Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-12-27

ut is the duty OF every community" says
the department of labor, ito see that every
possible opportunity is given to them to get
jobs-and the best jobs for which they are
qualified. These men gave up their work at
the cOuntTy's call without hesitation. To
some of them their old positions are open;
with others, such is not the case. Still others
have acquired new purpose and strength and
in many cases new skill, which fits them for
better work than they did formerly. 1t Is
both national and community duty to see
that, as they come back, everything is done to
enable them to return to the position in which
they do the most effective work"
A certain responsibility also rests upon
mans family, which should encourage and aid
him in getting work. The government,
through the Woman's Committee of the CUc='
Gil of National Defense, is seeking the sup
port of every mother, wife and sister in this
important phase of reconstruction. For ex-
perience has shown that it is hard for re-
turning soldier to settle down to the routine
of working life. After the Civil War many
men were out of work for two or three years,
and some men who had made particularly
good soldiers absolutely refused to accept
civilian jobs.
Psychologists inform US that a certain
amount of difficulty in settling down to work
is to be expected of a large proportion of our
discharged soldiers and sailors. When
man is in camp or aboard ship he lives a re-
latively irresponsible existence. While he is
called upon to work hard, and must sleep, eat
and amuse himself according to army regula-
tiOns, he is relieved of the responsibility of
providing for himself and family. He does
not even have to decide what proportion of
his income shall be melted out to his wife.
The government decides it for him. This fact
that nearly every action he performs is in
obedience to military orders is apt to prove
destructive to- individual initiative. When
the man is discharged, and there is no longer
fosI oF
existence, it is apt to become disorderly, or,
at least, without plan. This swift trans
formation from excessive discipline to abso-
lutte liberty has turned many a Woodworking
man into careless idler in the past.
But, however natural this attitude of the
discharged soldier, it is bad thing for every
one concentration the man himself, for his
family, his community, and for the nation. 1t
tends to social disorganization. Thus the
government is seeking the cooperation of
everybody in helping every returning soldier
and sailor get back to work.
After making an elabor; tie canvass of the
situation, the department of labor is inclined
to take an extremely optimistic view concern
ing labor opportunities. 1t believes that there
will be job for everybody. The transition
from a wa to peace basic in industry is
going forward so gradually that there is lit
tie danger of hard times. Moreover, many of
our non-essential industries, curtailed and
suppressed during the war, are enjoying re-
newed prosperity. 1t is interesting to note,
for instance that since the signing of the
larmistice, more wOmens evening dresses have
been sold in New York than during the whole
period of the war.
The next four months of course, will be
the most critical period. After that the need
of labor on the farms will take care of any
labor surplus.
Furthermore, the government is determin-
ed that there will be no hard 'times-that
the men who were taken from their jobs to
fight will get those jobs, or jobs equally as
good, back again. If necessary, the govern
ment and the states will undertake public
works to supply the necessary jobs until in
dustry regains it's normal condition.