Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1919-02-23
00IDIERS' MOTHERS
MUST BE WON OVER
,,,,,c influence Needed 20 Help
Disabled 10 Take co.
Re-Education.
WANT THEIR BOYS AT HOME
.,. Not Make Dependents Of
Those Who Have Dccn
Crippled.

r,o family OF a disabled soldier
has A very great infiuence upon ms
b,turc success or failure, according
~ douglas c. McMurtrie, director
70 ,he red Cross institute for Grip
s,sd and Disabled men, wiring In
Ia current issue OF the "American
,ournal OF Care for Cripples," The
some influence should encourage
N. lnyalided man TO tahe advnn-
,ass or the training offered by tho
.oysrnment, 80 that he may return
40 civil life capable OF earning his
V"rhs difference between an In
nrlous and helpful family atti-
wde Mr.. McMurtrie illustrates by
. story OF the rehabilitation work
/, france, IL is recalled that the
r,poh mother occupies a position
a, Extraordinary authority In the
SmIly. IA son may grow UP to be
"a 40 or 40 years old. out mother
ain a chief to whom obedience
!, unnn estionably paid. In dealing
9Th tho pollu, therefore. one must
sopnt in his maternal parent as
.,n At one French center OF hos
nltHI care and re-eduoatlon II was
nund that. as n man would ap-
n,oach tho point OF his medical re-
,ovcry and approach the timo OF en-
,rv on vocational training. his moth
>, was liable to descend upon the
bospItal office, beat her umbrella
an ihe table, inquire why they were
teeplng her son 10 long away from
home. and demand his Immediate
Tlscharye In order that she might
,,ke him away TO care for the poor
rrppled boy for the rest of his life.
IN vain were explanations and ar
uments regarding the efficacy OF
Wr,her treatm ent and training. She
bad come there determined to take
, hsr son away, and the scene would
continue until her end was accom-
plished And In most Instances
mere was nothing to do but accede
TO the mothers demand.
Mothers Help Enlisted.
"But a better way was found OF
dealing with the families of men
} deemed likely TO benefit by re-edu-
cation. Under this procedure when
lhe soldier was nearing the end OF
Ms hospital care the director N the
Institution would summon the moth
,, 10 come In and advise regarding
her sons future. She would then
be addressed something In this wise;
Your sons medical treatment will.
IN another week or two. be practi-
raly complete, and we thought you
mleht like TO know so that II you
desired, you could make plans 10
axe him home. Hut you know he
IA permanently disabled and will not
. be able TO 20 back TO his old Job OF
telegraph lineman. We know that
yon expect 10 care for him. but he
will outllve you, and later, since the
government pension In small indeed.
he will be reduced to a miserable
l situation. You remember the Grip
pies from the war OF 1870, how they
begged or sold trinkets about the
streets you would not want
your son to be In that fix. Luckily
however. he will not have 10 be fer
We have something else TO suggest
Across the street Ia q school where
the men are taught various skilled
trades. II your, son cares 10 stay
for five or six months, and you ap-
prove. We will teach him to be a
telegrapher ana he can go back 10
his home town and get good job
with the government telegraphs. Az
skilled worker still he Will be
doubly respected In the community
te will he a burden on no one. his
mture will be assured, and you will
be very very proud OF him. What
DO you think wise under the orr
cumstinccs7
The wAole situation is changed
Mother greets her boy with. son
have you heard what they are GO
Ink 10 do for youf" Ana as the son
has already been talkea to regard
Ing the program. the Joint decision
Is assured.
This illustrates the difference
between n family for or n family
against the proposal OF re-educa-
ton"