The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-08-23
SIXTEEN DOLLARS A WEEK
FLORIDA Times-Unionl

Man in the unemployment bureau
in New York city, deploring the fact
that some of the men returning from
overseas have not yet gotten back to
work, says that the returned soldiers
are often found to have received and
spent their pay and bonus, and come
to the bureau without the price of a
lunch or even carfare, with which lat
ter equipment they might go on a
prospect for job This seems to be
a matter of hard luck until the gov
eminent or city employe writing the
long letter for the newspapers, spoils
1T by making fuss over man who
had recently been so desperate in his
need as to accept position Eat SIG a
week." The emphasis on this state
ment shows that he expected at least
500 week for this and every other
man seeking employment; and regis
tering scorn toward the public for not
furnishing such positions.
In Jacksonville recently a fond
mother told a friend that her son had
returned from overseas or a war-camp
somewhere, but had not yet found a
suitable position. He went to his
former employer, who offered him $50
week." she said, "but he has such
brilliant mind-of course he couldn't
accept place of that kind He must
have something very much better"
And the story, no doubt has been re-
peated in all parts Of the country and
everywhere. Hundreds Of men and
boys who were taken from the va
rious lines Of work to enter the army
have returned with the idea that their
former jobs are to be scorned. No
doubt some should be, for the draft
made no distinctions and gathered
in droves of loafers and oilers; but
the average young fellow who worked
tries again to get employment, and it
is unfortunate when many appear to
believe that the months or year or
two Of government service has dis
qualified them for real labor and de.
mand salaries that employers may not
see their way clear to give.
The two instances mentioned are in.
tended to illustrate condition that
should be studied The ex-soldier
who accepted place at what the
New York unemployment bureau man
evidently considers a pittance should
be an excellent example for others. It
appears from the details given in that
case that the exsoldier had married
just previous to his entering the SER
vice. He had, according to the story
and it's differences, taken upon his
shoulders the responsibility of fam
lily, while having little or no provision
for the future. Possibly his pay
from the government was $50 a
month, and maybe it was somewhat
more, but the fact that he is found
drifting in New York without any
prospect of a position indicates a total
lack of preparation for the inevitable.
II he Is worth it his new employers
will raise his salary or wages, and
his future is his own hands. The
Jacksonville boy who is said to have
declined the $50 week position may
find something better-or If not his
mother will support him and brush
his clothes. In times like these the
real man seizes upon whatever Cd.
portunity places in reach, and IL he
has the stuff in him, success comes in
due time.
We feel that every ex-soldier in
America should be given a fair
chance, and wherever it is possible for
employers to lean bit toward the
husky lads who have so creditably
worn the khaki, let them do it. But
the soldier boys must realize that this
is a work-a-day world and that merit
. counts everywhere in business. We
. are proud of our army and navy o.
emergency, but let the soldiers and
sailors understand, now and always
that there are no super-men in thi,
! country and the good fighters mus
! prove that he is also a good worke
. to remain in the high esteem of hi
fellows.
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