The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-11
100000 JOBS
GO TO VETERANS
Nations Industries Absorb All
Service Men Seeking Work
Since Armistice.
3,491.206 FROM ARMY
Great Task Accomplished
Without Disturbance--States
and Societies Help.
3,491.206 FROM ARMY
Special Despatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau
Washington, ID. G., Nov. 10.


New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., Nov. 10.
Reports in the possession Of the
War Department show that practically
every man enrolled in the United
States Army at the time OF the arlnis-
tlce has been absorbed by industry
between the dates of November II,
1915 and to-day.
This conclusion is approximated TO
q certain extent, for the department
has figures only concerning those men
who made application for placements
through the instrumentalities built up
by the War Department to find posi-
tions for them. This number is only
a small proportion of the men who
were in the army. Generalizations Of
reports. however, indicate that every
man who wanted a job procured one,
and that the absorption by industry
OF Americas great army was accom-
pnshed without great economic dis
turbance or without material distress.
The magnitude OF this accomplishment
may be gathered from the fact that on
November II 1918. the day Of the armis-
tice, the United States Army had en-
rolled a total OF 3.703.273 officers and
men. OF these 1S9,436 were officers.
while 3,513.s37 we're in the ranks. To-
day the total OF officers and men In the
United States Army is 212,0e7
a large po o-tion of the mel IN the
army now have been enlisted since the
armlstice. but. assuming that the total
number Of men in the army to-day rep
resents what IL left Of the wartime force.
Il follows that 9,f91 zoe men were taken
out Of the army and given over 20 indus
try.
Following the armistice the War De-
partment built up an Industrial service
under the leadership OF Col. Arthur
Woods. who had the title OF Assistant
TO the Secretary of War. The records
OF the office of the chief Of the bureau
OF information OF the War Department.
Major Matthews. show that from De-
cember /, 1918, to June 10. 1920, 1,4s2.-
s6l discharged soldiers registered for
employment. and that OF these 1,062'O45
were placed.
From September 20, 1919, 70 January
19. 1920. the figures were 4SS,i05 regis
tered and S64.657 placed. Major Mat
thews said they were unable 10 record
figures showing the number Of unem-
ployed. In the State Of New York those
who registered for employment were
s<4.s57. while those placed totalled 15l.-
s9s.
The task Of the Government in reah-
sorblng it's military forces into industry
Included sailors as well as soldiers so
that the problem represented the reab-
sorption OF more than 100000 men
from both branches of the service.
The armistice meant not only the de-
mobilization Of tho fighting forces but
also tho change to peace time produc-
tion Of wartime industry. II was under
these dificut industrial conditions and
with the rehabilitation proceeding at an
unprecedented speed that the men were
10 be returned 20 peace time occupations.
The War Departments agency for
placing men IN industry was assisted by
various state and private welfare or
ganlzations. In addition 20 the instru-
mentalities built up by states and cities,
organizations like the American Legion
the Red Cross the Y VI. G. a. the Is OF
G.. the Y. NJ. H. A. and the W, c. G. =
rendered valuable assistance, while the
commercial clubs, newspapers. business
concerns and individuals all rendered
helm.