Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-04

chinery department.; A. {. Wltham'
auto mechanic instructor; Herbert
Phelan, auto ignition: Charles NJ.
David and Herbert Malzard. mechan-
ical drawing: Edward Boulos. cleo
trical craftsman.
When it Is considered that the
school has been approved since
January. 1922. it can be seen that
wonderful strides have been taken.
At the Portland school. especial at
tention is being paid to elementary
education as many of them only had
| third and fourth grade schooling be-
fore they entered the service.
! Personal supervision has been
made of each Of these cases, SO that
| the boys may feel that they are not
left to fight for themselves. but that
| there is someone at the school who
has them in mind. The Government
| will fit them so they can read. write
and do arithmetic, in order to COM
| pete successfully with their Bud
dies" who have had greater educa-
tional advantages.
/ Many of the boys feel they should
receive training if they have re-
ceived compensation. This I'M
doubtedly has been told the boys by
those who are not conversant with
| the exact conditions. For instance,
the law says. that a man having
vocational handicap to such an ex-
tent that he cannot do the work
| which he did prior to entering the
| war, may have q claim for training.
There is some confusion and some
| instances where the ex-soldier has
| hindered the progress of his case by
/ having a sickness after his return
from service that was not of SER
vice origin or claims disability from
| a sickness that did not occur in SER
vice or was not traceable to service.
He is entirely sincere in making this
| claim. but the service record in
| Washington does not mention any
such disability. Therefore, it takes
a lot of time to trace this through.
1t is found to be neglible charac-
ter. therefore non compensate.
The majority of cases that are
pending today Of long standing are
caused by lack of evidence being
submitted in some instances that
| nave Deen Cdlleu IOT
In order to receive vocational
training, the process which the eX-
soldier goes through is general
history of the case, a doctors exam
jnation and evidence that will con-
Hnect his disability with his service.
In many instances it was shown that
the physical condition of man was
better at the time of discharge than
later on. This may have really been
due to possible excitement and he
| began to feel the result Of the strain
under which he had been living,
| later on.
On the strength of the report as
submitted the rating is made. al
though members of the rating sec
ton may never have seen the appli-
cant.
The courses which the Govern
ment offer, are for the most part,
two to two and half years in dur
| alton At the end of the time the
| eX-soIdier is skilled workman.
| This applies, for the most part, to
| machinist work, carpentry and cab
met work. 1t takes from one to two
years to take the courses offered in
| electricity, auto mechanics. battery
and ignition work, tire vulcanizinS
| and auto painting.
The Portland office of the> War
| Veterans Bureau is branch of the
Boston department and the sub
district manager at Portland is NAL
colin L. Stoddard. who has entire
! charge of the bureau. The training
! of the men is under direct supervi-
/ sion OF James r. Mailman. Terri
4 tory from Rockland to Bath, Bruins
/ wick, Lewiston, Auburn and vicinity.
! is cared for by Walter S. Hanna,
who has had many years experience
/ in educational work and is keen
| student of psychology. making him
an able man for the position he
| holds.
The Portland business school is
handled by Mr.. Hanna.
! Portland, Westbrook, South Port
land. Yarmouth, Falmouth, Gorham.
| northern New Hampshire, on the
! White Mountain division, Sanford.
| Sprngvale, Kennebunk are handled
| by Thomas Stratton. who is very
] successful in the work.
! Rumford, Livermore Falls, Mon
(, mouth. Winthrop, Augusta. Water
I vile, Skowhegan, Madison, Halo
well, Gardiner Richmond and Bow
| doinham are under the care of an
other man of the staff.
The physical welfare Of the men,
| both in training and compensate in
| Portland area is being done by Dr.
George o. Cummings and DR.. George
Tibbetts.
| In the follow up work Of men in
training ia Portland district at the
| present time. looking out for their
| physical welfare, il Mrs. Lila Henne-
berry. registered nurse.
| 1t 10 not the intention of the Gov
eminent or the Veterans Bureau to
attempt to rehabilitate or leave the
eX-servfce men in such a condition
that he cannot be entirely self-sup-
orting and an asset to the COM
munity.
So long as the boys will show their
interest, they win be carried along
by the Veterans Bureau and will go