has contributed juvenile en-
|ployment services essential to the placement of
boys and girls seeking work opportunities but it
should not attempt training for which provisions
|already exist nor contribute to conditions setting
youth apart as a class.
If we would remain a democratic free country,
1--WE must keep control over education in the hands
lof private citizens, locally determined Vocational
Education should be adapted to the needs of civ
lillian life and not directed by the Federal Govern
Iment. The United States does not need to rush
into huge armament program. We still have the
Atlantic on the East and the Pacific the West
natural defenses. We need more aircraft for COM
mercal purposes and adequate aircraft and anti
aircraft provisions for defense and to maintain our
national standing. These ends can best be served
lby maintaining private industry and making use
|of normal agencies and educational procedures
that have been evolved out of past experiences and
directed in accord with ong-range national poll
ices.