THE INTERCOLLEGIATE INTELLIGENCE BUREAU IN 1918

Since February, 1917, nearly one hundred and fifty colleges, technical schools and universities organized as the Intercollegiate Intelligence Bureau have been giving special aid to the country in its greatest crisis. Brought into existence almost at the direct request of the Secretaries of War and the Navy, the Bureau has been warmly received and greatly used by Government Departments. About four thousand men of specialized training have been placed at important war work on the request of Government officers for men having a variety of training and experience. In a number of cases the Bureau served when other sources' had failed. The method used was to have an adjutant and committee appointed at each educational institution which would organize as a co-operative unit of the Bureau. Through questionnaires and otherwise, the adjutants kept on file accurate and adequate information of students and alumni so that the calls from the Washington Office of the Bureau could be answered, by sending names of men who were fit and who could serve the Government. Success has been brought by the adjutants. Those institutions which have helped most, and in turn have been strengthened most, have their adjutants to thank. The extensive work of the Washington Office was made possible, by devoted young volunteers from a dozen colleges, who gave their time and expenses while carrying the Bureau into Government Departments. After a while, city committees of college men were organized, because of the large number of desirable and available men in the cities.

If there were space it would be interesting to describe in detail some of our adventures ; the strenuous days of the draft; how in response to a hurry call on Friday, we had men on the dock on Monday, ready to sail; how, when a call was cancelled, — imperatively and urgently made the day before, — we had to be sorry that a dozen men were on the cars and could not be stopped, so prompt had been the response of our adjutants.

The past is encouraging but the future is larger and broader. Calls from the Government, — very important ones, — continue to come in and this primary work will go on. Industrial and commercial establishments are calling for help and their necessities are hardly secondary to those of the Government. Colleges and universities want more and more specialized information about Government departments and their activities. College presidents and other officers ask us to attend to small tasks in Washington.

A month ago several persons said, "How about helping the boys get back into business when they come home?" "Why does not the Bureau undertake this?" Arrangements have been made with the American University Union of Europe to do this great task jointly. The Union offices in Europe will be those of the Bureau and the Bureau offices here will be those of the Union. The Union will register men who are about to come home, as much in advance as possible, and will send their qualifications, and desires for the future, to the Bureau here, which will try to have a place for them when they arrive. The Bureau will be ready to steer those who have been, severely injured and may have to adopt new activities. The men will come back to a different country from the one they left, and it will be the work of the Bureau to make them acquainted with the new conditions and help them to get a good and prompt start at rebuilding.

Some time ago it was suggested by prominent college men that the Bureau should look forward to a permanent existence as the co-ordinating organization for all college employment bureaus. This may be expected, but can be given only a passing thought at present.

For all this activity a larger organization has been planned. The Executive Committee has been increased to give a broader representation and future support.

Miss Louise Sheppard of Vassar comes to the Washington Office to organize an adequate response to the demand for college women which is increasing in extent and importance.

A Division of Information will supply special information which may be asked for by college officers. It will mail a weekly letter which will put college officers everywhere in close and immediate contact with whatever development has occurred which would seem of importance in the planning of college activities during and after the war.

A larger Division of Service Calls will keep a close relation with the personnel needs of Government Departments, and of private business serving the Government and transmit them to the adjutant.

A Division of Records and Organization will serve the adjutants in the colleges and cities so as to make their work more effective. It will also plan to follow up all recommendations, recording, and reporting to the adjutant, acceptances and rejections.

The two latter divisions will jointly handle the cases of returning collegiate soldiers, and attend to other business, from the American University Union in Europe. To assist this work plans are under way to have a New York Office of call for the convenience of the men when they land.

Money is necessary and there has been no hesitancy in asking for it. The work is for the Government, for the colleges and for college men. The men who have offered themselves for their country have a right to expect help in making up for the time lost, by getting re-established in industry at the earliest possible moment. The budget of the Bureau, in addition to a large amount of volunteer helD, is $2,000 per month.

Any college, university or technical school may become a member of the Bureau by paying $50, $150, or $250, each institution deciding for itself which of the three amounts is proper. The money may be paid directly by the institution or by some of its friends, but can be received only with the consent of its president.

The Bureau invites all college men to call at the Washington Office, which is now in the Munsey Building. It is not an employment bureau, however, and places applicants only on the recommendation of adjutants. Nevertheless, it is glad to give suggestions and information which may be of interest to college men and women.

The Bureau needs a certain amount of volunteer help of a very high class. It cannot possibly pay any of its workers adequately, but the work is wonderfully interesting and gives most valuable experience.

William McClellanDean of the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania