Norwich bulletin., 1915-06-02
German School for Wounded.

The first school in Germany for wounded soldiers who must. because of the nature of their injuries, change their trade or occupation, has been opened in Dusseldorf, with a large at tendance.
 In the class rooms of a big industrial school formerly occupied by boys and girls there now sit hundreds of sol diers, painstakingly learning to write with their left hand because their right has been shot off, or mastering the intricacies of bookkeeping or some similar. occupation at which they may hereafter earn their living.
 The project is that of the city of Dusseldorf, and has the backing of practically every business man in the city. The cooperation of the lattar is of vital importance because places must be found for the soldiers as soon as they have become proficient in their new work.
 The work has three distinct phases, aimed to help three separate classes of wounded. In the first division come those who if possible are to return to the field but need expressing occupa- ton during the term of their convales- cence. For them a course of study ranging from four to six weeks has been instituted.
 Into a second division fall those who are wounded in such a way that they cannot go back to the identical work which they did in peace times, but who if possible are to learn some other branch of their own trade. Thus for instance a former mechanic accus- toned to a given type of work can be taught the office routine of his trade and can be fitted to step into the counting room.
 Into the third class of soldiers fall those who must change absolutely their trade and kind of work. Their course takes the longest, and includes a period in which both the men and their instructors study the situation to see what speciality the men are best fitted for. Their education includes a careful theoretical basis on which is imposed a, practical superstructure.
 The huge school building in the F'aergerStrasse contains a number of classes in bookkeeping and general of flee routine-attended chiefly by sol diers who have been wounded in the feet or lower limbs and cannot move about readily but who otherwise are sound. There is @ machine shop at which a variety of trades can be taught to men who are capable of working at machine with their hands but cannot use their legs to any great extent. A mechanical drawing de- partment, @ printing shop, a, course in architecture for former members of the building trades who now must learn the theoretical SlQe or Cnelr trades, an electrical laboratory, and courses in languages for men who have ambition to become salesrnen after the war have also been provided.
 Twice a week a prominent Dussel- dorf economist delivers lectures on in dustrial and economic subjects to students who somewhat 1aboriously but very intently follow him and com pete with each other much as gram mar school children might in answer ing the somewhat simple and obvious questions which he interjects in his address.
 Not the least important side of the big school is it's employment bureau, which works in conjunction with the big manufacturing plants of the city. Scores of soldiers unfit for further service in the field have already been placed in both new and old occupa- tions about Dusseldorf.
 The school is absolutely free, as are also the board and maintenance of the soldiers.
 The length of the courses varies, but on the whole is shorter than might be anticipated. Over 40 men were equip ped between February 1 and Easter, for various branches of the mental trade, and now are in special courses which they will soon complete.