New-York tribune., 1919-03-30
Colonel Arthur Woods Tells
Brooklyn Chamber of
Commerce Plan for Each
Town to Place Own Men
Start To Be Made Here
Col. Theo. Roosevelt Pleads
With Employers to Have
Patience With Ex-Fighters

First public announcement Of the
War Departments plan for getting re-
turned soldiers back into Jobs in civil
life was made yesterday at luncheon
of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Woods,
former Police Commissioner, now as
signed by Secretary of War Baker TO
the problem of soldiers unemployment
Several hundred members of the
Chamber, most Of them largo en-
ployers, expressed their support Of the
proposal, which is for the Chamber Of
Commerce Of each city to assume the
entire burden Of placing men from its
locality.
President James S. Davis announced
that Colonel Woods plan would be
initiated at once in Brooklyn. He will
form soon a committee of employers to
carry out Che proposal.
This committee will see the former
employers Of the soldiers and prevail
on them to reemploy men, even if it
means increasing their forces. If the job
no longer is available, the committee
will find another plan for the soldier.
Other Towns to Cooperate
The Chamber Of Commerce also is
asked to look after soldiers from other
cities who are stranded here. They will
write to the business organization of
the soldiers home town and arrange to
finance him until he gets back there.
{11
second speaker at the luncheon. He
pictured what the returned soldier had
gone through under fire-experiences
which, he said, made the men infinitely
better and assets in every business.
Before the addresses, H. V. Kalten-
born, the toastmaster, called for
silent toast to the memory of Theodore
Roosevelt and John Purroy Mitchell,
close friend of the colonel. The entire
assemblage stood in response.
Colonel Woods was in mufti, but
Colonel Roosevelt wore uniform with
three service chevrons and mourning
band on his left sleeve. Both were
cheered.
Colonel Woods made a plea for
patience with the returned soldier
Most Are Finding Jobs
"Most Of the soldiers to-day are find
ing Jobs quickly and are going to them
promptly" he continued. ut is
minority who do not seem able to place
themselves in suitable positions.
"Men left civil life, where they
shifted for themselves and looked after
wives and children. They did all this
for great cause After being demobil-
lied they are left to shift for them
selves again-the old life, but with
new spirit of doing great things for
others, of backing up great causes.
These men are coming back into civil
life with this feeling, and there is no
wonder they do not know where to
hitch on.
"These men don't want to be patron
lied, or bossed, or mothered, or made
objects of charity. They ask nothing
more from the government than the
government can properly give them.
The employer, too, is puzzled when he
gives jobs to men and finds that they
are little unsteady and do not buckle
down to the job right away. But the
men are better men for the experiences
they've been through, and the ambition
they have is a most precious thing.
Must Convince Employers
"Dig up the employers, find out why
they do not reoemploy the men. If the
employer is still in business, argue
with him. You should make it clear to
the employer that it is proud chance
to take back the soldier. If the en-
ploycr cannot give the job, the Cham
ber of Comerce should assume the
responsibility of placing the soldier
somewhere else.
"1f he is not Brooklyn man, but is
stranded here, you should take the
matter up with the Chamber of Com