Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-21
ARMING THE ARMLEss FOR USE.
FULNEss.


ARMING THE ARMLEss FOR USE
FULNEss.
Superintendent Chittenden Of the Bur-
ngton school department is preparing
FOR thorough cooperation with State Com
missioner Of Education Hillegas in the
work Of applying vocational education to
the preparation Of soldiers incapacitated
in this war for usefulness in life's service
in various ways. This is a work as COM
as It is great, and one which
will receive the sincere support of all
patriotic citizens.
Never before did manned soldiers re-
ceive the consideration and care that are
characterizing their treatment in this
conflict. Wounded men are Immediately
taken in charge by the Red Cross and
other helpful agencies. The surgical and
medical service at work in this war Is
producing almost miraculous results in
the preservation Of life under conditions
that formerly would have been regarded
as utterly hopeless.
That 1t Is no longer true that republics
are ungrateful is demonstrated by the
far-reaching methods adopted by our
country to help make manned soldiers
thus restored to health useful to them
selves and their nation following the re-
turn Of peace. AS in the case with practice
n oil ~ he halt
eminent is laying the foundation for q
comprehensive plan whose immediate OBJ
ject is to conserve the natural resources
embodied In the returned soldier. and
whose ultimate object is to assist these
men to regain a place in industry. One Of
the items IN this plan is briefly described
in a report Of the secretary Of labor:
Land grants to soldiers of earlier wars
have passed into the hands Of land specu-
lators without much benefit to the soldiers
for whose relief they were intended. Re-
turned soldiers should be placed upon pub
lie land and helped to make their living
there. but without investing them with
tenure rights useless to them but attrac-
tive to spectators. For this purpose the
Crosser colonization bill, now pending in
the House Of Representatives. seems we'll
adapted in principle and easily adaptable
in terms. Without explicitly recommend
ing the enactment Of this particular bill.
the department urges legislation of the
colonization type for the rehabilitation OF
soldiers who earn such recognition in the
war, as we'll as for wage earners in gen.
eral"
The vocational educational work fol-
MANNED soldiers Is being carried out in
this same spirit. A few months ago the
newly created board for vocational edu.
cation. operating under the Smith Hughes
act. began an investigation into the whole
question Of vocational re-education and
rehabilitation Of crippled soldiers and
sailors. The investigation was aimed al
the development Of such facts as might
be necessary in the formulation of a M,
tional policy to handle the situation which
will arise on the return to the United
States Of war cripples in any considerable,
number.
Every belligerent nation in the presen
great struggle in Europe" declares an ON
cial statement Of the board. has takel
measures to restore its citizens, handi
capped as a direct result Of their militar
employment. 80 as to enable them. a
fas as possible. to resume useful indus
trial employment. This investigation
which is already we'll in hand, includes
study not only of the probable numbe
of men thus returned. but also a fsv,e,
of the economic issues involved. discus
sion Of methods Of financing and sdminii
terins tho work Of rs-sducation. and o.
animation Of possible agencies and meth
DDS Of cooperation. and a study Of tn
kinds Of workshops necessary to promot
further vocational education in thes
classes"
. Commissioner Hillegas Of Vermont he
entered heartily and with his accustome
thoroughness into this great work an
the details Of preparation are now bein
carried out in various directions In tn
State. We are glad that our State IL Z
be represented in this great work. Pal
of the expense will be borne by tho feeders
government and part by the State. Or
people will thus be sharing directly in tn
, humanitarian service and as the work pr,
. gressses we shall keep our readers inform
ed as to developments.
II what you want Ia to be hsi. class