The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1945-05-23
DO WE WANT OUR vETERANsa

Announcement that the Army will re-
duce its strength by 1900, 900 men in the
next year is Immediately associated with
news that there will begin a gradual recon-
version of industry to peacetime production.
with an estimated increase of 100000 un-
employed in the next year.
These facts are taken from report
made by War Mobilization Director Fred
M. Vinson, who warns that great part of
our war working force must stay on the job
and that rationing, high taxes, wage and
price ceilings and many other controls must
be maintained until Japan is beaten.
Immediately, upon the news that Ger
many had surrendered there were de-
mands in this country for the speedy re-
turn of fighting men, but, so far as we have
noted, little discussion of the economic sit.
uation that will comfort men released from
active service.
The figures given by Judge Vinson in
iicate that returning veterans will not step
from the ranks into waiting jobs, and that
IN the shuttle for employment, some of
them may not find immediate opportunity.
This is tragic spectacle, regardless of
he reasons assigned. Thousands of men
Who have faced the enemy in battle and
isked their lives for the nation will soon
arrive in this country. They will be anxious
to gather again, the lost threads of their
;peaeetime existence and eager to find fer
themselves a place in the economic ar
Tangenfe ntgbx which men seek to earn
living for thehseIves and their families.
!. Every community and business enter
prfsenin the nation is indebted TO these
fighting men for continued existence and
relative safety. Out of the emergency of
he war, the nation as whole and business
enterprises as separate entities have reaped
benefits in the way of definite financial
rewards.
1t is obvious, therefore, that strenuous
efforts should be made to provide employ
ment for returning service men, The prob
lem cannot be solved by leaving it to indus
trial centers and to big business generally, i
or to the government 1t must be attacked
everywhere.
Every business should definitely at
tempt to provide employment for veterans.
Executive management, which is supposed
TO be the brains of economic enterprise,
.lust use its intelligence and be prepared,
{ necessary, to take some risks in the way
Of expansion in order to provide The jobs
le ccssary.
Monroe county has seen hundreds of
her sons go forth to war. They have de-
raIted with the thought in mind that, some
lay, they would come back home to live the
lie they planned before war began. Mill
Ary service broke into their existing ar
angements, other people have occupied
heir places of employment and they now
ace, upon their return home. some anxiety
as to their economic status.
Throughout the United States there
are countless organizations of business men
seeking to attract outside capital and new
Industries for the purpose of providing jobs
and payroIls. Many of us overlook the asset
hat Monroe county has in her sons and
the tremendous economic gains that will be
made if they can be persuaded to cast their
future lots in their former places of abode.
/. is time for some specific action de-
igned to make It possible and profitable.
lor retaEaingSsSvice men to RESUME their
aerma,ieat reAd &nce Sheress What if any
shing, is Key Msst going e aS?~ +
x 49,. :. ~ : -eSNs--* So
Remember, soldier, the only secret is