Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-09
DISABLED !
4 SOLDIERS
MAY WORK
j. A. Starkweather in City
Today Explains How Gov
eminent Extends Aid

de- a. GTkWedlue SpeS1nA 49,
tional officer Of the federal board
TOR vocational education of h d.
vision Of rehabilitation, arrived here
this morning to confer with the dis
abled returned soldiers Of this city.
According to the statistics Of the To-
cal home service bureau, there are
seven disabled soldiers in the city
now. This bureau has co-operated
with the vocational board in securing
er, and the objects Of these inter.
views is to find out through personal
observation and intimate talks with
the boys the exact work the soldier
is fit for and then give him a nance,
II he wishes to take it, of getting an
education in the line he is capable
Of following. The government is 90
ing this for the disabled soldier tree
of cost to him, and all he is asked to
applying himself and thereby being
fitted for a place in the business
world which he could not fill other
wise. ..
In speaking of the work of the vo-
cational education board Mr.. Stark
weather mentions the benefits which
It is hoped will be derived through
the efforts of this board. One of the
services which this board has in view
Is teaching the boys the use Of the
artificial limbs which the govern
ment has been able, to supply them
with, and which are of such Won
derful mechanism that their methods
Of use are almost unlimited. These
limbs are given to soldiers by the
government, and are kept in repair,
new ones being given whenever it is
necessary.
Mr.. Starkweather says that it has
been q common idea among the boys
who have returned home disabled,
and the people in general, that these
boys are helpless, but the government
has proved hat this is 10 the case
and that almost no occupation exists
which the soldier cannot be taught
to do with the use of the artificial
limbs, il they are of mental ability.
Of occupations which have been
taught ,4persons with artificial hands
andsarTns. Expert m%achinists can be
made out of these men so disabled,
and the government a been able to
demonstrate this. One mar working
with the federal board with an arti-
ficial leg has gone into a piano fac
tory and successfully performed the
operation of making a piano.
Government Follows Career.
The government receives monthly
1OPOA 10 40 k4AS4 pAo6ASSSp ~AN -
the soldier does not apply himself or
1t is found out that he is not adapted
to that particular line of study he is
taken out and reinterviewed and
again placed. Everything is done
for, the young man to help him, and
all he is called upon to do is to show
willingness. The course of study ex-
tends over a perior Of four years. but
tho government maintains active in
tfrosf in the student for five wears.
Mr.. S~tarkweather tells of CLASH
flying the men according to their
ability; that is, if a man is Of an
= artistic ability he is taught, for in
stance, showcard writing, advertis-
ing, window display, and if he has a
little mechanical training he" car
learn jewelry making, art work. pot
terry. making, etc.-in fact, there are
no Limitations. If the man has bust
ness qualifications he is given a mer.
camille training in order to become a
bookkeeper, stenographer, salesman
or other lines that would follow from
that; and II he has a mechanical
trend of mind he is taught battery
work, ignition, and made an expert
machintst. If a man is of a patient
and painstaking disposition he is
given machinist work. and if ne is
restless and active but FOND Of ma.
chinery he is taught steam fitting
and other lighter work pertaining Il
is optional, and the boy can take OF
refuse this help: but the board will
find out what he is capable of doing
and what his disability prevents Kim
from doing, and then gives him the
chance.
4 Little Blindness Found.
In describing his work Mr.. Stark