New-York tribune., 1918-11-23
Demobilization Here and
Abroad Urged on Bust
ness Foundation
Labor Needs Would
Be Basis for Move
Food, Ships and Rail Work
ers First Released i'm
Order Named
lBy Theodore Nj. Knappen

By Theodore M. knappen
I. WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.-Secretary
ailabor Wilson conferred with Secre-
;ary Baker to-day regarding sugges-
ions Of the War Labor Policies
Board and Employment Service, looking
10 demoblization Of men now in camps
and cantonments at home in such
manner as to avoid congestion of dis
charged soldiers and discharged war
workers in places that are likely to
ss centres of unemployment.
i these suggestions are favorably
received by the War Department they
sH lead to a sweeping change in
General March's plan to demobilize
MMo men within thirty days, and
'aaa mnd them out at the rate of 3O.-
gasweek in solid trains to different
sarts Of the country.
8 Instead of being mustered out by
slisary units, the men will be dis
sasrgsd largely as individuals and &C
aiding to territorial and occupational
aassihcations. If the military unit
ssn is followed it might result, for in
aasee, in some thousands of soldiers
eng turned loose in such place as
sf'dgeport, Conn, where there is al
ssdy demoralizing release of war
seskers.
the labor department plan, so far as
! Is territorial one, would have all
ae soldiers from the great agricultural
sntss' released as soon as possible, as
us estimated that there is a farm
spor shortage of at least 10 per cent.
ne industrial group rehabilitation
snld be along the following classifca-
san:
Release Food Workers
ffst--lmmediate release of all men
sac we're employed in food production.
'asre is said to be great demand for
asa IN all food preparation industries,
Rn@as packing houses.
Second--Early release of skilled men
snlpbu'lding trades or adaptable to
ssaa. The Emergency Fleet Corpora
aan needs 100000 men.
fhird-Discharge of men who. were
% railroads or who were engaged in
sas manufacture of railroad, supplies.
"els is waiting for them.
toufth--Miners, especially the an
safaeite coal miners.
fHth--All keymen in industry, such
. managers of business, executives,
ssaaieai experts, proprietors of bust
ssss, etc.
''asa-Aen who are self-supporting,
Aussslonal men and all others who
~ hgeiy to be able to look out for
s1saseiyes, and all men who are prom
rsa Or are certain OF jobs.
ssr these groups have been re-
'sa and disposed of in a rather au-
Aas'c fashion the employment ser
= 'eeis that it would be able to place
& 'est without disturbance of the
s's market 1t is felt that the coun-
WI have no difficulty in absorbing
a.sn row in training on this side If
~ such plan is followed. 1t is be-
'o There is ample employment on
"aole, but that IL rehabilitation
-. !" conducted with judgment unnec-
y unemployment of the soldiers
men they would tend to displace
- s@ cause local unemployment and
wy IN the Industrial centres.
Ftan for Army Abroad
A. ior rehabilitation of the army
. s another plan is being worked
:" u'e Council of National De-
~ This would call for return of
Hsn BY military units in the orGcr
49,. ~.f'a'hty Of employment. To de-
,..-, Re the degree og assurance Of
!. s,4s,ssaeEt, J, IT IL proposed that just
s men we're called out terri
il. ~ 10 employment shall be found
=. 'as'o. The draft lists In each
sfasn'w would be taken In hand and
ssds of that community would be
ar b.. sscure promises Of employment
~ men II furnished.
iss III ~ iiste 81 promised places for
-. s".d-al men could be checked up
4fp.ds ,os&l draft boards and then
sksxs me tho War Department,
s nWeuid then proceed 70 check up
e-~s.--aasy unite With E.ege lists. In