The Washington times., 1921-08-20
LOOK To MEADE
.ASLOCAT|ONOF
VOCATION CAMP
President Strongly Favors Use
of Post for Aid of Disabled
Soldiers.

W OSk WI NV w Ssoo6'SS
Soldiers.
Concentration of the rehabilitation
and the vocational training activities
Of the Government, now scattered far
and wide, at a single army canton
ment, or a series Of such canton
ments. IL project now In the Presi-
dents mind. 1t was discussed for
nearly an hour at yesterdays Cabinet
meeting, II was officially announced.
Meade Right In Line.
And If the concentration plan is car
ried, 1t seemed certain that Camp
Meade would be selected for the pur-
pose. Without question, It was stated.
this military reservation would be
made use of should more than one
camp be needed.
Discussion of details is deferred, the
White House announced, until Colonel
trans Bureau, can go over the matter
with the vocational experts and make
a report to the President.
The President stated to visitors that
he expected this report within ten
days, and that IL 1t is favorable he will
move without delay In putting 1t into
effect.
As laid before the Cabinet, the stu.
alton IL far from satisfactory. The
President has found that the veteran
rehabilitation and voca tional activities
are carried on In . haphazard, ineffec-
tive and wasteful way at a score or
more Of training centers. This Is not
due to inefficiency on the part of the
training corps. 1t Ii said. 1t Is due 20
the system and lack Of concentrated
effort
Big School Is Planned.
II Is the Presidents idea that some
one OF the environments now being
abandoned be selected first as a
training center, where at least 10000
men needing rehabilitation may he
assembled. properly housed and ade-
quately trained. He wants work
shops erected at this cantonment and
such other plants as may be needed
to make II a great industrial high
school for the benefit Of the tens of
thousands of former service men
who are still under the guardianship
OF the Government.
After ne had outlined his plan to
the Cabinet the President was told
that fully 100000 men of the army
and navy were In need OF training
and he was reminded that one can.
Torment could not be expanded to a
point where so large a number might
be accommodated.
This led the President to observe,
after the meeting adjourned, that.
whereas he originally had in mind
only one cantonment for former serv.
ice men, he realized that IL this
one operation should prove success.
full II might easily become necessary
to reopen series of the canton.
ments now In possession OF the War
Department.
Seven Slated TO Go.
Seven OF these environments nre
about to be abandoned now. Among
the number In Camp Meade, which,
however, Is to be retained for tank
work. for training purposes and for
such other military uses rs II may
meet.
The suggestion that the Government
might turn first of all to Camp Meade
In the event the Presidents program
is adopted is based. first. upon the fact
that It 10 within hailing distance Of
Washington and would be Immediately
uiuer the eyer Oh tho ottiCidis OF inc
veterans bureau.
In the next place this cantonmtnt
Is located midway between two large
cities, making II possible to draw upon
Baltimore and Washington at all times
Tor expert mechanics for the training
corps, az well As supplies of all kinds
needed for quick delivery. Finally the
camp Is admirably located with re-
spect to transportation and climate.
Although an order to partially aban.
don Camp Meade was issued some
time ago, the fact might be recalled
that the physical property 10 to re-
disturbed except the salvaging of
some useless barracks. 1t has been
assumed all along that the Govern
ment had some plan In mind for the
use OF this exceptionally well located
and equipped military reservation.
Cabinet Favors Plan.
From all that could be gathered yes
terday, the Cabinet was found by the
President heartily to favor the plan
he had In mind. No member found
any reason why II could not be carried
out, possibly by Executive order.
Legislation by Congress may not be
found necessary, unless Il be to trans
fer title to the military reservation
or reservations from the War Depart
ment to the Veterans Bureau.
Even that IL unnecessary, II was
pointed out. The President has full
power to direct the Secretary of War
to turn over to the Veterans Bureau
any military properties that the army
may not need.
Colonel Forbes, II is stated, will call
In all his expert advisers and go over
the whole ground before submitting