Maple Avenue Evening High School - Progress Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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learn to read plans. It is not essential for the men in the building trades to become accomplished draughtsmen but, if they can picture in their minds what the architect shows on a plan or an elevation, they can express in a concrete form to a better result than when they have to be told by some one else what the drawing means. Most hf us see objects in perspective, the designer shows objects in right lines at true lengths or to scale. The men in the trades can be easily taught to picture the object as it appears when assembled without spending years of study as draughtsmen. The blue print which the builder has on the job seldom shows the struc- ture in isometric projection. If it were so he would see the finished job beforehand because it would appear to him like other objects about him. It requires considerable training to become a skilled draughtsman but that is not necessary for the average builder. He should, however, study free- hand sketching which will enable him to express his ideas in such a way to the mechanic that there will be no doubt in the mechanic's mind. So much material is wasted and work bungled up through inability to interpret plans that, if the man-hours and man-days wasted daily on build- ing work from this cause could be counted, the sum would be appalling. - Many workmen who claim to be master workmen in their trade are inefficient because they cannot interpret blue prints. This is largely their own faultg it is comparatively easy to learn if one is willing to study along a definite line of endeavor. There are too many workmen today who content themselves with the idea that they know enough to get by , as the expression goes. The time is rapidly approaching when greater technical skill will be required. If higher pay is expected by the craftsman he must be able to deliver the goods and no one can do that without being prepared to the highest standard attainable. T To that end then, every artisan in any trade should be able to interpret plans of the work he is performing, learn the language of the designer and the result will be a better product, less waste, higher wages, lower cost to the buyer and satisfaction to all parties concerned. Page Thirty-six

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A plan Reading By HOWARD B. BERRY Head of Architectural Drafting Dept. HE old system of apprenticeship has broken down and nothing has been evolved to take its place. Now-a-days, when a boy leaves school, systematic training in his daily task ceases. Under the apprentice system he was required to work to a standard set by the master Workman. The apprentice was taught the how and why of things. Youngimen who go out in search of employment now, bluff their way along until hiring and firing becomes a frequent occurence. ,Schools must be provided, if this problem is to be solved, where every man who wishes to learn a trade may continue systematic study and practice in his chosen work. Lack of confidence and technical skill soon lower the stand- ard of production. If part-time day schools and evening schools were provided for the boys of apprentice age, many would avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded. One of the biggest handicaps confronting the average present day mechanic is his inability to read architect's drawings. Cannot Build Without Plans Every .building structure of any kind is evolved from a set of pre- arranged plans and drawings, detailed and dimensioned sufficiently to ex- press the ideas of the architect or' person who conceives them. A practical knowledge of architectural drafting is vitally essential to the builder or contractor who expects to win success in the building business. The builder who is able to interpret plans readily has a decided advantage over the one who does not know the architectural symbols on a drawing or the method of projecting intersecting areas. The men who actually do the- work of erecting a building but cannot read the plans from which they are supposed to work, may be numbered by the thousands. Schools must be provided for them where they can ifaga-Pfhmyiiae

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Sl-:iii and Quality the Demand Tracie Extension the Hope By D. C. CASSELMAN Secretary-Manager Los Angeles Builders' Exchange T no time in history has there been such a demand for skill, quality, and general efficiency in the building industry as V the present. While we may be equal, in a degree, to meet the exigencies of to-day, what of the future? Without elaboration or comparison as to other crafts, mention of the fact that Govern- ment statistics show that 53? of the plasterers of to-day are forty-six years of age or older, may be of interest. What is being done to supplant the retiring members of this partic- ular craft and others as Well? The Vocational Training and Trade Exten- sion Schools appear the very best short cut practical solution, and the thought and theory developing throughout the land is evidence that such schools as the Maple Avenue Evening High School should receive the united recognition and support of the community. The department at Washington, Board of Education, and civic organi- zations in general, have recognized the importance and beneficial results of such work, properly applied. This is not intended for the apprentice alone, in fact, the endeavor is beyond, all things included. The Worker who is ambitious, industrious, and far-seeing enough to realize the value of better trade training and to devote his spare time to Page Thirty-seven