Evening star., 1937-11-14
A Weaponless Army
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.N


of the emergency legislation enacted dur
ing the depression years, 1t is now eyi-
dent that the work of the Civilian Con-
servation Corps will rank high in the
Nations attempts to combat an eco
nonic collapse.
The G. G. G. has received more praise
and less blame than any other of the
experimental undertakings launched by
the administration to relieve unemploy-
ment. The activities of this enterprise
have not only provided work under
healthful conditions for several hundred
thousand young men. but have given
them ample opportunity to secure valu-
able vocational training. The worth of
this vocational training Is attested by
the large number of c. c. c. enrollees
who are discharged monthly to enter
private employment.
The c. c. c. program was initiated on
March 20, 1888, when President Roose-
velt sent to Congress a message urging
the adoption Of legislation under which a
vast army Of idle young men would be
put to work in the Nations forests, parks
and fields upon profits of definite, worth
while value to the country. Congress
responded by passing enabling legisla-
tAOAi oii A'AoA I'll o1t iooos diiO Ilit flColOCAt
signed the bill the same day. On April
5, by executive order, the Office of Ener-
gency Conservation, Work was created,
and four departments-War Interior,
Agriculture and Labor-were directed to
cooperate with the director of emer-
gency conservation work in putting the
c. c. c. program into effect.
The organization of the c. c. C.. pro-
o. fnruo rI ,,iri1u or1I bt ri,
July total of 1,468 camps had been
established and 100000 men-25,00O of
them war veterans-had been put to
work. In 1895 the enrolled strength of
the corps was increased to 100000, ex-
elusive Of $4,000 Indians and territorials,
and the number of camps to 1852. AS
business conditions have improved and
work opportunities for young men have
increased, the strength of the corps has
gradually been reduced until at the
present time there are approximately
100000 men at work, exclusive of In
operation.
During the first two years. unmarried
young men between 18 and 25 we're
eligible. Later the age eligibility regula-
tions were changed to II to %. Under
the new legislation. unmarried young
men between the ages of II and % who
are unemployed and in need of employ
ment are eligible. About 8 per cent of
the total enrolment has been and still
is war veterans. Each enrollee receives
cash allowance of $50 a month, with
the opportunity of promotion to assist
ant leader at s36 per month, leader at
s45 per month, or higher paying posi-
tions. In addition to the cash allowance,
all enrollees are furnished with food,
clothes, shelter, medical attention and
educational facilities.
Since April 5. 1888, when the corps was
launched, the c. c. c. organization has
afforded employment directly to approxi-
mately 100000 persons, launched and
advanced constructive Nation wide
program for the conservation of the
country's natural resources of timber and
SOIL stimulated business recovery through
the purchase of almost s900,000 900 worth
OF foodstuffs, wearing apparel, automo-
tive equipment, and other supplies, and
improved the employability, health and
morale of hundreds of thousands of
youngsters who otherwise would have
been idle. AS relief agency, the corps
has aided enrollees to contribute more
than s400, 100000 to the support of needy
dependents, most of whom had been on
public relief rolls when their sons entered
the G. Q. c.
This Weaponless army moved forward
from broken homes. charity shelters and
the highway trails, all blended into one
common mass of humanity. 1t went
forth in the spirit of calm and the spirit
to conquer. 1t went forth to fight the
greatest battle ever known to humanity
"a battle against physical privation,
against death itself.
When armies Of other days moved for
ward there was shouting and cheering
and weeping. Loved ones were loath to
be separated from those near and dear
to them. The soldiers of the c. C. c.
army moved forward without fear that
they would not return. but with Joy
and gladness that at least a partial
opportunity had come to them that they
might, temporarily at least. bridge the
chasm that had been widening and deep
ening between them and the port of
hope.
An army of volunteers this was. no
consumption save by an economic depres-
sion that had become a human oppres-
sion No death-dealing weapons they
carried, but implements of production.
to strengthen, beautify and glorify their
country's natural resources. They were
not marching behind the Stars and
Stripes. but they were being protected by
the strength of its folds, and given an
opportunity through the spirit it repre-
sents
In their homes, broken in many in
stances, dependents had the satisfaction
of knowing that the soldiers they had
sent along with this army would be given
food and shelter and a modest amount to
help bring physical comfort to those left
behind
This great army-and it was great in
many wayS-moved forward against an
invisible enemy. yet one whose destruc-
ton and devastation could be seen in
every household and on every highway.
That this army would make good no one
doubted. These soldiers were and are
benefited by contact with their fellow
countrymen, and through an orderly life
they have guarded their mental strength,
protected their health and added to it by
an outdoor living. When the battle is
over and they return home they may not
be met by the applauding multitude, but
they will be better prepared to meet life.
AS work agency, the Civilian Con-
servatlon Corps has vitalized public in
terest in the needs of conservation and
advanced a countrywide conservation