The Alaska daily empire., 1919-03-19
DEFENSE COUNCIL
 DISCUSSES WORK
 FOR ARMY MEN
Open Meeting of Council oi Defense and Legislature Discuss Question ot
 Work for Soldiers

A public meeting of the Territor- al Council of Defense yesterday af- ,ernoon, held in the hall of the House of Representatives, and at tended by many members of the Territorial Legislature, the question or organizing to secure work for re- turning soldiers was discussed. The meeting was a result of a telegram rom the National Council of De- fense, which urged the establish nent of such an organization. The National Council of Defense said the 'unds for maintaining such an or ;anization would have to be provid- d locally, as the National Council lad no money for that purpose.
 Manager George T. Jackson of the Alaska Gastineau said his company expected to provide places for every nan that left it's employ to enter he army He said already 50 per ,ent. of them had returned and gone work His company agreed to pro tide work for 100 additional men, provided they were miners. He said hey had all the common labor that hey required.
 Mill Superintendent Clausson of he Alaska Juneau said he was put ing men formerly employed by the company back to work, and that he would care for all who left the Alas t4 IS fast as they came. He said in he employment of additional men he preference would be given re- urning soldiers, but he said it would )e impracticable for him to make ny guarantee to take on any spec fic number of men, as that would 'epend upon the plans of the com any for increasing it's work. Superintendent Fozard of the La Ouche copper property of the Ken lecott Copper Corporation said that company is taking care of it's own nen as they return, and advancing transportation for the men when needed. He said the condition of I0e CODUeT IldIhcL udi lC4uliOo Oo IiiS reduction of it's forces to a number just sufficient to maintain the or yanization and keep the wheels turn ng over It would not, he said, 1e practicable for him to make any ;uarantee beyond the fact that his company would care for it's own men nd give preference to returning sol. Hers in hiring additional assistance. Railroad May Care For Some Men Representative John Noon said hat R. J. Weir, in charge of work for the Alaska railroad at Seward had told him that the railroad would ake care of $50 returning soldiers He said Seward people, himself ,mong the number were holding places for former employees who were in the army. He complained ,f the difficulty of getting men who re needed out of the army, and said hat he had had personal experience n that line that was not pleasant.
 Work in the Interior Later
 Representative E. B. Collins of Fairbanks said that he believed here would be as much work in the interior after May as there was last year, and that the country Is now stripped of laboring men, and he believed there would be work for a great many as soon as the season opened up. He believed 1t would be possible to get definite promises rom opertors to hire speclllc number of men.
 Railroad Situation Might Affect
 Things
 Gov Riggs called attention to the failure of Congress to pass approp- riation bills, and said that it might result in the discharge of a lot of railroad employees who would be seeking work.
 Will Make Inquiry
 The Council of Defense adopted a motion to consult with the various local Councils of Defense throughout ihe Territory relative to getting defl- nite promises from employers as to the number of men they would care for, when wanted, and the character of the employment so that 1t might he transmitted to the proper authori' ties.
 Vice cePresident John Rustgard pre- sided at the meeting.