Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-28
congressman Get Many Re-
ports of Attempts to Stir
Up Discomfort.
SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE
THAT GOVERNMENT ACT
Indications Point to Systematic
Plan to Gain Recruits to So
cialism and Bolshevism.

Ccngressmen are disturbed over re-
PORTS coming to them of the activities
OF socialists and near-bolsheyists in
stirring up discomfort among the re-
turning soldiers who find difficulty in
securing immediate employment to
their satisfaction There are said to
be indications that something ap-
preaching a systematic and consistent
effort Is being made to gain recruits
organizations of unrest from among
the discharged soldiers. The way the
hmatter cores to the attention of Con-
Eress is through suggestions for gov
aernmental action on problems Of un
employment.
May Become Fertile Ground.
It would seem at first blush that the
most Improbable ground in the world
for the sowing of such seed would be
among the men who have fought in
Europe for the ideals of humanity
The correspondents of congressman
point out that while such would seem
to be the case. second thought may
suggest that when these men return
to America and encounter what ap-
pears to them indifference to their
welfare they receive a shock; and
when further they find their jobs have
been filled by stay-at-homes and see
that industry is stacking down with
no new places, these men are very
likely soon to be in a state of mind
which will present fertile ground for
the sowing of bolshevist seed.
Accounts of meetings in different
non-weil-vishers Of organized society.
which are attended by mon In uniform
are coming to congressman. Always
there are reports Of counter agitation
in these meetings, set up by loyal
citizens and by uniformed men who
are apparently in the majority. The
point is that the socialist -bolshevists
get even q few men interested in their
dangerous yagaries. potential with
criminality and disorder
Make Plea to Unemployed.
Congressmen are informed that the
socialists make very insidious il
specious plea to the unemployed, tell
ing them that as an all-powerful gov
ernment took them from their employ
ment. through the draft. and sent
them. to war. il devoIves upon the
same institution, in spirit of benefi-
cence, to provide for them on return
Ing. It is said that the vast majority
OF the clear-headed young Americans
reject that doctrine with scorn feel
ang sense of pride in having served
their country and the colors, and are
willing to get back into the game of
civil life and take their chances of
getting along" as they always did
What Congress is to do about it is
q question the answer to which has
not yet been worked out In fact If
appears doubtful Ii Congress can do
anything. the problems being in a ma
ture 1ocal-more acute in some locali-
ties than in others. Congress-, il is
declared. is not prepared to adopt the
bolshevistS' suggestion that the able
bodied men released from the task of
.nghtIng to protect their country, the
land which holds their homes and
shelters their mothers, sisters, sweet
fearts and wives. must look to a pa-
ternal government henceforth for as
slstance- And it is not believed that
any great number OF returning SOL
diers would subscribe to such doc
trine; IL is not the American spirit, ii
Is contended.
Labor Department Makes Plans.
The Department of Labor is work
ing through various governmental
agencies to facilitate the finding of
employment for all idle labor and is be-
ing assisted in every way by the large
employers of labor. The sudden ces-
satien of all war work in American
tnaustrisl institutions threw out of
employment almost instantly large
Plumbers of men. Some of the great
er concerns. such as the big steel
Companies- have distributed their
surplus war workers among allied
Industries. not always at war wages.
but 10 give them work at once. There
were many lines of industry which
lIad been depleted of labor. and these
deficiencies are being supplied as
rapidly as possible Despite all ef-
for+s. however, it appears from re-
ports from every section that the
oVfr~ heiminG mass of labor thrown
back upon the market by the in
sf3ut7reous cessation of war work
has not been wholly aSsiroiIateJ