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THE SCHOOL OF PRINTING, NORTH END UNION, PARMENTER ST., BOSTON

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

J. STEARNS CUSHING, J. S. Cushing & Co., Norwood GEO. H. ELLIS, President United Typothetæ of America J. W. PHINNEY, American Type Founders Co., Boston H. G. PORTER, Smith & Porter Press, 127 Federal St. GEO. W. SIMONDS, C. H. Simonds & Co., 297 Congress St. JOSEPH LEE, Vice President Massachusetts Civic League SAMUEL F. HUBBARD, Superintendent North End Union

A. A. STEWART, Instructor

THE SCHOOL OF PRINTING was established in January, 1900, by the North End Union, under the supervision of a number of leading master printers of Boston. It has had to demonstrate its purpose in practical results, and is gradually being recognized by those who realize the important need in the trade of such a method of technical instruction.

The aim of the School is to give fundamental and general instruction in printing-office work, and to offer young men, through a system of indentured apprenticeship, an opportunity to learn the things which are becoming each year more and more difficult for the apprentice to obtain in the restricted and specialized conditions of the modern workshop.

The course of study embraces book, commercial, and advertising composition, and platen presswork. The School is supplied with hand and job presses, roman and display types of various styles, and the usual furniture and material of a modern printing office.

The School is continuous and pupils may enter at any time. The hours are identical with those of a regular workshop, from 7.40 A.M. to 5.45 P.M., excepting Saturday afternoon.

The tuition fee for one year is $100. Applicants must be sixteen years of age or over.

Further information may be obtained by addressing SAMUEL F. HUBBARD, 20 Parmenter Street, Boston.

THE APPRENTICESHIP BULLETIN is intended to be issued each month in the year. Price 25 cents for the twelve numbers. The composition and presswork are done by the apprentices in the School.

system. It has worked very satisfactory, both with regard to the proper education of the boys and as a steadying influence in industrial conditions. It is also a certificate of ability and entitles a lad to greater consideration after his term has been served than if his mere word was the only recommendation for employment... The great opposition to the apprenticeship articles comes from the ranks of organized labor, who seek to prejudice both the parents and the boys from "binding themselves to slavery," as they term it. However, the apprentices who are educated under the system turn out to be the best workmen and wage earners of all the skilled mechanics, and most of them appreciate in after years the great benefits derived from proper education under the apprenticeship articles."

IT is a curious thing that in industrial train-`

ing we have tended to devote our energies to producing high grade men at the top rather than in the ranks. Our engineering schools, for instance, compare favorably with the best in Europe, whereas we have done almost nothing to equip the soldiers of the industrial army the mechanic, the metal worker, the carpenter. Indeed, too often our schools train away from the shop and the

IT is becoming more difficult nowadays for forge; this fact, together with the abandon

the careless, the indifferent, and the incompetent to get and retain employment in high-class printing offices, and as a consequence greater effort should be made by sensible printers to become thorough in their knowledge of the trade, and reliable in the performance of their duties.

THE system by which boys unavoidably

grow up unskilled workmen and ultimately drift into the ranks of the unemployed, has to be considered, and it is necessary that there shall be devised some means whereby, while giving industry and commerce all possible freedom, there can be a reversion to the old-fashioned system of apprenticeship.-John Burns, M. P.

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ment of the old apprentice system, has resulted in such an absence of facilities for providing trained journeymen that in many trades almost all the recruits among workmen are foreigners.

The calling of the skilled tiller of the soil and of the skilled mechanic should alike be

recognized as professions just as emphatically as the callings of lawyer, of doctor, of banker, merchant, or clerk. The painter, the electrical worker, the foundryman should be trained alike in head and in hand. They should get over the idea that to earn $12 a week and call it salary is better than to earn $25 a week and call it wages. The young man who has the courage and the ability to refuse to enter the crowded field of the socalled professions and to take to constructive industry is almost sure of an ample reward in earnings, in health, in opportunity to marry

Canada. In a recent letter, Mr. Jas. G. Mer-early, and to establish a home with reason

rick, the secretary, writes: "Our Association able freedom from worry. To train boys and has been insisting on the apprenticeship of girls in merely literary accomplishments, to all boys learning the trade among the differ- the total exclusion of industrial, manual and ent sections composing the Association, and technical training, tends to unfit them for have been fairly successful in inducing a num- industrial work; and in real life most work is ber of them to insist on the apprenticeship | industrial. President Roosevelt.

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VOL. I, No. 8

better kind of boys and (2) in the preliminary training of them for one year in the essential rudiments of the trade before they go into the workshop. The establishing of a condition of mutual responsibility between the apprentice and his employer for a term of years is also a factor which cannot fail in a few years to exert a beneficial influence on the printing industry. This is accomplished by the School's plan of indenture, which provides for an ap prenticeship of one year in the School and three years in the employer's workrooms.

