Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-07-02
A Constructive War Measure
And Ge0rgia'S Part 1B 1t

M legislation has come from Congress than the
new act looking to the vocational rehabilita-
ton of permanently disabled soldiers Introduced
bv senator Hoke Smith. Administration meas
ure the bill passed without opposition and was re-
Gently signed by the President.
Its purpose is to protect against want or de-
randsnee the soldiers who are injured so seriously
that they cannot resume their wonted occupations
Records show that in the course of years fight
ing approximately ten thousand men out OF every
million engaged receive injuries of this character
This means on a basis of the present army and
navy strength that within the current twelve
month We shall have some thirty thousand men
incapcitated not only for further military serv-
ice. but also for work of the kind to which they
have been accustomed: and the number will in
crease as the army expands and the fighting
passes from the trenches to the open
What shall be done with these manned and
broken heores? Shall we cheer them wildly when
they first come home. and then leave them as
dereIicts to drift into beggary or dependence!
some OF them it is true, will have kinsmen or
friends smuIy able and willing to support them;
but no man who is a man he content TO live
m aims even though the kindlest and most lavish
hand bestow them. The majority of permanent
II disabled soldiers. moreover will have no such
rrou Their chief il not only economic reliance
outside of their allOtments under the War RISK
Insurance system. will be either themselves or
promiseuous charity. II they cannot earn iv-
ing they must beg it, and the nation leaving
them to that shift would be shamed and dis
bonored. No amount of money which either the
Government or private philanthropy might
sispeuse could compensate a soldier for lost
usefulness or keep him happy in idleness.
Rut supuose he can be made to feel and know
that ne i still in the ranks, producer If not
fighter making his daily bread in proud indie
peudence laying up competency aginst
old age, contributing to the community's needs,
pIayiug a mans part in world of men. What a
prics-ess gift that will be, And with what deep
gratitude and genuine pride the soldier Will re-
csiye 1t,
That is lust what the Smith act for the re-
habiIitation of permanently disabled soldiers pro-
vides Under the competent direction of the
Federal Board for Vocational Education systems
of practical schooling will be established for men
of the army and navy who have lost limbs or
ewes or in any other way have been untitled for
their accustomed work. What marvels can be
wrought in this rare province OF education, the
experience of the French and the English abun-
dainty proves Men without arms have been
trained to perform valuable labors. Men with
out feet OF legs have learned to do tasks of skill
which paw them much better, in some instances,
than their original trades. Blind have been
Taught to use their other senses and their hands
to such advantage that they have become inds-
nensable workers. II is a matter of record that
more thap eighty per cent of the permanently dis
sbIed can be re-educated for useful seIf-sustain-
ing employment.
The fruits of this measure will be as precious
TO the community and the nation as 10 those per-
zonaIIy concerned. Think of the industrial and
social benefits OF converting tens of thousands of
HELPLESS men into efficient producers. Many of
these becoming expert artisans and mechanics,
can help TO carry on the manifold labors behind
the army and thus release ablc-bodied men for
the front They will be- exceedingly valuable. too,
after the war when there will be general need Of
Reconstruction ana general scarcity OF skilled Ia
hor The Rehabilitation act is, therefore, OF ma
.zrlaI concern the coUntry's common interests
as we'll as TO every with the cOlors, every man
subject to the draft and the families and
friends of them all. Together with the insur-
ance plan, It provides FOR the prompt solution OF
human and economic problems which otherwise
would never be solved but would grow more per-
picking and more tragic for half century TO come
1t is admirable measure in every respect, far
Eisioned and humane. filled with assurance for all