The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1919-07-17

opportunity to aid disabled soldiers.
sailors and marines by cooperating as
a private agency with the Federal
Board for Vocational Education. in the
vocational training and reeducation of
the wounded war heroes.
This work was entirely new ven-
tu'e. Nothing of the kind had ever
before been undertaken following any
war. Heretofore disabled soldiers had
leen granted pittance OF a pension
IN which they could barely live, and in
heir old age were put in soldiers
home to ponder over the ingratitude OF
the country for which they had fought
Quite by accident 1t was discovered
by Pelgian gentleman who was car
ing for some wounded soldiers that the
men became interested in working with
some tools he had in his house. and
that this work stimulated their interest
in life and hastened their recovery. in
addition to making them adopts in the
use of various tools according to their
fancy or in conformity with their par
ticular physical defects.
This was the start of vocational
training for disabled war veterans. 1t
has been carried on In Frahce, Eng
land, Canada and Italy-as well as In
Germany-for nearly four years. 1t Is
asserted by those who have been iden-
titled with it, that no wounded man has
yet been found and put in training, no
matter what his physical disability. but
who has been vocationally trained or
reeducated so that he has as great or
greater earning capacity than before
he was disabled. This pointed the way
to making every disabled man inde-
pendent. elf-supporting and conse-
quently more elf-respecting than II he
were left to shift for himself on a small
pension.
BY unanimous vote in both houses
of congress a bill was passed and was
signed by the president on June 27,
1918, putting this vocational training
in the hands Of the Federal Board for
Vocational Education. This law was
intended to provide free vocational
training for disabled war veterans and
also to find employment for them at
the end of their period Of training or
reeducation, without in any way affect
ing the compensation paid them by the
government for whatever degree Of dis
ability they had suffered by reason OF
their wounds.
Elks Assist the Government.
In the administration of the law.
however, it was found that there would
be thousands of worthy cases of dis
abled men who were entirely outside
the purview Of the law passed by con-
gress These included American boys
wounded while in the service of the
Allies, those wounded before the pro-
visions of the law took effect, and those
wounded or disabled while in the ar
my but not while in the line of duty.
The law also provided that no one
could be placed in vocational training
until his compensation had been fixed
by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance
The sudden termination Of the war
overloaded the Insurance Bureau with
claims for compensation so that 1t fell
weeks and months behind in its work
This resulted in the anomaly of dis
abled men being broke" and unable to
offer of the government, while at the
same time that government was owing
them money!
Fortunately the law provided that
the Federal Board for Vocational Edu-
cation could accept the cooperation and
assistance of private agencies in car
rying out its provisions The Elks
War Relief Commission had its atten-
tion called to this avenue for the use
full expenditure of money. and very
brief investigation convinced the men,
bes of the Commission that there was
which it's funds could be devoted. A
fund of s150,0O0 was therefore rendered
by the Commission to DR.. A. C. Prosser,
Director of the Federal Board for Vo-
cational Education, to be used at his
discretion for necessary publicity work
among the disabled men and with the
general public, and for caring for the
out the purview of the law. The offer
was promptly accepted by DR.. Prosser
The Elks Fund has since increased to
s250,000, and the proceeds from fea-
ture motion picture produced by the
Commission and donated to the Federal
BOARD, which Is soon to be distributed
for exhibition, Is expected to add an
other 100000.
Federal Bonrd Thanks Elks.
In referring to the assistance grant
ed the Federal Board for Vocational
Education by the Elks War Relief
Commission, Dr. Prosser, Director OF
the Board has said
mo one action taken by any public
or private agency will do 80 much to
bring about a prompt and effective
care of disabled soldiers, sailors, and
marines resulting from the War as the
action taken by the Elks War Relief
Commission. AS the result, instead OF
waiting for weeks and months, under
privaton and humiliation such as nc
soldier of the republic should undergo
because of official delays, many OF
which are unavoidable, they will now
find themselves properly taken care OF
at once and placed in the line Of re-
education which will enable them to
make their future safe for themselves
and their Dependents
Soldiers Friend Committees.
By direction Of Grand Exalted Ruler
Campbell every subordinate Lodge OF
Elks has appointed Soldiers Friend
Committee which Is charged with the
duty Of assisting in this vocational
training work. At the present time
there are about 1000 disabled soldiers
sailors and marines in vocational train.
lnB On lut IlhS w dG INcllcl SOIiiulSSlOI
Fund. The work has proven so sue
cessful that bill now before congress
extending vocational training into civil
life and Industrial life seems assured
of passage.
Speaking on the floor OF congress or
the subject Of the cooperative arrange.
ments between the Federal Board fol-
Vocational Education and the Benevo.
lent and Protective Order Of Elks, Con.
gressman John F. Miller Of the State
Of Washington said:
"The Elks fund thus provided Is the
first instance Of the kind in the history
of the country where a great patriul,,