If a man love the labor of any trade, apart from any question of success or fame, the gods have called him. Stevenson.

The School itself is simply a small printing-office with working-stands for fourteen pupils, four small presses, and enough type and material to do all the usual kinds of typographic work-the outfit costing about $2,500. In charge of this is an instructor, whose attention is devoted wholly to the technical and personal interests of his pupils. A superintendent looks after the financial and business ends of the School, and with him are associated several well known master printers organized as a board of supervisors and a committee on apprenticeship, whose counsel determines the policy of the School and whose personal interest and financial support have made possible the School and its work. Nothing could be simpler in the organization of a school that is not conducted solely for the benefit of its managers; and nothing, it would seem, could be more eminently competent as an attempt to establish a system of trade education than this organization of men intimately related with the trade taught.

The success of the School lies, however, not so much upon its equipment or with its sponsors, as upon the co-operation of the employing printers of the city. To employers who have any real interest in the training of their apprentices the School offers advantages which many are coming to recognize. These advantages are (1) in the effort to obtain a

It will be seen that the School of Printing is not an "amateur" affair. Nor is it, schools," like so many other so-called " merely a workroom where the unpaid labor of the pupils must be sold to maintain it. It is run entirely in the interest of the pupils and not for the purpose of profit on any work done, although the expense is greater than the income from tuition fees. The School has from the first been a definite, serious effort to find the most feasible plan for instructing boys and young men who have come or contemplate coming into the trade-instruction which, it is conceded, is not and cannot very well be given in city printing-offices. The aim has been to give the apprentice a chance to acquire knowledge and practice which would lay the foundation of future competent workmanship— to make him worth more to himself and to his employer. There has never been any pretense of turning out pupils who could do the work of journeymen, for it has always been maintained that actual workshop experience is necessary to develop competent workmen.

But the right kind of workmen can be trained only from carefully selected apprentices who have had a proper chance to learn their trade. To urge this careful selection and to give this proper chance is the mission of the School; and the fact that employers willingly accept as indentured apprentices all pupils whom the School recommends, at a wage much higher than that paid to others who have served the same length of time, is ample evidence

that its purpose and its service are recognized. We believe this is as it should be, and that those master printers who thus evince a lively interest in the work of the School are promoting a most important factor in the betterment of the printing trade of Boston.

Printing is an industry not fixed in any particular locality, and it may be readily moved from one place to another, the chief determining factor being the skill and efficiency of those engaged in it. To paraphrase Emerson's aphorism: If Boston printers can design a better page, produce a better printing plate, or print a better book than their competitors in other localities, purchasers of printing in the business and publishing world will make a beaten path to our doors.

THE EMPLOYER'S PART IN TRADE EDUCATION From "Getting a Living," by George L. Bolen Macmillan Co., Publishers

WHILE multiplication of new occupations in

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse trap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods the world will make a beaten path to his door. [Emerson. ]

One reason why Boston has led other printing centers in certain lines of work is because it has had a good supply of labor. It is obvious that not only should the quality of labor not be allowed to deteriorate or the quantity be lessened, but that it should be increased in both respects. Coupled with this problem is the fact that printing, unlike many other lines of industry in which unskilled or easily-trained workers may be used to advantage by capable management, not only demands intelligence and efficiency in those who direct the work of an establishment, but also requires these qualities to a marked degree in every employee in the place. It is imperative, therefore, if Boston is to maintain its lead as a chief printing center, that some positive and concerted effort should be made toward a systematic training of its growing workmen. This is a duty employing printers owe to themselves and to their craft.

NOT

OT only has the young man entering business to-day more complex relations to understand than he would have had a quarter of a century ago, but he is placed in a less advantageous position for learning them. Then division of labor did not confine him so narrowly; he was called upon from the first to enter into a greater variety of activities. Experience then was really experience; experience to-day is for the apprentice the doing of routine work. Routine work does not give broadness of view or develop broadness of mind; on the contrary, unless the apprentice comprehends the relations of his services to the whole, his routine work but narrows him and makes him an automaton.-H. S. Person..

