The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-06-05
NATIONS DUTY TO
HER FIGHTING Men
Return Them to Suitable Employ
ment After Their Discharge
From Service.
GENERAL WOOD UQGESACTION
All Lines OF Effort Should Be Organ.
ized and Every Opportunity Given
Men to Settle Down In
Civil Life Contented.
BY LEONARD WOOD.
Major General Commanding Central De.
partment, United States Army,


Major General Commanding Central De.
partment. United States Army.
Appreciation Of the work done by
our soldiers. sailors and marines In
the great war can best be shown by
active measures Ia return them "a
suitable civil employment upon their
discharge from service. II Is n ma
tional duty and one not 10 be shirked
by nation that stands for justice and
square dealing. Our soldiers were
sent 10 their trimming camps-to the
battle line-with every demonstration
Of nations appreciation Of the sacri-
flee that these men were willing to
make. Now that the active operations
Of the war are suspended we are in
clined 10 lose interest in those who
made our success possible. This Is
the time for the nation 10 show that II
understands and appreciates the sac
rifices which our men willingly made
when they answered the call for na-
tional service.
The 100000 men indicted into the
turned 70 their homes. We must or
ganize all lines Of effort so that every
possible opportunity will be given
them 70 settle down happily contented
In civil life Some OF them We will find
BIT difficult TO handle, and We must
have considerable patience with them.
They have been through a big expert
ence. Some are bit unreasonable
in way, and perhaps II is hard for
them 10 settle down.
Ambition Is Aroused.
In seeing that they are returned to
suitable civil emplosment--and by that
| mean employment in which they
Will find contentment-we will find II
at times difficult TO deal with them.
We must remember that many Of these
men. before going for the great ven
ture, had never been far from home,
had never seen the big things Of life,
had never had the opportunity OF
finding themselves. During their serv-
Ice In the army they found out that
all men were equal except as distin-
guished one from the other by such
characteristics as physique, educa-
ton and character. They discovered
that men who are loyal. attentive 10
duty, always striving to do more than
required. stood out among their fell
lows and were marked for promotion.
Naturally many of them now see that
their former employment will not give
them the opportunities for advance
ment which they have come 10 prize.
and for shat reason they want
change. They want n kind OF employ
ment which offers opportunities for
promotion. Many such men are fitted
for forms OF employment which offer
this advantage, and they must be given
the opportunity TO try to make good in
the lines Of endeavor which they elect
TO follow. II Is not charity to give
these men the opportunities for which
they strive II is justice. Others are
not mentally equipped TO take advan-
tage OF such opportunities II offered.
and with THESE We will find II more
difficult to deal. They must be rea-
soned with, and directed. II possible.
into the kind Of employment best suit
ed 10 their characteristics.
We will find many OF the men have
temporarily lost efficiency In the lines
Of employment which they followed be-
fore entering the service. but for that
reason alone they must not be deprived
OF the opportunity TO regain their eff
cheney In those lines, nor can they be
offered reduced wages during this pc
Rod.
Give Them Square Deal.
Our soldiers, sailors and marines
offered themselves for the great ad.
venture. Many OF them have been
through the great adventure. in which
they offered their lives, 70 the end that
justice might prevail and the world
be made safe 10 live In. Those who
did not come face 10 face with the
great adventure nevertheless were
ready to do so. and II was through no
fault OF theirs that they did vt have
the opportunity. In training camps
working from early morning until late
at night. fitting their bodies TO meet
the physical hardshlps OF war. fitting
their minds 10 meet the mental shock
of combat, and In the battle line UNI
der scul-stirring conditions, these men
stood ready TO make the great sacri-
fee.
Let US remember that square deal
for our honorably discharged soldiers.
sailors and marines will strengthen
the morale OF the nation and will help
TO create a sound national conscious
ness ready TO act promptly in support
OF truth. justice and right.
n.-- l.