Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-06

ders. direct from the field hospitals.
This makes the learning Of a trade
part OF a mans military duty.
Tho government pays the schools 30
cents day for each soldiers board,
and tho school generally gives him
about 20 cents a day for his work.
Some OF this he is given to spend, and
the rest Is put away for him so that
when he leaves nc has IL little capital.
The government supplies him with an
artificial limb made to lit his individual
needs. and. II 1t be an arm, the school
often gives him the tools which can
be fitted to it, Some Of Italy's most
famous surgeons have been at work on
the design asd fitting of artificial limbs
Italy's problem in training theso
crippled soldiers is somewhat different
from that of her allies. II is still
largely an agricultural country; in
some districts AS many as go per cent
OF the soldiers arc farm workers In
til a short time ago Italy has not had
compulsory education. so that when it
comes to training "a wounded soldier.
the first question must always be, Can
he read and write"' AS a rule thcs G
young war cripples belong to tho very
simples. peasant class They know
little Of the country outside their own
village; they can imagine no occupation
but the common ones of shoemaker
tailor or post-office employee. AS rule.
IL is the latter job which they long for.
whether they can read and write or
not. they confidently expect that the
governmcn, will employ them in its
telegraph system or its post office, or
at least in the sale of salt and to-
bacco both Of which are monopolcs.
The new rc-cducation schools in the
large cities have chance to make life
over Tor thesc young pcasa nts. and 10
give them better opportunity than
they had before they were crippled.
In the first place. the men arc given
thorough course Of elementary school
ing. ending with strict examination
and diploma In their recreation
talks on geography and science. Thce Q
open to them new world. AS soon as
their injuries permit and while their
general education Is still going on,
they begin training at some trade
which can actually be practiced in their
home town. Italy has taken lead
from France in the matter Of voca :
I tional guidance. and in most OF the
schools the mems physical capacity is
tested By delicate measuring machines
before il is decided what work they
can hes; Dc.
OLD HANDICRAFTs STILL
FLOURISH IN SOME DISTRICTS
In the matter of tradce suited to
crippies, country like Italy. where
industry is not yet centralized, has
/ many possibilities. Many Of The old
handicrafts STILL flourish, and constitute
:hc main dependence Of certain dis
tricts.
OF course. every town has room for
a tailor and n shoemaker. and thest
/ trades are taught in all the schools
/ often with tho addition OF sadd.cry anG
basket weaving. Besides this. many
districts are famous for woodcarvinE
I or wood inlay. tor artistic hookbinding
I for art pottery and fine cabinc
making. Real ekill Ia ono OF these
I handicrafta is an immense asset 10 d
man whose leg has been amputatcd
| The school at Venice takes advantage
/ of this, and teaches its cripplca il.
/ famous crafts ~ STAMPED leather an,
! wrought Iron.
Since most ~ tho men arc going
back 10 tiny Villages where there are
! no large factories the aim Is to tea n
/ them some occupation which they car