Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-01
AGENT SAYS WOMEN
STICK TO WAR JOBS
Some Firms, He Adds, Will Keep
Girl Workers in Plants
Here

Women who during the war suppIduted
men in clerical positions and who are amb'-
tous to continue in business where they are
making good, are making it hard for hun
dreds Of returning service men to find clerical
jobs for which they are best fitted.
This is the opinion of Joseph Il, McDevitt.
in charge of the new Federal employment
bureau for returned soldiers and sailors. at
1919 Arch street
80 far our greatest difficulty has been I'm
placing returned men as steuographers hook
keepers and in other Office work. said Mr..
McDeVitt. Employers are loath to dis
charge young women who have efficiently car
ried on the work laid down by men and Who
are eager TO continue. You see what
complicated situation We have to face. Most
large employers lave held open places for
their own men and others are glad TO take
men back again.
You know, Of course that during the
scarcity of labor many firms had to take on
Migrants and almost any sort of help. Now
they are glad enough to rid themselves Of all
inCompetency and take back their old men.
Many firms have held open places for th'ir
former employees. But it is scarcely fair to
ask an employer to tax" back other thalI
efficient workers, or to discharge efficient en-,
ployts in order to hire men less competent
Already there have been complaints from
returned service men that some Philadelphia
firms have refused to give jobs TO former em-
ployes. especially in cases of disabemehi'
Employer Has Side
"The employer has his side to that uues-
tion. too" declared Mr.. McDevitt, we have
found local companies exceedingly patriot'
and ready to do their part. So long as they
meet us half way We are satisfied. IN Ill!
opinion no firm should 10 asked or Will De
asked by the Federal employment service |"
take back Il man who has been disabled uhtII
that man has been trained he can again
be efficient despite his crippled condition.
When the crippled man returns he should
he sent Immediately TO the Federal vocal
tional board There he is provided with me-
chanical devices necessary to suppant limbs
that may have been amputated. He is taught
any vocation he chooses. and the Govern
ment pays for the training and continues lis
allotment Ia his dependents during the
schooling.
When he has competed such course,
the once disabled soldier may go back 70
his employer and get his job. not through
sympathy. but because he is actually able
to hold down that job. We are not asking
employers to take men because of sympathy.
We say If the man doesn't qualify as a
workman-tirc him. 1t is far better for the
returned soldier, as well as for the en-
ployer.'
viii work in France
While the Industrial situation during the
next two months probably will he con-
gestcd one, Mr.. NcDevitt believes the spring
will bring things TO head.
Already we know of five big Philadelph Il
firms which will take up reconstruction work
in France. They will need many men over
seas But that work will not begin till
spring. We know. too, that with the roleas.
ing of steel and lumber by the Government
building will he greatly increased. We are
sending circular letters to all engineering
and other professional concerns asking them
TO send in acquisitions for men. They are
responding We'll and telling us of many po-
sititons which will be open as soon as con-
struCtion work can begin"
Through the Arch street bureau alone more
than Coo returned soldiers and sailors have
already been placed III industry.
&. Il. Stokes chairman of the new joint
bureau which is managing the peace-timc en-
ployment drive, has sent out thousands Of
letters to employers asking them to send in
lcuusitions for men. \ meeting of such
r,'n1o,'o~' viii he called at 3 O'Clock tomor-
row afternoon to discuss the situation. Mr.
Stokes ha asked fifty of the largest em-
ployers in the city to meet him in the FL
nance Building