The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1913. LEARNING THEIR TRADE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 62, 13 November 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1913. LEARNING THEIR TRADE.

Covers of paradox will be delighted to ]eani f lla t twenty-six engineering toaehqj's in the United States have been enrolled among thd nieehanies it is their' business to train iti order that these nieehanies may teach them their business. These teachers have J been taken on at the works of the American ’Westing-house Company as ordinary paid apprentices of secondyear standing. During shop hours they learn engineering from the mechanics, and after shop hours the higher officials take them round for a tour °l inspection and instruction. The results are said to have been most encouraging, and when one has overcome the first shock of surprise there' is clearly nothing ludicrous about the arrangement. Quite the contrary, for engineering teachers must learn a portion ol their business from practical men. Usually this is dun - through 1 the intermediary of hooks, which impose a double barrier duo to the uncertainties of the written word and the lapse of time between the experience; of the writer and its partial absorn-i t inn by tin- teacher. The West inghonse method removes these difficulties, although, admittedly. 11 introduces others. Si ill. it has the great merit of introducing tin l teacher to concrete, realities, and even a trained mind; makes more rapid progress under these conditions than bv book-reading,