Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-03

from a fl0nltion plant TO an ordinary
factory turning out the usual pro-
ducts which will find q market in
TINA Of peace. This must be dons
without undue shock to industry,
without excessive strain on credit,
without subjectng labor to the hax.
ard OF Unemployment and. above
al things, without doing violence IN
our own national life to- those prin.
ciples Of freedom and equality ct op-
portunity which We have successfully
maintained BY force Of arms.
As O nation We approach this gi-
gantic problem Of reconstruction a.
we approached the sudden amer-
gency of war: almost completely in.
nocent Of preparation. The problem
will be solved as the problems Of the
war were solved, not for the most
part by legislation, but by the adap-
liability. resourcefulness and business
genius OF the nation. We cannot
build an articificiai reconstruction
program in leyisla tive halls any more
than gardener can construct O
grapevine by any art or process Of
his own. But just as the gardener
SSSn' So PtcNiNC - picpCA ~ CtisU
train the growing vine upon it, 80 in
all your deliberations this winter it
should be your constant purpose TO
aid in every feasible and proper way
the great Process Of REIMBURSEMENT
which is going on in our nation.
What should the State do for the
family OF the soldier while he re-
mains In service and for the soldier
himself as he returns to resume his
place in civilian life? What iegisla-
ton regarding the welfare Of work.
ers. the education Of children and the
care of the dependent and unfortun-
ate il rendered especially appropriate
by the peculiar stress Of this crisis
And what shall, be the business policy
Of the State in the management Of its
ordinary departments during this
transition period? ask you to ap-
proach your legislative program with
these questions constantly in your
mind.
Dependents Of Soldiers
Maine was one Of the very few
states in the Union to make financial
provision for the dependents Of sol
diers. sailors and marines beyond the
amount which might become avail
able from the Federal government.
That financial aid has been more lib
eral, considering our resources, than
the appropriations nnde by any
other state.
In the case Of privates in the army
or marine corps or common seamen
in the navy who enlisted from Maine
and whose dependents were receiving
aid when the armistice was signed.
the arrangement should continue sa
long as the man remains in the ser.
vice and so far as his real dependents
are in actual need beyond their Fed
erai allotment. The dependents of 4
soldier, sailor or marine killed or to-
tally disabled in the service should
continue 10 receive all so long as ac-
tual dependency exists. TIE present
law limits this period TO one year.
The Returning Soldier
In considering what can he done
for the returning soldiers themselves.
we must face the prospect that "A
small percentage Of them will be
wholly or partially UNIT for ordi-
nary work on account of sfcl! shock.
blindness, tuberculosis ar serious
wounds. The Federal liu,ernynent
will undoubtedly undertake 70 re-
habilitate such cases So far as posi-
, bic by appropriate medical treatf,en
or voca tionaf training. 1t IL evident,
however. that both tllc rncu them
selves and their relatives OF friends
would prefer. il possible. l., have the
process OF medical Treatment or vpca-
,ionai training made available near
theft own homes rather than in such
centralized Institutions az might I've
provided by the Federal Government
| in distant parts OF the country. I
suggest, therefore. your serious Study
Of our present resources for voca-
tional training in connection with our
public school system: for treatment
of shell shock and tuberculosis al
our state hospitals and saHiiotli.na
and for education II N" blind. in cr-
der that, il possible, . cooperative
plan may be worked cut with the
Federal Government so that thesn
facilities may be offered to returning
Maine soldiers within their cwn home
State.
boys will return to MS sound an.
whole mentally alert, physically Wig
urnus and with ambition lHivkrned by
travel and contact with he world.
| They have played the mans part and
none their work. THEY art intent
now an getting has h home ami slip
ping hack Into the old placss, or find
ing the larger ones for which they
feel themselves fitted. They are 6 ven
more resourcef1ii than when they
went away: they VI i'll not want us 10
pamper them: most Of hen will not
expect us to find jobs f0r he nj. They
do not expec; 20 re'na., Il specially
favored class. but tliCl 100; forward
TO taking their places again IN the
field, at The office. i'll the shop or
schc"lroGm and rcsulring iiis tasks
that We're Interrupted hv the chal-
'enee nf the words nrea.
Our debt III gratitude can NEVER be
repaid to them ana you VIII quickly
avail yourselves OF every opportunity
20 EXPRESS that sense nf obligation.
l urge you - cr-npeflt" with any
reasonable plans which he Federal
Government snay Wor; o'It Tor tacili-
try or encouraging their establish
nent upon farms. ! hop" especially
that YOU will take proper measures
20 impress uDOn the Federal Govern
me1t the Importance Of utilizing ex-
;stin.. FARMS fnr returning soldiers
before einbarsing upen expensive