The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-03-04
YANKS' TRAINING
NOT CHARITY But
DUE WOUNDED MEN

WASHINGTON March 4.--It has
been found after coming in contact
with many disabled soldiers and
sailors that some Of them have the
| idea that the free trade training
placed at their disposal by the gov
ernment of the United States is a
charity proposition, and on that ac-
count some of them are inclined to
reject it.
1t is quite the reverse. The gov
ernment takes the position that as it
called these men in health and
strength from their pre-war occupa-
tions, the moral duty upon the gov
ernment is to make restitution as
far as possible The medical au
thorities do all that is possible to
restore the men to health and
strength and the government then
proceeds to neutralize impairmcnts
by specialized education. The abili-
ties that remain to the man are de-
yeloped to their utmost limit, and
the result is that he is able to do
some one thing particularly we'll
For instance, an infantryman
who was disabled with his left hand
gone, through an amputation follow
in ga severe wound, had been
plumber for sixteen years before en-
tering the service. AS a plumber
needs both his hands he manifestly
could not continue in his former oc-
cupation. The federal board for vo-
cational education considered that
as a plumber knows all about leaks
drains, sinks, and stoppages, and the
like, he was good raw material to
transform into a sanitary Inspector
He is now undergoing that training,
being supported by the government
at the rate of $65 per month"; and
when he has finished, a job will be
found for him, and in addition to his
salary, he will get his pay from the
war risk insurance bureau
Another instance is that of the
soldier who had been a barber, but
from some of the severe hikes in the
army developed FLAT feet" that is,,
the arches of his feet became dislo-
Gated, making it painful for him to
do much walking, or to stand any
length of time. AS a barber knows
all about razors, the federal board !
built on this trade information and !
the man is now taking a course as
an expert razor grinder, an occupa-
tion which he can follow, and will |
give him good livelihood.
Another instance is that of the
first man placed for re-education by |
the federal board, a young Greek
who had come to this country in |
1912. He was violently American,
and pro-ally, had filed naturalization
papers, and he volunteered in the
American army. Being baker he
was put at doing that which he
knew best, so that his army services
we're in the army cantonment bake
shop. During the winter of 1918, in
from the hot bake oven
rooms to the bitter cold outside, he
developed a severe case of sciatic
which necessitated his
discharge.
He could not speak good English
and his education had been very
United in Greece, but he had an
ambition to become an American
business man. The federal board
concluded to give him thorough
course in a busines college, and he
S now in a Washington institution
md making very remarkable prog
'ess, according to the reports of his
His English is as good
Is that of the average American to-
lay. He writes good let er,
handles the typewriter well and has
remarkable facility for acquiring
knowledge. Already he has
,een offered several good positions
which he has wisely declined, inteE1-
n gto continue until his businesj
ducation is first class in every re-
pect.
Men who have gone into business
ife under the handicap from in
uries suffered in the army and have
ound the burden too great, are still
ntitled7 to this free retraining and
" address the federal board for vo-
ational training, at Washington. :
Yill be given all necessary informs-
ion and assistance.