The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-03-18
FORMER SOLDIERS ARE
SHOWING DESIRE FOR
COUNTRY EMPLOYMENT
(Bv Associated Press)

NEW YORK, March 1s.-There
were 100000 veterans of the world
war out of work in the United States
on March ! last, according to an es-
innate received by the American
legion. This is a reduction OF about
100000 from the peak" of more than
100000 jobless ex-service men in the
country shortly after Jan. l, last and
the legion reports state there is prom
Use of further Improvement
The survey of the national situation
on which these figures are based was
made by the American. Legion Week
". official publication of the legion
which states that the unemployment
situation as affecting the veterans
appears to have taken a turn for the
better"
Legion Agencies Help.
A chain or employment agencies
operated by the legion in every state
has done much to relieve the situa-
ton, say the legion officials. The
legion has been instrumental in OBJ
tanning work for veterans, in discour-
aging the migration of unemployed
men toward The great industrial cen
tiers and has encouraged a movement
from cities to the farms. 1t has de-
manded that workers who left their
positions to go to war. should enjoy
seniority rights on par with those OF
military age who stayed at home.
Ex-service men have suffered more
in proportion to their numbers than
other workers, Accord ng to the Leg
ions survey, because of the operation
Of seniority rules and efficiency stand
ards. Nearly a year is required for
the returned veteran to get back TO
his old stride in industry, according to
the testimony of large employers of
labor. Another thing that has handi-
capped the ex-soldier is his restless
ness and nomadic tendencies. both
products of the strain and circum-
stances of war service.
Reopening of factories and mills in
the textile regions of New England
and in the mining and industrial CEN
tiers of Pennsylvania leads observers
in those parts to believe the worst is
past, according to the 4egion's survey.
The automobile centers of Detroit,
Cleveland and indianapolis report a
slight improvement of conditions. In
Chicago conditions are stationary it is
said.
Prefer Open Country.
Throughout the agricultural middle
west general movement from the
sites and towns OF the farms is re
ported. The average ex-soldier had
little taste for agriculture when he
came back from the war. 1t was hard
to keep them down on the farm after
they had seen Paree." They chose
TO work in the small factories or
stores in the neighboring country seat
where, during 1919, jobs were plenty
and wages high. When those jobs be
gan to go there was at first an exodus
toward the larger cities. The Legion
strove to discourage this. That move.
ment has about spent itself and farm
ers throughout the west now report
little difficulty in getting help, and ex
cept in the larger cities there are few
able bodied ex-service men reported
out of work in the middle west.
The south reports improvement
Dixie has been burdened with a larger
quota of winter floaters than usual
this year according to reports. Some
are now finding farm work in the
south, others are drifting north, large
ly to settle on farms. a.
The Pacific coast, land where there
are the three great seasonable occupa
tons of fishing, numbering and fruit
raising, has been able to decrease the
Number of jobless veterans by half il
Two months, according to advices from
there. In Washington state there
were 1000 unemployed veterans or
Jan. / and 1000 on Feb. I. .+<