The Alaska daily empire., 1919-01-23
Council of National De- fense Takes Up with Government Again
 Their Discharge.
LABOR IS WAIVED
Is Claimed That There Is Employment for All of the Men Wanted
 Released.

Another effort is being made by the Territorial Council of Defense to hasten the release of Alaska darfted hlen in the Forts in Alaska and 1T training camps in the States. A request that they receive al eArly discharge has been received by the, Territorial Council of De fense, from Company B., 30th Batfal inon, U. s. c. at Fort Liscum, for warded to the Territorial Counci from George c. Hazelet, chairman o .he Cordova Council of National De fense. Company B. represents tha 98 per cent of it's 150 members were drawn from the industries of Alaska
 The letter says that the company was told at one time that orders hat been received for their discharge but after several weeks of dilly-dal lying they were told that they would have to remain at Fort Liscum unti June or July. It also says that the men were told that they could not bt discharged until navigation opens 1T the Interior so that the soldiers sta toned at Fort Gibbon and other In terior points could be released. This they say, they believe to be untrue but should it be true, they continue they believe 1t to be unjust, es recially in view of the shortage ol labor that exists in the Territory The letter adds, that the men art not trying to shirk their duty, bu' that as the emergency has passed and the war virtually over they are anxious to get back to work fol themselves, especially as they are no' even to do any training during the Winter months.
 MT. Hazelet says in an accompany Ill be employed for industries in thai 7ection and that the immediate re lease of the men is highly advis able
 Over a month ago, the Territorial Council of Defense received wire from the Acting Director of the Coun cil of National Defense at Washing ton saying that men would be very promptly released upon application of the employing company supported by application of enlisted men, stat
 ing that he is needed for employ ment in his previous job.
 A letter received from the Federal Agencies Section of the Nationa Council of Defense by the Territorial Council enclosed~a letter from the office of the Chief of Staff, dated December 21st-, which. said
 'I beg to inform you that orders have been issued for the discharge of such casual soldiers, residents oi Alaska, now at Forts Seward and Liscum as are eligible for discharge and whom it is practicable to re turn to their homes at this season of the year. Similar action has also been taken with regard to Alaskans now at Camp Lewis, Washington. IL is hoped that the labor shortage re ferred to will be materially relieved thereby" ~
 Because of the, failure to secure the release of men upon the applica .ion of their former employers. H R. SheDard, Secretary of the Terri torial Council of Defense has sent out the following telegram to Dele gate James Wickersham asking for his cooperation in the matter:
 "Alaskans in service not being re leased, although ready employment awaits them. Practically every DO sition-xacated awaits employees re turn. Corporations demand Alaskans for positions. Men making request for discharge and backed by former employing company stating service needed meet with no result Haze let. Cordova. forwards request one hundred fifty men Company B., Thjr- tieth Battalion, Fort Liscums request ing discharge stating employment could be furnished all at Cordova and Copper River. Alaska suffering for want man power Consult Gros- vener B. Clarkson. Director National Council Defense and War Depart ment. Refer ,Clarkson telegram De cember 14th Men in Fourteenth In fantry being held in East.
 Department under impression nav igatton all Alaska closed. Explain condition" As The release of a Ketchikan draft man was refused because navigation is not yet open" according to MT. Sheuard