The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-11
HOME TROOPS
WILL BE HELD
Overseas Men Have Precedence
in DemObilizing Plans
of Army.
FLOCK TO NEW YORK
Problem Of Guiding Dis.
charged Soldiers Back to
Original Bases Taken Up.

Soldiers in domestic service who are
impatiently awaiting discharge must
reconcile themselves to the prospect OF
an indefinite stay in uniform. Repre-
sentatives OF the Army General STAFF
announced in this city yesterday that
the number OF such soldiers has been
reduced TO the minimum necessary for
the maintenance of the military estab-
lishment in this country and that dis
charges would be confined. for the next
few months at least to overseas troops
returned to this country.
Not more than 100 900 OF the overseas
men will be returned in February and
not over zoo, 900 in March, It was stated.
In no subsequent month will more than
300. 900 be returned for dscha -ge, and 1t
was said to be extremely unlikely that
the total for any month hereafter will
reach that number.
This information regarding the War
Departments rehabilitation plans was
announced by Col. ]. Il. McAndrews and
Lieut.-Col. r. II. Kimball at a meeting
Of the rehabilitation unemployment
committees OF the State Reconstruction
Commission in its headquarters in the
Hall OF Records. Representatives Of other
organizations were present to air their
Views.
Or. George W. Kirchwey. State Fed
eral Employment Director. again urged
that the War Department devise some
plan OF divertlng discharged soldiers
from New York. Other speakers agreed
with him that some arrangements might
he effected whereby the various local
draft boards would undertake to dis
charge soldiers In their own communi-
ties, thus avoiding congestion in large
centres like New York. but the General
Stan representatives maintained that
this plan was impracticable.
Col, McAndrews pointed out that the
process OF rehabilitation involved the
Use OF complicated machinery that would
have 10 be set up a. enormous expense
in 1900 places II the plan OF using local
agencies was adopted. He said the War
Department had given the most careful
consideration to this and kindred sug-
gestions and had been forced to discard
them all as impracticable.
DR.. Kirchwey. referring to the fact
that when discharged soldiers receive
their mileage allowance they often head
for New York instead of their home
towns, thus complicating the unemploy-
nent prODIem mere. asked why the Gov
ernment did not give the soldier a rail-
road ticket to his home instead OF cash.
well. the law requires the payment
of cash" said the Colonel. The Gov
ernment does not presume to dictate TO
a soldier what he should and should not
do once he has reassumed his civilian
status We discharge him at al camp
near his home IL possible, but u he
wishes to go to New York or some other
place instead of to his home that Is his
own business And don't blame him.
New York is the most attractive city in
the country
How about Chicago" asked Chair
man John G. Agar.
"My home is in Chicago" replied the
Colonel
Augustus u. Porter. the new Third
Deputy Police Commissioner. represent
ing Commissioner Enright, said a serious
situation had developed in this city be-
cause OF the large numbers OF dis
charged soldiers who had settled here.
In many cases. he declared, these men.
after spending their money and finding
themselves without resources. become
desperate and break the laws. lie sad
that considerable percentage OF rece,
disorders were attributable TO discharged
soldiers. He urged that the commission
endeavor to find some means OF divert
ing discharged non-residents from New