The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1918-10-18
EVERYONE WORKS IN FRANCE.
spirit of Cooperation is Excellent
Declares Lieut.. Paul 6erthier' o.
French Ordnance Engineers.

Everyone works and there is fine
spirit of cooperation among the peo-
ple of France, according to Lieut..
Paul Berthier and other officers of the
mission of French ordnance engl-
neers in America where they are en-
gagged in important work for the
French Government.
Men, women, and children are all
gladly doing their part to free the
land from the invader, and although
long hours are the rule, there is no
complaint, for everyone realizes that
the task must be accomplished ana
that only by supreme eXertions will
it De possible.
In the great rush of the German in
vasion, back in 1914, France, fearing
for her very life, summoned every
man to arms. This was mistake,
for munitions factories were denud-ed
of their skilled workmen and many
Of them gave their lives in stemming
Won Kluck's sweep toward Paris.
When the realization came that the
munitions factories were hampered
and that their men could serve bet
ter there than in the army, a prob
lem was presented. For these men
were already in the army, and no one
left outside except the men past 4S
years of age, these physically unfit,
and few great specialists. Even the
managers of the shops were in the
fighting line.
The work or fight" rule at once
fLornfnrn hnnnpnn a rnolitU for
were sent back from the army to the
factories only so long as they could
serve better there than in the ranks.
If their work proved unsatisfactory,
they we're promptly returned to their
places in the battle line.
France has now found reservoir
of unskilled labor among the German
prisoners. They are used for ,heavy
work, and Chinese and Senegalese
workers have been imported for sup
plying other labor needs. Women
have shown remarkable adaptability
in the skilled trades, and do some
really remarkable work in the muni-
tions factories, particularly on shells.
The supply of male skilled labor Of
military age, however, can only be
increased by request to the ministry
of munitions for the services of men
at the front. In many factories
wounded soldiers have been employ
ed advantageously on certain work.
In practice the rule is that men are
not returned to munitions factories
unless they have passed their thirty
fifth birthday or have served two full
years in the army.
1t is not often necessary to send
men back from the factories" says
Lieut. Berthier. "The war is fact
to every man and woman in France.
We shall have to stop and think what
we shall do when the war is ended.
Everyone works for the war;
Think what it means that we have
made guns to enable America to en-
ter the fighting earlier than she could
have done! Think Of the land, fac
tories, the coal mines, and most OF
all, the men we have lost 1t is only
because everyone in France works
hard that we can have guns and am.
munitions for our allies and our own
armies. Although | understand that
other types Of 75's are manufactured
in England and America. know that
! at Bourges all the French 75's-guus
| that have become famOus-are made
for the French and American Armies.
Think what plant it is that can pro-
duce in qantity for several nations"
This tremendous output. according
to Lieut.. Berthier lis only possible
through keeping the factories going
"a hours day and days in the
week.