The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-10-07
Survey by American Legion
Shows Desperate Plight Of
Men Who Went to Front.
FIGHTING FOR EXISTENCE
Former Service Men Battling Harder
Now and Under Greater odds
Than They Fought In the
Trenches In France.

Indianapolis-Betwe 100000 and
100000 veterans of the World war are
out of employment and struggling for
existence. according to a survey COM
pleted by the American Legion.
Many of these men, the survey dis
closes. are fighting harder now and
under greater odds perhaps than they
fought In the trenches.
The survey was conducted through
the 1900 posts Of the Legion.
Pennsylvania alone reported 10000
ex-service men out of work. The
New York Legion department esti-
mated 100000 veterans jobless In the
state. and Illinois and Massachusetts,
reported respectively $4,000 and 10000
ex-service men out Of work.
Georgia was the only state that re-
ported improvement In the unem-
ployed situation. Unemployment not
general enough to require aid from
Legion" was the report from that
state. Iowa reported that the indus
tries in that state were showing signs
of life. although serious condition
this winter was anticipated.
Situation Is Desperate.
The report from Pennsylvania de-
scribed conditions as deplorable and
the state of Washington advised ex-
service men not to go to that state
until conditions improved. Michigan's
unemployed war veterans were said
to number 10000, but Industrial con-
ditions were reported as better than
two months ago"
Commenting on the situation Which
has come out of the business depres-
sion, the American Legion Weekly
says:
Figures alone. however, do not tell
the plight of American unemployed
veterans. for the greater part Of these
/ jobless ex-soldiers and ex-sailors are
not only out of work, but are engaged
al this moment In a struggle for ex-
istence with their backs to the wall
of circumstances. They are for the
most part men who have been econom-
ically on the defensive ever since they
left their country's service. Many are
men who found their old jobs gone
when they took Off their uniforms, and
no other jobs to be had. Those who
succeeded In discovering some work
after being discharged from the army
or navy found they were pitted in re-
morseless competition against men
who had not been in the service
Many employers dealt with them by
the rule of last hired. first fred
Hard Winter Ahead.
IF they were lucky enough to have
savings from before the war awaitin.
them when they were discharged
those savings have long since disap
peared They found themselves with
out funds early in the period of In
dustria depres ion which set in Will,
this country was getting back to +,
peace-time basis. Workers who hat
been employed steadily at high wages
during the war were able to coast int,
the depression period living on the
poyed ex-service men have been, per
force. little, more than Industrial scav
engers, compelled to seek odds an,
ends Of work desperately to meet thei
simplest necessities. The more for
tunate have been largely dependen
upon relatives and kindly friends
Those lacking these have been roam
, ing from city to city, restlessy seekin
work. Many of them have wives an