ters, glaziers, varnishers | 2,746 |
Plumbers, gas- and steam-fitters | 2,014 |
Bricklayers | 1,800 |
Machine woodworkers | 1,198 |
Sheet metal workers or tinsmiths | 1,069 |
Cabinet-makers | 895 |
Inside wiremen and fixture hangers | 750 |
Plasterers | 638 |
Paperhangers | 379 |
Structural iron workers | 356 |
Roofers and slaters | 315 |
Stone-cutters | 292 |
Lathers | 275 |
Stone masons and marble setters | 250 |
Ornamental iron workers | 200 |
Cement finishers | 200 |
Hoisting engineers | 150 |
Elevator constructors | 100 |
Parquet floor layers | 100 |
Tile-layer | 100 |
Asbestos workers | 75 |
Wood carvers | 63 |
Helpers | 926 |
Apprentices | 306 |
----------------------------------------+------------------+
Total | 22,302 |
----------------------------------------+------------------+

APPRENTICESHIP

The general decline of the apprenticeship system which began with the
invention of modern labor-saving machinery has affected the building
trades least of all. Here it survives in an active state and is
steadily gaining ground. It is in favor with many employers and with
all unions. The best apprenticeship systems are found in the strongly
organized trades.

It is true that in some of the trades apprenticeship is little more
than a name, meaning simply that permission has been granted to learn
the trade. The apprentice is left free to pick up what experience he
can between the odd jobs that are given him. What meager instruction
he receives comes from a journeyman worker who is none too eager to
give up what he considers the secrets of his trade.

The union regulations provide that b