The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-04-02
SOLDIERS, FORMER
 PACKERS TO GET THEIR JOBS BACK


 the meat-pacEing industry to learn how returned soldiers are fitting again into industrial organizations were given out today. The survey was made by the Bureau of Public Relations of the American Meat Packers Association, and 1t included packing plants large and small, which do an aggregate yearly bugi- ness of several billion dollars,
 The survey shows that practically every employe returning from mili- tary service and applying for his old job has received 1t, or one just as good, and frequently better. Elm oloyers interviewed stated unani- mously that this policy will be con tinued as additional men are demob- olized.
 The figures gathered indicate that from the packing industry as a whole, about 3o,oOO men entered service, enough to make eight regiments at maximum war strength or a whole division with many left over.
 It Is believed that the experience with the re-absorption of those who have been discharged will be of value to other lines of industry in dealing with their returning workers.
 Tho percentage of men returned to work varies greatly. One company estimates that of their 5000 employees who took up arms, about 1900 are again at work. Another company, not far distant, reports that of Its 1900 men in service between 275 and 300 have returned to their jobs. A third company calculates that 1,5OO men out of 7.5OO in uniform have come back.
 The facts about returned soldiers, gathered from executives superinten- dents and employment managers, .may be summarized thus:
 Many mon have had their ambI- ton awakened and are coming back more purposeful.
 Very few men acquired an exag- Eerated idea of their capabilities. Some men obtained in the army special training which qualified them for better positions than they left
 Nearly all employees who went to war gained a keen appreciation of health and of recreational activities.
 Many plants are absorbing the re- turning soldiers without displacing other workers. In cases where the surplus of workers has been too great. the emergency workers have retired with good grace in favor of ex-sol- diers Few women are losing their places.
 Shifting within organizations caus- ed by changing conditions has made the problem of accommodating the soldiers more complex In one com pany, it was found that the number of employees needed in the meat canning departments decreased from 900 to 1,50O This necessttated great shifting.
 Many returning soldiers have found that their wage scale has been 1n- creased forty per cent and more.
 Practically all men were told when they entered service that work would be waiting for them on their return. When the armistice was signed, some of the larger concerns at once wrote to their men in service inviting them to come back, when discharged, to their old jobs.
 A variety of plans were adopted for keeping in touch with the men. Some companies established foreign offices to maintain contact with the men overseas. Others sent self-ad- dress could be recorded. These meth es and checks, so that changes of ad- dress coulr be recorded. These meth ods will be continued as long as any men remain in service.
 There are numerous specific in- stances wherin military training quail flied the men for better positions. One employment manager said to an investigator for the Bureau of Pub lie Relations: 'There's certainly one man who can have a better position than formerly as soon as he wants it.
 err. Had baa,, a ge0era1 ror7stab boy1+ "a sort of handy man-about the plant. He went to war, won a cap taincy. the Croix de guerre and other honors. He's in this country await ing discharge. and responsible work is awaiting him" Most of the men are eager for i'm mediate work. but some of them wish first to exhibit their trophies. An employment manager said:
 We had little man weighing sheep whom we called 'Whitey.' He entered service.
 "A few days ago he came back here, his chest glittering with medals. a bunch of German helmets tied to- gether and dangling around his neck. three German automatic rifles slung over his shoulders.
 "rDo you want your job now. Whitey!? I asked.
 "'Yes, want it, he said. but want to wait a month. l just want . to stroll around a little We are holding his place for him."
 Another man who had been a clerk at $25 a week entered service as a private acquired captains commits sion. an acquaintance with the French and a wife
 T think I am worth more" he said when he got back. F Ills employers thought so, too. Y They placed him in their foreign de- partment on a salary of $50 weekly. with assurance that this figure would < be increased substantially within few months.
 S It Is found in some instances that, : by tacit agreement, preference in ern- ; ployment is given to eX-soldiers even J when they never worked previously 3 for the company engaging them. R This was discovered when one Superintendent ordered that all eX- soldiers hired be listed on a colored showed that de-