The spectator., 1919-11-14

cooperate. the other half of the ex- pense in that particular state. The war made it necessary to broaden the original vocational education act, so us to make special provision for the rehabilitation and education of dis abled soldiers. That work is also be- ing carried on extensively, and the ex- pense of it is all being borne by the | federal government.
 The new step provides for vocational | training for disabled persons in indus try, including agriculture, trade. com merce. manufacturing, mining, trans portation and the mechanical arts. In this new legislation, as in the original vocational training legislation, the fed eral government and the states are to cooperate. Of course the federal gov ernment cannot compel the states to cooperate. It will be optional with any state whether it shall enter into an arrangement with the federal gov ernment to look out for persons dis abled in any of the industries enu- merated. In case a state desires to CO., operate in the work it will pay half the expense.
 Many Disabled in Industry.
 The military records show that there were in round numbers 264,0OO casualties in the United States army during the recent war. The federal thot are in this country at the present time some 2S0.000 persons who were dis abled while employed in industry. This number does not include persons who suffer disabilities from street ac- cidents, train accidents, accidents on farms. in homes and in Sundry other places. It is estimated that the total number of disabled persons in this country at any one time is much larger from civil life than from the military casualties in Europe during the recent war.
 The administration of the new voca- tiOnal act is to be lodged in the exist ing federal board of vocational educa- tiOn The bill as it has passed the house appropriateS S500,00O for the ifs cal year ending June 30, 1920; S15000o for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1921. and $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30 1922 The legislation contemplates an annual appropriation of $l 00O, 900 after June 30, 1923. There k q provision which authorizes the fed erh vocational board to receive gifts and donations from either public or private sources. This provision was put in because some wealthy persons had expressed d desire to contribute to Il fund for rehabilitation work ot this character
 The senate last June passed a bill somewhat similar to the bill which has just passed the house and it is req sonable to assume that since both branches of the legislative body have expressed themselves in favor of this new kind of vocational legislation. it will not be difficult to reconcile the conflicting provisions of the two bills. Final Action on Treaty Near.
 Ratification of the treaty of peace with Germany by the United States | senate seems to be near at hand. The recent test votes in the sen ate have indicated clearly that l body'S desire to embody what it deems appropriate reservations in the reso- lution of ratification. It may take sev- eral weeks to bring about an agree | ,l,t of -uti in-NS and their phraseology, but it seems to be settled as we'll as anything can be settled in advance of formal action that the treaty will Se ratified with reservations.
 Many of the senators are expressing a desire that the final vote shall be reached not later than November To- It will be the policy of the senate so | 10 frame the reservations as not to re- quire the return of the treaty to the peace conference. It will be necessary for the government of the United States, acting through its state de- partment, to submit the reservations to the various signatorieS to the treaty for their approval. It is very general ly believed that, since the reServa- tons will in no sense change ;he Ian .uagc of the treaty, the othe: sigma tories will agree to them.
 Of course the senate may choose to debate the proposed reservations for several weeks. but every effort is be- ing made by the more influential of the senators to obtain gentleman's agreement to the effect that debate shall be limited. The senate as whole, for the first time since the treaty was submitted to it on the tenth of last July is showing keen interest to finish with t. This is due in part. sen ators say. to the fact that the senate itself has tired of the subject. and in part to a somewhat widespread de- n,,nd from mt oypr tbp country that