The Redwood gazette., 1918-12-25
GIVE THE MEN THEIR OLD JOBS

The Cleveland streetcar strike was
caused by the demand of the train
men that the places as conductors,
given to women in war time because
Of the scarcity of men, be restored
to the men.
The Cleveland controversy is pro-
phetic of others that will arise as
rehabilitation proceeds and the dis
charged soldiers seek their old jobs.
The solution in Cleveland, too, is pro-
baby the best that can be made.
Our young men went to the front
to fight for the rest of US, or to
training camps to prepare for the
business of fighting. They gave up
jobs, homes, prospects, and went to
The front for their country. What do
they not deserve of US when they
come back? @
At the very least, they deserve their
old jobs, no matter what displace-
ments or temporary dislocations are
thus caused. The first thing TO be done
in every possible case is to give the
discharged man his old place.
This policy will in many cases mean
the discharge of the new employee,
who is quite likely to be a woman.
What Of herz Well, that is question
that will often take care of itself, or
at any rate one that may be ans
wered by gradual and natural read
justments. Because of the war pres
sure women have gone into many oc-
cupations to which they had been
strangers. They came to the front
with the adaptability Of their sex and
with motives in which real patrio-
tism played it's part. They have serv-
ed their country well, but also they
have done well for themselves.
The emergency that drew them in
to industry and trade is disappearing
but many Of them, having tasted Of
independence and new freedom from
sex limitations, will now desire to
continue their employment, even
though men discharged from service
are thereby barred from their old en-
ployment. They will not willingly
doff the overhalls that typify not on
ly sartorial, but an industrial en-
ancipatio4
Nevertheless, it is their duty to
stand aside for the moment until the
men who made the greatest sacrifice
who put their very lives in jeopardy,
are placed. It is the duty Of employ
ers also to make this readjustment
for the sake Of the fighters.
This is not to say that women
should retire permanently into their
pre-war spheres. That would be i'm
possible. Gradually those who like
work which used to be- entirely mas
culine, but for which in war time
they have shown aptitudeGawill re-
turn to it. N
The chances are that, wien read
justment is complete, there will still
be scarcity of labor. immigration
during the war has fallen off to al
|moat nothing, nor is there much
prospect that it will be resumed on
the old scale for some years, since
Europe with her heavy losses in man
power is likely to absorb any pos
sible surplus. This prospective de-
ficit in the Nations labor supply will
be made up in two ways: By the
increased efficiency Of American in
dustry acquired under the stimulus
Of war pressure; and by the supple
ment Of feminine labor.
Economic necessity has to a large
extent overridden the barriers Of the
old American sentiment against the
entrance Of women into many heavy
occupations. This process was great
~ accelerated by the wars depletion
Of our man supply. The new condi-
tions must be faced, for we cannoi
expect to retrnce our steps.
| But the first duty il jobs fol- the
returning mel. The preblerpx ~ TIM
women will find it, own erad1 sol|
ution Minneapolis JourhaI.