A ROOM OF OUR OWN
Follette, Isabel Bacon La
A Room of Our Own Our Obligation Occupational Trends Pioneer Wisconsin By ISABEL BACON LA FOLLETTE IN THIS period of turmoil, people have looked more and more to government. Whether or not some...
...Two purposes were behind this program...
...Whether or not it has a future will depend on the enlightened citizens of the state who will rise to its defence and demand its continuence...
...Here Is something for the civic, women's and service organizations who are eager to serve the public to get behind...
...Amazingly enough, the survey found that there are some 250,000 jobs going begging in 29 states...
...A successful worker must know how ''and act...
...Whether or not some citizens approved of this, the majority demanded increasing services and privileges, education, playgrounds, health, housing, public work and relief...
...Most of us are aware of the woeiul lack of understanding among the general public of the problems facing government today...
...If democracy Is to meet the test of this hectic period, its public servants must be the best in mind, training and character that our country affords...
...The 25 apprentices in the first batch served for a year...
...She saw the need, and simply assumed that the supply would be, forthcoming...
...The Wisconsin State Employes association has been active In promoting and organizing In-service training for themselves on an un-offlcial basis...
...The apprentices served under immediate supervision of experienced administrators, and for 10 months attended regular Saturday morning lectures and discussions on the administration of Wisconsin government...
...They represented about 15 different fields of specialization, and were distributed in 16 different departments...
...Not only was the program an attempt to interest the public, the university and colleges in the problem of better public administration, but the program brought home to capitol employes and department heads the importance of training...
...Because people sense the complexity of these problems, and are confused by the world they see...
...Since we are considering one small problem of practical idealism for our young people, it will be interesting to consider for a moment the result of a 12-year survey of national occupational trends studied by the National Vocational Guidance association...
...For its modest cost it Is the finest kind of Investment in the public service...
...The general appreciation of the value of this program did not save it from the Hell ax...
...Unfortunately, many ot us have failed to recognize that at the same time that every privilege involves an increase of obligation...
...Even our democracy cannot stand if the citizens increase their demands upon the government without at the same time increasing their contribution to the general welfare...
...Many people have the strange idea that while a teacher, farmer, skilled mechanic, or doctor needs training, that anybody is qualified to be a public health officer, a conservation expert, or even a governor...
...The increasing demand not only from the so-called "pressure groups" but likewise from civic, women's and service organizations for more government services means that we mast likewise assume two serious responsibilities: first, the obligation of paying for them, in the form of taxes, and second, of understanding the problems of our government administtration...
...The attitude is like that of my four-year-old who this morning joyfully pointed out a hole In her shoe with the words, "We'll just have to buy a new pair, won't we...
...Three others, in addition to the 25, resigned before the year was up to take permanent positions as a result of ranking among the highest three in the regular civil service examination...
...To enable the needy student to compete in this field, the University board of regents was authorized by the legislature to grant loans—not to exceed $400— to any apprentice chosen from the university to aid them through their last year of college work...
...Why not bring the matter before your club...
...Under this provision, in July 1938, 25 university and college graduates went into temporary positions la the Wisconsin state government...
...In some regions they are called Republicans, in some Democrats, in some Progressives, but whatever the label they are agreed on the necessary programs...
...The survey found that a well-rounded personality was more essential to success than a brilliant intellect or training, but it likewise learned that the successful worker must be able to adapt himself to changing conditions...
...to get along with other people...
...Two years ago under the last Progressive administration the legislature enacted a law providing for what was known as in-service training, or apprenticeship in government service...
...Discussion leaders were department and division heads...
...The department heads, on the whole, felt that they were receiving excellent service at very low cost, and they also recognized the value of the program In interpreting thlr work to the public...
...The report I read stated some interesting points, for example: that while the three R's are still important, the "three C's'—courtesy, courage and cooperation are even more so...
...They spelled the difference between employment and unemployment for at least a quarter of a million men and women...
...They know that the country has got to go onto a real work basis...
...their disposition is to demand the services but, because their pocketbooks are flat, resist paying for them...
...Even In my humble way I've observed this truism, but I was surprised to find the committee stressing the Importance of the successful worker knowing the world in which he lives...
...The outstanding student wants to enter a profession where he can earn a comfortable living, but most of them are likewise eager to have a constructive hand In helping solve our complex social problems...
...These "public service scholars'' were appointed by the regents...
...Two words were blamed for the unfilled jobs,—the two words "adequately trained...
...One aspect of this always impressed me when I saw the stacks of applications coming into the governor's office for appointments in the public service...
...First, the Improvement of the public service, and second, to Increase the citizens' understanding of the problems of government...
...I am sure you will understand my pride in Wisconsin's pioneer attack on one angle of this difficult problem...
...Their pay was $125 per month...
...Fortunately for our country, there are people who not only see through the confusion, but are embarked on a definite program...
...So far as the state service is concerned, the program assumed that the state government should have the same opportunity to employ the best brains coming out of our educational institutions as do the private concerns that comb our colleges every year...
...To my own knowledge, there was tremendous Interest among the students of our state university In this in-service training program...
...No better suggestion has yet been found than the Wisconsin apprenticeship system...
...They felt that the government was at last really opening up real opportunities in its own field at least...
...These young people were chosen on the basis of their outstanding abilities by their university or college committee, and the state director of personnel...
...They insist upon a distinction between "made work" and a sound program worked out on a prosperity rather than a depression basis...
Vol. 10 • March 1940 • No. 13
