The Brattleboro Daily Reformer

RED CROSS TO HELP WAR WORKERS

War Department Makes Announcement That Many Will Be Discharged.

ASKS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING PLACES

Network of Red Cross Chapters Will Bring the Idle and Employers Into Communication - Will Not Set Up Employment Bureaus.

WASHINGTON, April 19. - American Red Cross chapters throughout the United States will assist in the return to civilian employment of the large number of war workers brought to Washington by the government who will be released by the war department between now and June 30, it was announced here last night

This service is undertaken upon the direct request of Secretary of War Baker.

It is not proposed to set up an employment agency, but the Red Cross will, through its network of chapters in every state, bring these workers and employers into communication.

Secretary Baker's letter to the Red Cross was as follows:

'Between now and June 30 there will be a large number of emergency employees leaving the department, who came to Washington at the earnest solicitation of the government to do their share in the World war.

'So splendidly have they performed their work that it is my hope that they may all be absorbed in private industry with as little delay and inconvenience as possible. I feel that the responsibility of the war department toward these employees will not be fulfilled until every reasonable effort is made to enable them to get other employment.

'Knowing the contacts, which have been established by the Red Cross practically in every community in the country, it has occurred to me that it could admirably aid the war department in securing positions for the employees who are to leave. I do not ask that an elaborate employment bureau be set up, but rather a channel of communication between the worker and the community in which employment is sought to be established.

'I shall be most grateful, and I am sure that the employees will share my feeling, for whatever service the Red Cross is able to give in this particular work.'

According to the secretary's request the Red Cross wrote:

The Red Cross welcomes this opportunity and will gladly aid in providing channel of communication between the released worker and the community in which employment is sought. We understand that we are not in any wise assuring positions to those who are released, but can help by making available to employees throughout local chapters or local public employment offices the statements of qualifications prepared by applicants. We feel confident that communities throughout the country will respond promptly.

The service to be conducted by the Red Cross thus will aim to place released war workers in the communities to which they wish to go. Records of their employment and qualifications will be compiled under supervision of the war department and transmitted to Red Cross chapters in the localities desired. The home service sections of the chapters will then enlist the free public employment office or such other placement facilities as may be available to find appropriate positions for the released workers.

It is the hope of the war department and the Red Cross that wide publicity will be given the undertaking that the girls who helped 'on the home front' may be restored to civilian pursuits with minimum of delay and that employers seeking tested help may know that a large number of office workers who have served the biggest employer in the country are now available for private employment.