Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-06
What the Soldiers Think Of Il

What the Soldiers Think Of II
Maine folks have been deeply inter-
ested in the prospects Of returning
soldiers and have watched with va
rying emotions the many schemes for
tying them up with agriculture. 1t
seemed to us at the start that the ex-
warboys might have opinions Of their
own as to their disposal after Uncle
Sam had released them from military
duty. We have not favored the pet
plan Of sailing them down under a
farm contract that would prove a
gold brick to 90 per cent. OF them
under present farming conditions.
They have had the tough end of TIL
row long enough; give them as good
a show at all other industries as at
farming. and don't fool the .unin-
formed into shou.derins the burden
what they are undertaking.
From some Of the letters reaching
us now We get glimpse of what the
boys, themselves think Of the farm
FOR every solder" enthusiasm at
Washington and elsewhere. The fol-
lowing taken from n letter written at
Coblen. to a friend in Augusta. by
7 4 -
Pioneer Inf. (oncc the Milliken Reg
imcnt, II. l.. Al is enlightening. 1t
contains many common sense sug-
gestions that might be considered by
those anxious to provide for the well
fare of returning soldiers:
Coblenz. Germany.
Jan. IL, 1919.
l have been reading a few excerpts
on what to do for the returning SOL
der" and if your patience is equal to
what it used to be when we were
working on p equals plus (n-DD at
Camp Greene YOU may be able to
wade through the following.
So far the returning soldier has
been offered great opportunities to go
on a farm. Everybody seems to
thinl; a soldier is or ought to be a
farmer. l suppose such an idea is
cue TO the soldiers ability 10 dig in
the earth, such things as dug outs.
trenches. shelters and also his ability
to plant mines, etc. But really. not
dcpreciating any willingness to help
poor returning soldiers it is too bad
10 consign him to q farm. LIST, be-
cause ne isn't n farmer: End, because
his life in the army has probably
ruined him for an existence on the
farm far from his pals and society, a
thing he has become intensely used
to. Poor returning soldier isn't going
TO stay alone. Srd, because it takes
you are once on il.
Let such as wish farms have them,
give them the opportunity to get
there and help them even after that
But there arc many practical difficult
ties. The best thing you can do for
the p. r. S. is to get him returned"
He wishes to come home. The next
NiAii6 - w 81 IIVllAS " lllS luLullys
The Governor has big sorting gap
planned. so the papers say. that will
tell him Of job on job. p. r. S. has
had enough trouble and delay over
allotments and insurance and so on,
not to be tempted by such which
must be topheavy and unweildy.
Maine can do the stunt better for
Maine boys than anyone else. Es-
tablish a bureau. which will receive
Commerce as to needs, opportuni-
ties, ETC.. j. e., an NJ. d. returning
doesn't know where to so. Offer him
data as to number NJ. DIS. etc. in va
rious localities and so on. If one lad
wishes to establish garage, find
out agencies available in such and
such territory and so on. But do not
expect Z. r. S. to show up at the bu-
reau first thing. He is going to see
his folks first. Then comes the job.
Let the state arrange for transport
tation TO bureau. This is a Maine
proposition for Maine boys but it need
not stop in Maine-advertise il nee
essary or adivsably.
+. r. S. is going to have trouble
getting suit Of "civis." If he lands
in Boston or New York he is going to
spcMd his roll and no one ought to
deny him that. Then he needs a suit,
c;c. Let the state issue some 637's so
he can get a few buds either for moth
ing If the state can afford it, or at
cost If the state is too poor.
These are just my notions, but you
can see what am driving at.
Something practical and beneficial
that won't land too many on some
terrible farm with struggles which
You we'll know. If could talk it out
with you | could so into details more
carefully. bat I'm relying on your
cievuricss 10 furnish the details.
We are still in Coblenz doing guard
duty. According to some of the let
'ers going home l expect to learn we
have been mixed up in some fearful
street fights bat really none have
h;Npened ye..
Givc my best regards to all and
squirt ms little ink once in =, while.
FRANK L. SOUTHARD.
First Lieut.. 56th Pioneer Inf.
-->-oN