Research


Scope and Content Note

The series contains statistical information and tabulations of the data gathered during enrollment with the Military Training Commission, as well as information on employment of farm boys and results of a survey of industries from around the state which employed boys.

Regarding the statistical information, each location covered has data on numbers of boys enrolled, their ages, whether born in America, whether parents are foreign born, number of children in family, age of boy leaving school, data on boys' employment, and other data. In the smaller locations the complete data are presented. In larger towns and cities a sample was selected to be analyzed. Some locations have multiple copies of the same reports and others have separate reports for high school boys and for elementary boys. New York City is not included in the reports. The series also contains blank correlation forms belonging to Howard G. Burdge.

Folders labeled "Tabulations" include various rough calculations for preparing the statistical information found in previous boxes. Some of the folders contain carbon copies of the completed statistical information. The original folders were marked "complete" or "partial," but there seems to be little difference in the contents; both types contain a combination of notes and completed surveys.

There is also a small amount of general material relative to the survey, including a statement of "General Uses for Employed Boys Questionnaire Data," and tables for some Hudson Valley Zone locations showing numbers of illegal school dropouts (i.e., those under 16 who had not completed 8th grade).

Employed farm boys were also studied through the information gathered via the enrollment. It was felt that this population had little contact with organized discipline and an in-depth study was needed. Livingston County was selected for this detailed vocational training survey of farm boys. Every boy between the ages of 16 and 18 working on a farm was interviewed and data was gathered on his family, education, and vocational plans. Several folders in the series contain tables of data collected from the employed farm boys similar to those published for the employed boys in Burdge's book, apparently in preparation for a companion volume. The Report on Employed Farm Boys contains the narrative to supplement these tables. There is a summary, data tables and rough tabulations of data, as well as a map of New York State showing the distribution of foreign born employed farm boys.

The Vocational Training Bureau also gathered information on various industries and on specific companies which employed boys. The information appears to have been gathered for the dual purposes of determining vocational exemptions and to provide vocational guidance. Investigators traveled to towns throughout the state for the survey. Information gathered on companies includes job descriptions and the number of employees for each job title by age and by sex. Most surviving reports are from the Hudson Valley Zone. Companies profiled include the Aluminum Company of America in Massena, the Newburgh shipyards, and New York Central Railroad. A detailed description of the printing trade is found in the Albany materials.