South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-21
REEDUCATI0N OF MEN
DISABLED IN WAR Is
NOT ACT OF CHARITY

II 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
eminent of the United States is a
charity proposition, n on that ac-
count some OF them are inclined to
reject it.
II is quite the reverse. The gov
eminent takes the position that as
IL called these men in health and
strength from their pre-war occupa-
ions. the moral duty upon The gov
eminent is to make restitution as
far as possible. The medical au-
thorities do all hat is possible u
restore the men TO health and
strength by specialized education
The abilities that remain to the man
are developed to their utmost limit.
and the result is hat he is able to
do some n thing particularly we'll.
For instance, an i~nfantryman who
was disabled with his left hand gone.
through an amputation following a
severe wound, had been a plumber
for sixteen years before entering the
service. AS a plumber needs both
his hands, he manifestly could not
continue in his former occupation.
The federal board for vocational ed
ucation considered that as "A plum
Der knows all about drains, sinks.
leaks and stoppages. and the like.
he was good raw material TO rams
form into a sanitary inspector. He
is now undergoing that training, be
ing supported by the government az
the rate of S65 per month. and when
he has finished, a job will be found
for him. and in addition to his sal
airy. 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 fiat feet" that
is. the arches Of his feet became dis
located. 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-
ton which he can follow. and will
give him a good livelihood.
Another instance is that Of the
first man placed for reeducation by
the federal board. a young Greek
who had come to this country in
1912. He was violently American,
and pro-ally, had hled naturaliza-
ton papers, and he volunteered in
the American army. Being a baker
he was put at doing that which he
knew best, so hat his army ser
vices were in the army cantonment
bake shop. During the winter of
1918, in transferring from the hot
bake oven rooms to the bitter cold
outside, he developed a severe case
of sciatic rheumatism, which neces
STATED his discharge.
He could not speak good English
and his education had been very
limited in Greece, but he had an
ambition TO become an American
business man. The federal board
concluded TO give him a thorough
course in a business college, and he
is now in a Washington institution
and making very remarkable prog
ress. according 20 the reports OF his
instructors. His English is as good
as that OF the average American to-
day. He writes "A good letter, han
dies the typewriter we'll and has a
remarkable faculty for acquiring
business knowledge. Already he has
been offered several good positions
which ne has wisely declined, in
tending 70 continue until his bust
ness education is first class in every
respect.
Men who have gone into business
life under the handicap from injur-
les suffered in the army and have
found the burden too great. are still
entitled to this free retaining and
by addressing the federal board for
vocational education. at Washington,
will be given all necessary informa-
ton and assistance.