Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-11
THE NEW VETERANS SCHOOL
BY FREDERIC j. HASkIN

BY FREDERIC j. HASKIN
Washington, d. c., Jan. S.-The
opening of the U. S. Veterans Bureau
Vocational Schools at Chillicothe.
Ohio. formerly Camp Sherman, marks
the Inauguration of a new policy in
the disabled veterans.
Formerly the trainees farmed out
to various institutions. The veterans
will now be taken out OF these schools
and placed in the Government institu-
ton at Chillicothe. The Government
will not take students out OF accredit-
ed universities and colleges where
Veterans Bureau trainees are taking
professional courses.
The school at Chillicothe is being
rapidly equipped with modern labora-
tories and shops for classes In elec-
trical work. printing. steam fitting.
engraving, carpentry. architecture.
bookbinding as well as courses along
agricultural lines. such as horicui-
turt. animal husbandry. dairyins.
cheese and cream making. forestry.
and similar lines. The school will
he devoted principally to instruction
in the trades and in agriculture.
Tho closest attention will be paid to
the health of these disabled veterans.
A modern hospital will be maintained
on the campus, with an adequate me
deal and nursing staff. Disabled men
in some instances are subject to dc-
spondency as result of their condi-
ton. Consequently rccreative pro-
gram has been planned to better the
morale. Every accommodation has
been made for the married trainees 10
insure the comfort OF the student and
his family. Model cottages have been
built and furnished by the Govern
ment Tho cottages Will not be or
uniform type or color in order to pre-
Ns.N
grounds will have the appearance OF
n typical collage campus. rather than
an Army camp or military reserva-
tion.
The finance officer OF the school
will make arrangements with the
various banking establishments for
the students to open saving accounts.
so that when they are rehabilitated or
graduated from the school. they Will
have enough money to start business
for them selves. or at least enough TO
tide them over the period of transit
ton.
The administrative head OF the
schools will he Colonel Symmonds
who was chief OF the Public Service
Commission of Cuba in 1898. He was
chief o,iartermaster OF the Exped'-
tionary Forces during the Cuban cam
paign, and was later In charge OF the
Public improvements Mt Port Prin-
cipc. During the World War he con-
s,ructed the largest supply depot In
France.
Plans are made for the accommo-
dation OF 5000 or more students Mt
the Chilliothe school Some disabled
veterans have the impression that
strict military discipline will prevail
at this Government school. and have
objected to the plan on that ground.
This objection is unfounded. Only
ordinary discipline. such as is neces-
sary In all we'll regulated schools, will
prevail.
ADVANTAGES oT THE SCHOOL
The National Vocational Schools
will take place of many Inferior types
of schools formerly giving instructions
to veterans. The period of training
will be sufficiently long to enable the
trainec to completely master his voca-
tion and to overcome his vocational
handicnD. A system of 9deduate try
outs will be established for the train
ees to determine " they have aptitude
for particular lines Of work.
When the original soldier Rehahili-
tation Act was passed on June 81.
1915, the Government had no reliable
data. either In this country or In any
foreign country on which to base
program. The vocational rehabili-
tation OF disabled veterans was a new
proposition There had been an at
tempt on a small scale TO rehabilitato
those men injured in industry prior to
the passage Of this act. Tho govern
mental agency charged with this re-
lief under the act was the Federal
Board for Vocational Education,
which had been nr~pnizcd under tho
act Of July 81. 1917.
Canada had already begun the es-
tahlishnent OF veteran rehabilita-
ton program and generously loaned
the Federal Board several men who
had been occupied IN this work.
However, Il had been found that the
m methods used In Canada and other
countries were not applicable In the
United states The other countries
worked on u smaller scale, with
limited class of eligible heneflciarics.
our program was planned on more
non crnua al.a 10 rhn tl1nn ,uhn 1i,rnd