New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-08-02
TEACHING CRIPPLES
To become USEFUL
Red Cross Opens Four Schools in
New York

New York. Aug. 2-American sol
diers and sailors crippled in the war
are to he given every opportunity, in
addition to war risk insurance in
demnity and PENSIONS to learn new
trades or professions in order that
they may resume their place Of use
fulness in civil life without the hand
leaps that ordinarily surround O.
man deprived of arms, legs, sight or
hearing.
One of the most interesting insti-
tutions that has heen esta blished here
as a result of the war. is the Red
Cross Institute for Crippled and Dis
afled Men at 81 Fourth avenue.
where four schools. the nuclei of
others that are. it is said. to be or
gained in Chicago, st. Louis and
other places. are now under way
teaching cripples the manufacture of
artificial limbs, linotype and mono
type opera ting mechanical drafting
and oXy-a CetyIene welding. These
four local schools have teaching
capa city for 800 men.
The recent passage by congress of
the Smith, Sears bill. providing an
appropriation of 100000 to be used
in the discretion OF the federal board
Of vocational education contemplated
it is said, the elaboration of the plans
which are now being worked out in
this city. Soon, it is thought there
will be additional schools in many
other parts of the United States and
other studies and trades will be
added to the list. The new law au-
thorizes the communicating of pri-
vate and public institutions for the
re-education of crippled soldiers aid
sailors and, where necessary, the
building of new schools
Four trades were selected for the
New York school because they were
in fields that were not overcrowded.
soldier or sailor, for instance, in
stead of having to pay $50 to 5000
for an artificial limb may procure
one for $50 and, if he desires. be
taught how to make it himself, at the
same time acquiring a trade that will
pay him 81 to S. day,
Frank r. Bigler, a cripple for 81
years and minus a leg and an arm,
is the industrial agent of the insti
tute which was founded about a, year
ago by jeremiah Milbank with an
initial endowment of $4,000 and a
building in which to carry on it's
work. Mr.. Bigler came from Kansas
City, Mo, his services being loaned
by an industrial corporation there, to
instill optimism and good cheer into
the minds of all returning war Grip
pies,
Douglas c.. McMurtrie, director Of
the institute a. graduate of the Mas
sachusetts Institute of Technology
and in charge of the departing nt of
printing at Columbia university, has
made Il study of the social and eco
nonic reconstruction Of cripples for
more than eight years.
Mr.. McMurtrie made it clear that
while the institute has no official ar
rangement with the government au-
thorities relative to the utilization Of
it's facilities in the reha bilitation Of
war cripples, that department being
in charge of Surgeon General Will
liam c. Gorgas, when soldiers and
sailors are discharged from army and
navy hospitals then the institute will
offer them every chance to pay ex-
penses while learning their new trade,
funds will he advanced them as a.
loan to enable them to continue their
training until competent to take a
Job.
The institute, however, is a national
activity of the American Red Cross,
responsible to the war council
through the director general of mil
itary relief, Jesse H. Jones. It is
the only non-commercial institution
Of the kind in the United States, says
N1r. McMurtrie. and its purpose is
broadly humanitarian, taking in CT
william as we'll as military cripples. 1t
is not q charita BILE institution but in
tended to be self-supporting.
ALREADY the national authorities
have gone on record" said Mr.. Nc
Murtrie. as accepting without reser-
walton responsibility for the after
care of men injured in the service.
The surgeon-g generals office of the
war department is now preparing to-
provide for wounded men. not only
medical and surgical care, but also
the curative advances afforded by the
simpler forms of occupation. The
government is further inausurating
vocational training having as its OBJ
iect reha bilitatiOn for self-support.
The government. however. is disposed
to make use of, under due Suporvi~
sion, such private assistance as may
be offered and found of value