Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-13
| etters
To the Editor
TO THE EDITOR:

OUR manpower problem seems
" to be one of the most seri-
Gus these days, and 1 thought l
might possibly advance an idea
through you which I sincerely
believe would remedy the situ-
alton to great extent.
I believe the physical require
ments for the armed forces
should be raised. 1t is jokingly
remarked and almost true that
the inductee's body is felt and
If warm, he is taken. We are in
need of many men in the armed
forces and of many men for the
home front.
The armed forces need the
more physically perfect; where
as. the home front can do with
those not so physically perfect.
I believe the desired ratio would
be obtained If the physical re-
quirements for the armed serv-
ice were raised, thus giving the
service what is needed. those in
good health who can stand up 10
the hardshipS of this life. while
the remainder, those not in per-
feet health. could fill up our
labor shortage on the home
front.
We hear much today about
loss of man hours. / am sure
il is not realized by the majority
the number of men in hospitals
of the army and navy through
out the country.
An investigation would de-
velop that many Of these men
would be on the job in civilian
life: however. in the service.
minor complaints such as will be
found have TO be hospitaliZed,
as man cannot carry out his
duties AS he could in civilian
life with these minor complaints.
This must be about the great
est loss of man hours we have.
In civilian life a man can he
doctoring and still do his work;
hut in the service. a man is
either marked duty or sick in
quarters or hospital.
Aside from this loss in man
hours, il is taking up the time
of our needed doctors and nurses
and at an expense 10 the gov
eminent that would not have
been necessary IL the man had
been more closely examined at
induction.
Not enough attention is given
at induction 10 a mans physical
record. This record, I believe,
is disregarded on the most part;
and if the man is in good health
at induction. he is taken, with
no thought given 10 the possibil-
ity of an old ailment coming
back on him by his going into
the service.
have personally seen many
instances where a man had been
getting along very well in civil
ian life with an affliction Of one
sort or another: but due 10 the
change in climate. living or
working conditions. his ailment
put him in the hospital.
As an example. man had an
aSthmatic condition when he was
young, and his parents spent
great deal of money trying 10
cure him of it, taking him TO
different parts Of the country
where the air agreed with him.
They finally settled at Niagara
Falls. n. Y, after the hoy
seemed cured. and the boy grew
up and was not bothered again,
He was indicted into the army
at the start OF the emergency.
He was in good health then. but
no attention was given 10 his
past record. He was sent to
Alabama. After all the years
Of being free Of his asthmatic
condition. il came back on him
there; and after spending a
great deal Of time in the hos
pital, he was discharged. There
are many such cases, and I
know.
In 1886 I had ulcers of the
stomach. I was indicted into
the army in January Of 194l. ]
served Is months in the army
and spent six of the Is in the
hospital before / was finally dis
charged Since my discharge. I
have had a great deal Of trouble
with my stomach. but I have not
lost A single days work since /
returned TO my job.