Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1919-04-17


who have become acquainted with or
ganization work, are organizing their
fellow workmen at the mills. This
has led to the development of several
critical situations, due to lack of
understanding, but all doubts about
the service have been answered and
conditions are flowing to natural ad
justment.
Farmers have rot availed them
selves OF the full opportunities OF the
service. This is due partly to the
fact that the farmers haven't under
stood it, and partly to the fact that
they are unable or unwilling to meet
the conditions Of the new Industrial
ism-for it is a new era that has
dawned. Neither the white nor the
negro returning from his glimpse OF
the larger world, with its scientific and
sanitary methods, will be willing to
go back to the conditions of housing
and terms of settlement that eA4.a
in many parts of Mississippi-as in
every state-before the great war.
The large planters freely admit this
and are making efforts to meet the
new conditions. Eventually, all agri-
cultural work will be lifted to this
higher plane.
In its camp work, the Mississippi
Employment Service has been highly
successful. It has placed more tnan
5000 soldiers in industry. Complete
information regarding every man is
! in the hands OF the services repres-
enative AZ hours before he is dis
charged. AS men have been dis
charged at the rate Of 800 a day, it
lis easy to see that this gentleman has
had busy time of it. All data per-
tanning to the soldiers leaving the
state is forwarded to their respective
fedreal directors, in order that JOBS
may be found for them.
So far there has been no discharges,
from the aviation field at West Point,
bit the employment service has made
all it's preparations. 1t can jump in
at moments notice.
"The cooperation that has been re-
ceived from camp commanders, says
Mr.. Weir, ''is gratifying. The COM
mander at'Camp Shelby has practical
ly ruled that applications for specific
discharge of soldiers, made by their
former employers, must 60 through
the employment service or they Will
not be released. And on the other
hand, properly filled-out affidavits
seeking discharge of soldiers, which
goes through the employment service.
has been given prompt attention, and
our camp representative is able, IN
practically every instance, to secure
the release of the soldier who presents
proper affidavits through the employ
ment service. Employers of labor in
Mississippi particularly are enthusiast
tic over the fact that they can take
up with the service a request and get
the needed supply of men released
from the army at once, and this serv-
ic has been able to secure these re-
leases quickly. In quite few IN
stances, employers have gone to Camp
Shelby seeking men, and our represen-
tative has been able to secure i'm
mediate release of the men sought.
"The work of organizing Bureaus
for Returning Soldiers and Sailors has
been delayed somewhat by the illness
of the federal director. However,
enthusiasm is growing in this connec-
ton. Particularly is it true that the
service has been able to prepare for
the returning negro soldiers by organ
izing a separate bureau for the ne !.
groes themselveh. The director OF
negro economics, L. l.. Foster, is
proving quite factor in this work.
One Of the most interesting develop
ments Of the service in Mississippi has
been the placing Of women in INDUS
try. Fully IS per cent. OF the hotel
and restaurant walters have been
replaced by women. Women arc also
operating elevators. But they have
not confined themselves to such Light
occupations. The oil mill industries
have employed many women, and the
box factories have bene quick to seq
how capable they are. Some railroad
!; shops have employed women IN iabor
jobs, and number Of sawmills alf
using them to load light materiak
i Then, too, women have begun to male
, their way as collectors and SOLICITORS
) The employment service in Missis-
+ sippi has also made gratifying pro,
, gress in the agricultural training Of
negroes. This is a result OF organ