Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/36

 34 THE FORT SHERIDAN ASSOCIATION

formed Bureau of Soldiers and Sailors, he outlined the plan of organization which was subsequently adopted — namely, a centralized office, sufficiently large to take care of the problem of re-employing all men from the service; of employing service men to do this work on a business-like basis; also pre- senting the plan which eventually was adopted, by which the co-operating organizations should agree to support this Bureau of Soldiers and Sailors out of their own funds as a part of their readjustment work rather than to trust to Government support, which eventually would have failed, or to private initiative, which would never have been adequate.

From December to March the Employment Bureau was maintained in connection with the United States Employment service at Dearborn and Washington streets. But in March, through the efforts of Maj.-Gen. Leonard Wood, who had just become commander of the Central Department, the Bureau of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines was much strengthened. Larger financial support was secured from co-operating agencies and the work was removed to 1 20 West Adams street.

For a year this Bureau was the center of work for the returning soldiers, sailors and marines. More than 100,000 returning men registered there for some kind of service, and more than 40,000 positions were secured for men in civil life.

The Fort Sheridan Association removed to the Bureau as soon as it opened and worked with it until it closed. Lieut. C. A. Rogers, Jr., was employed to take charge of the employment of returning officers and of specialized professions or businesses where special efforts w^ere necessary. This position gave unusual opportunities for service. Thousands of men and women were helped directly in our office, while by correspondence with mem- bers and others at a distance we tried to assist returning men in every avail- able way.

From January 1st to March 1, 1920, the Association, at the request of General Wood, and with the approval of the Citizens' Committee which se- cured the special funds, agreed to assume all running expenses of the Bureau of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines until it closed its year's work. This completed a record of practical and persistent service which compares favorably in Chicago with the largest national agencies.

Members outside of Illinois can testify that the organization has also has been advanced to men and their families in all sections of the country and, as far as we have been able, we have co-operated with local agencies to accomplish everything possible.

On July 17, 1919, the Civilian Board, having served faithfully during the period of the war, resigned in order that the machinery of the Association might be returned to the men who originally organized it.

As a recognition of the broad lines adopted and the generous purposes for the future the Board of Directors elected in their places for the remainder of the term of three years, the following officers: General James A. Ryan,

�� �