MODERN education too often covers the fin

gers with rings, and at the same time cuts the sinews of the wrist.-Earl of Sterling.

manufacturing and in commerce, with easy access to old trades in shops not unionized, have given fairly adequate opportunities to learn to work, one important matter has been too far neglected. Under average conditions, in the busy life of to-day, the apprentice has had to pick up his trade as best he could, without any one's taking the responsibility to see that he learned it well, the practice going to the other extreme from that of the old apprenticeship. While there is good discipline, especially to a bright, boy in being thus thrown on his own resources, no effort on his part will suffice when he is kept aimlessly employed about the shop, on the work he happens for the time to do most profitably for the the employer, and is given no systematic chance at essential parts of the trade he is supposed to be learning. In this respect the enlightened self-interest of employers is bringing about a desirable change. In the skilled trades that yet require the long learning time of an apprenticeship—consisting of work not to be divided up into single processes quickly learned by a mere machine tender--the employer will eventually find it best, not to depend on the inflow of men learning in small towns or in Europe, but to train up workers especially for his own business, losing a little in present value of a boy's service by giving him the chance of work necessary to make him most skillful and profitable later on.

DON

ON'T fire the boy! keep him and make a better boy of him. If you do, he will be a better man. Boys are all right if you understand them. In every one of them rightly handled there is a germ of manhood and possibilities of mighty success in the future. Grown up under kindly influences, the excess energy that made them enjoy their boyish escapades will be directed to the accomplishment of great things. So don't fire the boy. Talk to him. Get him interested in his work. Tell him of the things before him in life. Teach him thrift and industry. Remember he is just a little raw material out of which you can fashion a better man than you are, no matter how good you are.-Copy.

INSTEAD of a purely scholastic education, they [young men] need to be so trained as to be able to become, in the shortest time, useful to themselves and to others. They should be taught in the most direct way the use of their hands in some specific industry.-Prof. John D. Runkle.

APPRENTICESHIP CONDITIONS IN AUSTRIA

From Report of U. S. Commissioner
of Labor, 1902

AUSTRIA, like Germany, while perfecting the

pecially give their opinion to industrial authorities, whenever it is requested, concerning the granting of a trade certificate authorizing the prosecution of a handicraft trade, or a license to carry on a licensed trade, when especial qualifications are necessary, and when the evidence concerning the competence of the applicant does not seem to be sufficient. The guilds may also make recommendations upon their initiative to the chambers of commerce and industry.

The Hand never lies. It always obeys without question the orders of its master, the Brain.

If it is desired

to improve the product of the Hand, attention must be given to the education of the Mind, which has exclusive jurisdiction over the Hand.

system of industrial schools, has by no means abandoned the apprenticeship system as a valuable means for the imparting of trade training. On the contrary, the effort now being made to perfect this system constitutes one of the most important and interesting phases of the modern movement for the making of skilled workmen. It has been shown that the chief means by which the apprenticeship is sought to be preserved and brought into harmony with existing industrial conditions is through the promotion of trade associations after the model of the old guild. The same method and action is followed by Austria. The following statement of the functions of these guilds shows to how large an extent they are bodies to look after the training of apprentices. Their duties are 1) to maintain harmonious relations between employers and their employees, especially in respect to the organization of the labor force, the provision of guild shelters or lodges, and the securing of employment for persons out of work; (2) to provide for a satisfactory apprenticeship system, by the preparation of regulations, subject to the approval of the authorities, regarding the technical and moral instruction of apprentices, the length of their terms of service, examinations, etc., and the watching over the compliance with these regulations, the ratification of the certificates granted to them, and the determination of the conditions to be required for the keeping of apprentices, and the number of apprentices in proportion to the number of other employees; (3) to create arbitration committees for the adjustment of disputes between members of the guilds and their employees arising out of their labor, apprenticeship, and wage relations, and to create arbitration institutions for the adjustment of disputes between members of a guild, for which purpose several guilds may unite; (4) to further the creation of and themselves to establish and maintain trade schools; (5) to care for sick employees through the creation of new or the support of existing sick funds; (6) to care for sick apprentices; and (7) to prepare an annual report of the work of the guild which may be of use in the preparation of trade statistics. In addition to this regular report, guilds must, whenever called upon, furnish the chambers of commerce and industry of their districts information or advice upon particular subjects within their province. They must also es

The guilds have the right to impose and collect entrance fees or incorporation dues from their members and apprenticeship fees to be paid by the apprentices after the completion of their terms of service. The amount of these dues is fixed by the political authorities after obtaining a decision of the general assembly of the guild. Of the receipts from apprenticeship fees, not more than one-half may be used for general expenses; the other half must be used for the purpose of educating or otherwise benefiting the apprentices.

These guilds see that the provisions of the law regarding apprentices are carefully carried out. The law relating to this subject specifies that only competent persons shall be entitled to have apprentices,

and this right may be withdrawn if the employer misconducts himself or neglects the training of apprentices who are under his charge. The following are some of the important provisions of the law regarding the serving of apprenticeships in the Empire.

