The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-12
THE Elk SERVICE MAN IN INDUSTRY

What is the problem of the return
e soldier? How does he feel? Is he
read justing himself to civil life expe-
ditiously and with will? What is
his state OF mind?
These and other questions have
been asked by Colonel Arthur Woods.
assistant secretary of war in his work
of securing employment for return
ed fighting men. He has put them to
individuals and to the heads OF the
welfare organizations which have re-
sponded TO the governments call TO
help the soldier and sailor back to
civil life and to put them where their
great deeds so richly deserve.
Conditions In New York city are an
every day story in the Chelsea Neigh
bo~hood association in district
where 100000 persons are employed.
Reports from employers In this dis
trict collected by the association are
very eniightening.
AS J. c. Kemp Vance. Jr.. its secre-
tary, says; "All agreed that the men
are at first restless. They chafe un-
der the regular restrictions OF indoor
work Their physical nervousness
passes off very rapidly, and In most
"a Sos within two or three weeks-~How
This has been recognized and met by
one of the foremost department stores
in Chelsea is as follows: Their re-
turned men are permitted to leave
their work for half an hour both
morning ard afternoon, in order to
walk off their nervousness out OF
doors The most significant result OF
thi method is the reaction on the
men themselves as well as on the rest
OF the employees. Not one of the
men abrse their privilege. On the
contrary they frequently had to be
requested TO leave their work and
take advantage of their period OF re-
creation.
THE majority of the men relin-
pushed their privilege after the first
week and none have evidenced the
least need or desire for it beyond the
third. AS for the reaction on the
Iother employees. instead of the slight
est discomfort, they feel the returned
men deserve the added recreation and
ike pride in being able to participate
III making the privilege possible. 1t
has fostored warm spirit of loyalty
throughout the entire group Of en-
p,oyes both for their country and FOR
their management
But deeper and more enduring
than the 50 rficlal restlessness which
can be c3.*ed by recreation is their
mental restiessness. Employers de-
|clare that their returned men are
more anxious to advance. And with
this desire. whether born of 1t, or
through the vigorous life OF the camps
the men have acquired an added fac
ulty for getting what they want.
To sum it up. the majority OF the
ex- service men applying for work
show a sincere eagerness to target the
war and get to work. They have re
turned with a strength and ambition
which makes them more valuable tc
their employers than they were prev
icus 10 their departuoe. And their
rev ambition coupled with broader
viewpoint is an irresistible force
yhich lis bound to make itself felt
within the next few years and con
| tribute to the unprecedented pros
| Gritty and progress of this entire
country"
! The Salvation Army, which has ;
chain OF employment agen e.
Throughout the eastern states know
as the Salvation Army interstate EN-
lpioyment agencies, has also COLLECTED
irany interesting facts bearing upol
the psychological change which tn
soldier has undergone.
| Adjutant George Darby inform
IColonel Woods as follows: We nm
that a number of discharged men ar
requesting positions which they ar
incapable OF filling. For instance. mel
who have been doing some little cler
heal work while in the army are seek
Iinr positions as bookkeepers and ex
Iperienced clerical workers. 1t require
a very tactful employment man t
talk with these men and get them t
take some other position. This posi-
tion OF vocational adviser we conside
the most important branch OF our EN-
ployment work We fnd that servic
men az a rule very readily listen to yo'
and will appreciate the advice givel
particularly IL you can make them fee
that you are sincerely interested Il
their welfare"
The War Camp Community Servjc
employment bureau In New York Cit,
has classified all applicants for job
and 1t has been found that SIS per cen
lof all applicants express a desire t
change their occupation or are JUS
lout OF school. Ten per cent have NJ
trades and Sc per cent have trades
1.-The reasons given by those who wisl
Ito change their occupations are varied
A pharmacist with six years experienc
wished % get into the export bushes
lsimply because he disliked pharmacy
la civil engineer wished to become
statesman because he felt the deman
lfor men in his profession was less tina
ever before.
A. u. Jennings. Of the War Cam
Community Service, says: The me
tare in a confused state OF mind. The
have been away for n year or two !
1.-The service and conditions hav
Ichanged. They find themselves ut
floss and do not know what to do be
cause of their financial straits whe
they are sent to employers for inter
views. They seem unduly nervou
Iabout financial arrangements. Ate
several interviews the men learn fror
Experience the injustice they hay
done themselves and then the diff
Guilty Is over
In commenting on the situation a
shown by the various reports. Colone
Woods. says: Letters from bushes