Evening star., 1928-04-29
sHUMAN SCRAP HEAP" PAYS
WELL In REHABILITATION
Uncle Sam Shows Gain of S6,225, 200 in
Year at Cost of Sl,l24,5OO for
Reclaiming War Victims.


tional Education made public some OF
the astounding benefits accruing 20 the
public through operation Of such laws.
II was disclosed, for instance, that the
average weekly wage of one group Of
rehabilitants in 1924 was s23.20. where
as after rehabilitation their wage was
S25.28 per week OF this group 81 per
cent had no earning power during the
period Of disablement, while per cent
had never worked prior TO becoming dis
abled. The average weekly wage after
rehabilitation Of the few who had never
worked before was $3.50.
A careful investigation Of nearly 1000
cases of rehabilitation during the first
four years of existence Of the Federal
board disclosed about 1000 persons re-
employed, 444 unemployed. 903 not To-
Gated, $50 not reported 212 dead and 90
women married. OF the persons not 10
Gated 1t is probable that many had OBJ
tanned employment in other cities.
OF 4.099 persons who were employed.
486 held down the same Jobs with the
same employers as before their injury,
622 had different work under the same
employers, 409 had the same type Of
work as before, but with new employers.
and 1882 were on different WORK with
different employers.
Unemployed Census.
OF the 444 unemployed l64 were
physically unable 10 work, 145 we're un-
able to work by reason of "niscellane-
Gus causes" fl were the victims Of nusi-
ness depression, 30 we're in eleemosynary
institutions. 8 had other means Of sup
port, were in penal institutions, had
quit work because of dissatisfaction with
their jobs, were vocationally unable 70
work, were begging and 81 were seek-
ing employment.
An analysis Of the origin OF disability
with respect TO this group Of 1000 per-
sons shows that more than 2,700 we're
victims Of compensate employment ac-
cidents. They received compensation,
but were vocationally handicapped. An
additional $40 were disabled and not
compensated while employed in indus
try. more than 1000 were injured in
public accidents. 1884 we're disabled By
disease and about $50 were congsnital
cripples.
Wisconsin is one Of the States most
enthusiastic over the success of the
vocational education system.
In that State. from 1921 to 1925. the
number Of rehabilitants was 1885.
Their gross earnings before rehabilita-
ton were S499. 9.208 Their total gross
earnings after being trained for new
vocations were Sl.159 94S. The per
capita annual earnings prior 70 re-
Mobilization were s48l and the per
capita annual earnings after rehablIita-
ton were s1,119
The increase Of earnings was 232 per
cent over the amount they we're receiv-
ing before their injuries.
Probe Under Way in ID. C..
In connection with the pending bill
for the District of Columbia the ques-
ton has been raised as to the number
Of persons annually disabled here
either by accident or disease. An in
vestigation of. this question, nov under
way. should prove Of great interest
An investigation along this lire con-
Quoted by the American Association for
Labor Legislation has disclosed that
most OF the industrial accidents in the
District occur in building construction,
road and street construction, employ
ment around local transportation sys-
TENS. trucking and moving. OF course.
traffic accidents must be added 70
these.
The bill would provide $4,000 annu-
ally for rehabilitation work IN the
District Of Columbia.
The local legislation. like that for
the States at large. IS entirely apart
from compensation legislation. although
provision Is made for cooperation be-
tween the vocational board and the
employees compensation commission.
The compensation plan renders finan-
cial aid TO disabled employees. but makes
no attempt to rehabilitate them.
Vocational Training.
The vocational training system
E-~a,~ A.
robbed of means of self-Support and
assists them back on the road TO self
support and good citizenship.
Since 1921. 1880 persons have been
restored TO self-supporting pursuits by
the national civilian rehabilitation pro-
gram. That program is an intensely
individualized one. despite the vast
scope of the field covered.
The first step in this individual pro
gram is TO give the disabled one counsel
regarding physical restoration. and. II
necessary. 10 fit him with an artificial
appliance 10 enable him 10 work. Thus
training accomplished. efforts are made
10 place him in a profitable position.
Under this remarkable care and guild
ance. legleSS statesmen become success
fOl watch repairmeu, or sign writers.
or artists: farmers stricken blind become
wicker-furniturs artisans: florists are
made over into jewellers; factory workers
become automobile repairmen. etc. etc.
Pitiful wrecks Of humanity are taken
from the scrap heap of despair. urer1-
ployment and poverty and launched
anew on seas Of hope. industry and
success.
II costs Uncle sam and the states
little money 10 render this service 20
the people. but. after all. the generosity
involved is not without its recompenSs
for all concerned.