The Washington times., 1919-03-20


all the country preferably far possible from their
dwelling.
They were put in uniforms drilled worked, and while
others making great fortunes, making greatly In
creased salaries out of war; these in the army
osived half the pay Of a competent messenger boy.
The men thus taken did not rebel or complain They
knew the country needed They were MEN, they were
willing CO. willing to fight willing to be shot, able to
smile cheerfuly as they lay IN the hospitals crippled
When the country needed it took them and the
admitted that the country had a right to do it.
Now the MEN need WORK, and the country ought to
admit that they have right to demand it.
There is plenty Of work in this country there is plenty
Of work that needs to be done there roads that need
to be built swamps be drained deserts to be irrigated
public enterprises of all kinds waiting.
There millions of acres of land that could be made
drained by soldiers, paid decent wages working in
body under competent direction Then the land should be
divided up into small holdings and given to the soldiers
sold to them at low price part time payments
many soldiers cared take up farm and country
life.
Many excuses are made now But the man who was
called upon to go to did make any excuse. And
he had done it would not have attracted much at
tention The Government has right to make excuses
NOW: It is big enough rich enough intelligent enough
to productivity and without waste Of dollar every
able bodied man at good wages
There are countries at least TRYING to solve the
problem, not merely talking.
Germany announces that she will build a million
small houses give work to soldiers while they build
Ing and homes to the soldiers afterwards That her
Rntidote to Bolshevsm.
France is putting her public works. although
Trance compared with the United States is finished
country ahead of in roads, canals, railroads public
buildings economical agriculture and almost everything
else in the way Of material completion.
For one striking example look at Australia, right
hnder your feet the other side of the world.
They realize there that sent thousand Of miles
the to fight to their country and the
British Empire from anxiety have right to demand
that THEY when they back shall be free from
tety also.
The government of Australia through Holman, prime
minister, says that laws will be passed compelling en-
poyes to put back the returned soldiers in their old Jobs
Thousands of soldiers will be settled farm lands And
work will be found AT ONCE public works for those
that do not find other employment.
The government begins promptly by appropriatingI
large Of money to be lent to local boards that they
may carry public works needed using the soldiers
m the work and paying them decently
This country rich generous; appreciates what the
soldiers have done Every man appreciates it, from the
mead of the Government down to the poorest cripple
The trouble here lack of initiative lack of somebody
to say a word, lack of a concrete BEGINNING.
The demand that soldiers be kept employed without
loss Of day. after they have their friends and visited
their homes is not personal demand from the SOL
ders themselves 1t is demand based the welfare of
the whole country.
million horses had gone to war and had come back
you would think farmers very foolish if they didn't put
the horses to work right away You would say that farms
could not prosper they feeding million horses and
khe horses doing work.
horse is important to farmer first class worker
healthy, highly trained enthusiastic young soldier is
Infinitely more important to the country.
Every day that he is unemployed is a waste to the
nation as q whole.
Every day that million men are unemployed is
clear waste Of i've millions Of dollars In thirty DAYS the
idisnsSS Ct million able would represent waste Of
inbor and skill sufficient % build another Panama Canal
sufficient 10 connect The Great Lakes a Chicago with the
Mississippi Che Gulf O hoxioo end tho % The World
nen shouid b put 70 work vel paid Kept oontented
ThaFa should BE- waste 0 human aboF o. human lnte