The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-06-08

belonging to commissions which the
government viii bestow upon>ens ineers
and others competent to serve in the
capacity of Reserve officers. Others
are prompted by the fear that they
will be drafted at a later date in case
they do not volunteer at the present
time. 1t is entirely probable that many
of these men will be released from
military duty and returned to the in
dustries at a later date, as was done
in France and England. But why not
prevent the disruption Of the essen
ttal Industrial organizations? Why not
keep their first line forces in action
and their reserves in readiness.
Why does not the government take
immdiate action in connection with
this matter? In case it. does not ap-
pear proper to discourage the patriotic
spirit by which these men are prompt
ed, by declining their services when
offered, it would certainly be in order
to accept their services and detail
them as members of a National Indus
trial Reserve for duty in connection
with the industrial work for which
they.are. already trained and efficient.
This would operate to satisfy the pa
triotic desires Of the individuals as
well as to preserve the organizations
in which the government must depend
in the very near future. 1t would give
these men status which would be
recognized as honorable and in the
best interests of the country.
Duty of the Individual
Thoughtful consideration suggests
the fact that to answer such ques-
tions as Can I serve my country or
'.Shau I follow the flag is under the
present circumstances, not a proper
basis on which to determine the duty
of the Individual. The question which
every loyal American must ask him
self is ''How can serve my country
most efficientlyg" No man who has
the welfare of his country at heart
can fail to be inspifed by the num-
berless flags which are displayed
throughout the country and by the
marches and military drills which may
be observed daily on practically every
village green Of the state. But with
all our patriotism let US not forget
to give time to serious thought. To
those of us who are thrilled by the
military feats of Washington and
Grant and Lee-of Paul Jones. Perry
ana dewey, comes always Lie ooSAi .
to lead against the foe in battle or to
be one of the men in the front line
of military action. In every true
American there is the inherent desire
for service and sacrifice. But If we
answer correctly the question Where
can serve my country most efficient
ly? that answer in itself may entail no
small sacrifice if it obliges us to fore
!! go the honor and glory Of the battle
field for the less spectacular, but none
the less necessary or honorable, duties
of industry. Until the government
takes definite action every man must
decide as to his own duty, but ne
| should base his decision on real hard
thinking and not on sentiment alone.
It is understood that member OF
the Council of National Defense in a
recent message stated that those em-
ployes necessary for the. maintenance
Of munitions organizations should be
| impressed with the fact that in the
| production of war materials either for
| this government OF for the Allied
Powers a greater national service may
be rendered than through enlistment
in the fighting forces. This war will
be won by the skilled workers who
stick to- their posts in this country nc
less than by the soldiers on the firing
lines of Europe. Each man must de-
eide In calm and thoughtful patriot
ism az to just which task he is best
fitted to perform in the service of the
country to which he owes SO much