The engagement of an apprentice must be by an express contract, which must be definitely concluded at the end of the probationary period. This contract may be verbal or in writing. If verbal, it must be entered into before the executive board of the guild to which the employer belongs, or, when such an organization is not in existence, before the communal authorities. If the contract is in writing, it must be immediately transmitted to the guild or communal authorities. Whether verbal or in writing, the guild or communal authorities must enter the contract in a register to be kept for that purpose.

The contract must contain (1) the name and age of the employer, the industry which he carries on, and the address of his place of business; (2) the name, age, and residence of the apprentice; (3) the name, residence, and occupation of his parent, guardian, or other legal representative; (4) the date and duration of the apprenticeship contract; (5) a clause stating that in addition to the other legal obligations of the parties the employer binds himself to instruct the apprentice in his trade, or to have it done by a competent representative, and the apprentice will be

required to apply himself diligently to his trade; (6) clauses showing the conditions of the contract as regards apprenticeship fees or wages, board, lodging, and clothing, the duration of the apprenticeship term, and the guild fee for the certificate of indenture and release.

The more important features of the contract must be entered by the communal authorities in the labor book of the apprentice.

Except in cases otherwise specially provided for by law, the term of the apprenticeship must be not less than two nor more than four years in non-factory trades and not more than three years in factory trades. When an apprentice has served a portion of his term with one employer and is regularly transferred to the service of another, the time so served must be included in the entire term.

The first four weeks of the apprenticeship term must be considered as a period of probation, during which the contract can be terminated by either party. This period may be extended, but must not be longer than three months.

The employer must interest himself in the industrial education of the apprentice, and must not deprive him of the time and opportunity necessary for this purpose by using him for other purposes. He or his representative must look after the morals and deportment of minor apprentices, both in and outside the workshop. He must require of the apprentice diligence, good manners, and the fulfilment of his religious duties. He must not ill-treat the apprentice, and must protect him from ill-treatment on the part of fellow-workmen or members of his household. He must see that the apprentice is not required to perform work, such as transporting burdens, etc., which is beyond his physical strength.

The employer or his representative is further required to allow apprentices who have not yet been absolved from the obligation to attend an industrial continuation school, or an institution of equal merit, the necessary time for attendance at the existing general industrial continuation schools, as well as the trade continuation schools, and also to see that they do attend such schools.

Upon the termination of the apprenticeship, the employer must furnish the apprentice with a certificate, showing the trade in which the apprenticeship was served, the conduct of the apprentice, and the technical education that he has received. In case the apprenticeship is regularly completed, and the employer is a member of a guild, this body must prepare a formal apprenticeship certificate. In both cases the material contents of the certificate must be entered in the labor book of the apprentice and be attested by the local police authorities.

These provisions of the law are by no means a dead letter. They set forth the actual conditions

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THE SCHOOL OF PRINTING was established in January, 1900, by the North End Union, under the supervision of a number of leading master printers of Boston. It has had to demonstrate its purpose in practical results, and is gradually being recognized by those who realize the important need in the trade of such a method of technical instruction.

The aim of the School is to give fundamental and general instruction in printing-office work, and to offer young men, through a system of indentured apprenticeship, an opportunity to learn the things which are becoming each year more and more difficult for the apprentice to obtain in the restricted and specialized conditions of the modern workshop.

The course of study embraces book, commercial, and advertising composition, and platen presswork. The School is supplied with hand and job presses, roman and display types of various styles, and the usual furniture and material of a modern printing office.

The School is continuous and pupils may enter at any time. The hours are identical with those of a regular workshop, from 7.40 A.M. to 5.45 P.M., excepting Saturday afternoon.

The tuition fee for one year is $100. Applicants must be sixteen years of age or over.

For further information address SAMUEL F. HUBBARD, 20 Parmenter Street, Boston. Telephone Richmond 1069-1.

THE APPRENTICESHIP BULLETIN is intended to be issued each month in the year. Price 25 cents for the twelve numbers. The composition and presswork are done by the apprentices in the School.

under which most of the handicraft trades are learned at the present time. The practical instruction is obtained in actual shopwork under competent instructors, while matters of theory, trade drawing, etc., are taught in the industrial or trade continuation schools.

GE

ENIUSES, it must be admitted, are born, not made; no system of education can create them. But an efficient system of industrial education can accomplish three things; it can raise the general average of intelligence; it can develop specialized talent; and it can offer the opportunity for genius to find itself. Acting as an instrument of selection, by presenting industrial facts in a way to make young men responsive, it can turn to industrial ends abilities of all grades, the abilities of average men, of talented men, and of geniuses, abilities that might otherwise waste themselves in activities to which they are less adapted.-H. S. Person.

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