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Quite the antithesis of the policy of refitting the disabled man for return to the regular fields of industry to find employment side by side with normal workers -- and with the disability assuming progressively a role of less and less importance -- is a proposal recently made in England to provide for the partially disabled through the erection of a system of industrial villages wherein should be housed and employed the returning physically handicapped soldiers. It being assumed that re-education has been provided for, there is proposed the creation of an exceptionally favorable environment so that the results of training "may be increased a hundred-fold," for it is argued that if the crippled men "are compelled to carry on their work amid the evil conditions so often existing in our towns however well-housed in home and workshop, instead of in the villages which it is our desire and aim to see placed at the disposal of employers of wounded soldiers, as well as those who work at independent crafts, we shall certainly have failed, as a nation and individually, in our whole duty towards them." The proposal is to build up model villages, either now in their entirety or built around some existing nucleus. The financial suggestion is that the capital expenditure be financed at government or private expense, but that beyond this point the disabled men should pay their own way. It is expected to provide a central business organization which would arrange for community purchase of supplies and marketing of products.

Such a village, from the ideal point of view, would assuredly be a charming place in which to live. But whether the plan would work is open to some question. The best test of all proposals for disabled men is to consider whether they would work for normal men. On this criterion, it seems unlikely that a given group of men, mostly resident in large cities, could be persuaded in spite of apparent inducements to leave their present homes and social ties, and move with their families to a new locality. Certainly they would not do so unless satisfactory employment were certain indeed.

It is proposed that the village be planned and built around a dominant industry. By showing of actual experience no industry could be found which would suit any considerable proportion of disabled soldiers. The principles of their re-education call for training in the same line as that in which they were previously employed or in a line very closely related. The number of training subjects is constantly on the increase. For example, in Canada, disabled men are being taught ninety-seven different vocations. No village would supply employment of such wide range.

It is on the social considerations involved, however, that must be taken most definite issue. The plan calls for the segregation of a special class, a policy which has been rejected in modern work of social character. In the statement of the plan this criticism is anticipated, and it is argued that disabled men will be happier in their own company than when struggling under real or imaginary odds against able-bodied competitors. The answer is that true happiness comes with replacement in normal employment, working side by side on an even footing with normal operatives. The aim of re-education is to turn out the soldier as a skilled worker in a job at which his disability is no handicap. Will the one-legged man be better off in a colony of cripples or -- after thorough training as a telegrapher, monotype operator, or mechanical draftsman -- in employment secured through standard channels?

CHAPTER VII
HELP OR HINDRANCE

Though the re-educational provision may be excellent, and though the will and spirit of the men under training may be of the best, yet the complete success of a program of rehabilitation will depend upon whether the attitude of the public acts as a help or a hindrance -- upon whether the influence on the individual ex-soldier of his family, his employer, and the community at large is constructive or demoralizing.

What, then, is the public duty toward the disabled soldier? For it is certain that the requirements need only to be understood to be fulfilled.

The first responsibility on the part of the family of the injured man is to learn the meaning of disability, and see the hopeful rather than the depressing aspect. Just recently, in the suburb of a large Pennsylvania city, a woman in a swoon was found on the steps of the local postoffice. She had just opened a letter from her son at the front which told of a gunshot injury necessitating amputation of his left arm below the elbow. Immediately there rose before her eyes the terrifying prospect of a life of idleness and possible pauperism. One can imagine what her next letter would be like: saying she knows what the amputation means and sympathizes most tenderly on account of what must be faced in the future. If it were only a leg, it would not be so bad for then he might be able to take care of himself and get some kind of a job, but with an arm off he could not expect to do that. But she and father have saved up some, and with uncle's help they will take care of him till the end of his days. Picture the influence of this message in comparison with another which might be sent in the light of a fuller understanding of what is possible: "I have just heard of your arm amputation and sympathize most lovingly in your loss. But I know you will not lose your courage, even at this sacrifice for your country. Even now, the national authorities are making plans to make up so far as possible for such losses, as you doubtless already well know. One-armed men can be trained for skilled jobs, especially men with native ability such as yours, and the training is already under way in the city near us. The employers also here are becoming tremendously interested in the subject, are finding jobs specially suited to men who have lost arms or legs, and have promised these jobs to the fellows who return from the front disabled. And you can count on our standing behind you at every step and helping in every way we can. This is really a fine future to look ahead to, for if you make good here at home with your handicap of honor, you and we will have true reason to be proud. And of course you will succeed if you go at this obstacle with the same spirit and nerve as have gone toward your work in the army. Your mother will look forward to seeing you return home, wearing the uniform of Uncle Sam and flying the colors of a soldier who can't be beaten."