The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-25
MANY Want OUT
Applications for Discharge Re-
ceived by Hundreds.
An Avalanche of Affidavits and
Testimonials.
(By Union Pacific Il. r. Press BureauJ
(From Trench and Campo


With applications for discharge
coming in by the hundred, command |
ing officers of various permanent |
camp organizations here are swampeo
under an avalanche of affidavitS, tes- |
timonials and letters from and about
soldiers who want to become civilians.
Two classes of men are being shown
up say officers who are struggling
with the flood of applications. one /
consists of the men who were assigned
to the quartermasterS. utilities and
other permanent organizations thru
no wish of their own but because OF
training or ability along certain lines
and who have made the best of a
thankless job.
The other class is that of the ones
who scrambled to get into these safe,
non-combatant organizations to avoid
service behind the business end of
gun at the front. and who now are
scrambling just as hard to get out into
civilian life ahead of the rush.
The latest regulations for discharge
from these departments. which must
be kept up to full strength and etfl-
cheney to handle the regular camp
work during the rehabilitation per-
iod, is that deserving cases may be
released if their places can be filled
There are many who have good rea-
sons for discharge under this ruling
because of dependents or for other
urgent causes. it is said, whose claims
are being seriously hurt and deferred
because of the rush of applications
based on every possible kind of alib1.
In many cases where a discharge
claim has been entered for reason OF a
dependent wife, investigation has
shown that the marriages were made
just before, or sometimes even after
the mans induction into the service.
At one place a man attempted to en-
ter a claim on account of his depend
ent mother. 1t was found that the
50, inc a
been actually sending him funds all
during his service with the army.
One firm applied for the discharge
of a man on urgent industrial grounds.
A letter admitted that his place could
be very capably filled but thought
that he should be sent home at once
rather than have a substitute take the
place temporarily. Some firms are not
so frank and declare that everything
will go to wreck and ruin unless GER
tain bookkeeperS or mechanics are re-
turned to them at once.
One man is a partner with his IA
Their and several brothers in business
in a nearby city. Several letters and
affidavits declare that. altho the ia
Their and other brothers are on the job,
the business will undoubtedly go to
pieces and throw a hundred workers
out of employment if the soldier is not
discharged at once.
Out of some fifty letters received at
one time, it is stated, there was but
one application made which warrant
ed consideration. That one had been
investigated and endorsed by the Red
Cross.
In contrast come the cases of many
who have urgent need of immediate
return to civil life but who are out
numbered, placed in bad light and
put to a considerable disadvantage by
the others.
There are about 500 men in my de-
partment," said the commanding Off
Ger of one organization responsible in
a great measure for the comfort and
safety of the camp. "Out of these
there are about 100 who really merit
a discharge and they will receive it az
soon as 1 get orders which will allow
me to draw on some other organiza.
ton for their replacement. These de-
partments must be kept up to theil
highest efficiency and this rush to ge
out of the army before peace is ever
declared is making it very hard, no
only on us, but also on those whose
condition makes their reIease really
urgent. These boys did not have t
risk their lives on the firing line anC
it is only fair to the ones who did
and to the country. that they keep go
ing efficiently and without complaint
until their duty is done"