The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-09-12

the front of thousands Of crippled
soldiers. We must plan to give them
on their return the best possible
chance for the fture.
Dependence can not be placed on
monetary compensation in the form Of
a pension, for in the past the pension
system has proved a distinct failure
in so far as constructive ends are in
yolved. The pension has never been
enough to support in decency the av-
erage disabled soldier, but it has been
just large enough to act as an incen
tive to idleness and semi-dependence
on relatives or friends. The only COM
pensation Of real value for physical
disability lis rehabilitation for self
support. Make man again capable
of earning his own living and the chief
burden of his handicap drops away.
Occupation is. further. the only means
for making him happy and contented.
Soon after the outbreak of hostili-
ties the European countries began the
establishment of vocational training
schools for the rehabilitation Of dis
abled soldiers. They had both the
humanitarian aim Of restoring Grip
pied men to the greatest possible de-
gree and the economic aim of sparing
the community the burden Of unpro-
ductivity on the part of thousands of
it's best citizens. The movement had
its inception with Mayor Edouard
Harirot of the city of Lyons, France,
who found it difficult to reconcile the
desperate need for labor in the factor
les and munition works while men
who had lost an arm or a leg but were
otherwise strong and well were idling
their time in the public squares. He
therefore induced the municipal coun-
Gil to open an industrial school for the
war cripples which has proved the ex-
ample and inspiration for hundreds of
similar schools, since founded through
out France, Italy, Germany, Great Bri-
tain and Canada.
The disability Of some crippled SOL
former trade, but the injuries of many
disqualify them from pursuing again
their past occupation. The schools Of
training prepare these men for some
work in which their physical handi-
cap will not materially interfere with
their production. The education Of
the adult is made up largely Of his
working experience. The ground
work of training in his past occupa-
ton must under no circumstances be
abandoned. The new trade must be
related to the former one or be, per-
haps, an extension or specialization of
It, For example, man who had done
manual work in the building trades
may by instruction in architectural
drafting and the Interpretation Of the
plans be fitted for foreman's job
in which the lack of an arm would not
prove of serious handicap. A train
man who had lost leg might wisely
be prepared as telegrapher, so that
he could go back to railroad work,
with the practice of which he is al
ready familiar.
Whatever training is given must be
thorough, for an adult can not be sent
out to employment on the same basis
as a boy apprentice. He must be ade-
quately prepared for the work he is to
undertake The ne-armed soldier is
equipped with working appliances
which have supplanted the. old famil-
lar artificial limb. The new appli-
ances are designed with a practical
aim only in view; they vary according
to the trade in which the individual Ii
to engage. For example, the appli.
ance for a machinist would be quite
different from that with which WOOD
turner would be provided. Some ap.
pliances have attached to the stump g
chuck in which various tools or hooks
can INTERCHANGEABLE be held. The
wearer uses these devices only while
at work; for evenings and holidays hi
is provided with a dress arm" which
is made in imitation of the lost natur'
al member
An important factor in the success
of reeducational work Is an earl!
start so that the disabled man shall
have no chance to go out unemployed
into the community. In even shor
period of exposure to the sentimental
sympathy Of family and friends hi
twill to work" Is SO broken down tina
it becomes difficult to again restore
him to a stand of independence ant
ambition. For this reason. therefore
the plan for his future Is made at al
early a date as his physical condition
admits, and training Is actually unde
way before the patient Is out Of tn
hospital.
In the readjustment Of the cripple
soldier to civilian life. his placemen
In employment is matter or tn
greatest moment In this field tn
employer has a definite responsibility
But the employers duty is not entire
fy obvious. 1t Is, on the contrary, al
most Numerically opposite to wha
one might specifically infer it to b
The duty is not to take care Of frol
patriotic motives, q given number {