The Var Lepartment, propaganda through te explain what through press the Public releases Government Bureau to overcome was gaining issued positive. these prejudices from quartering and | Italian “Italian Units Contribute to Victory: Excerpts from: Units. Relations "Coddling” of Prisoners Denied.” Substantial contribubione to tie Awerican war effort are being made throughout the United States by members of Italian Service Units who have volunteered for jobs in the war program, the War Department announced today. At present there are 164 of these units(35,000 men) ,lo~ cated at © statlons in various carts of the country(besides the 185, 2000 Prisoners of War). installations, The men work at general depots, porte of eabarkation, and Army posts, arsenals and ordnanc casips and stations. The work 1s essential war work, such as loading or wiloading saeene and railroad cars, handling of equipment and salvage, crating, repairing or processing vehicles and other military equipment. “here necbers of the units possess valuable mechanical skills, these are utilized. The only reward received by members of the service wits for their contribution to the American war effort, aside from wages at the regular| rate provided for ail prisoners of war, is additional freedom. This takes the form of sighseeing or educational tours and recreational visits to nearby communities, under American military supervision. They are worked, fed and housed in strict compliance with the rules prescribed in the Geneva Convention. These prisoners are used to al~ jeviate labor. United the manpower shortage, but not in competition with civilian ‘hen a civilian hires prisoner-of-war labor, he pays Into the States Treasury the same amount of money per unit of work he | would pay | otherwise to civilian workers. Prisonapoatouer labor has put $6,000,000 into the Treasury to date, and existing contracts will add a further $15,000,000, 20 Studies within the UASF Depot indicate that the italian Service Units feel that since they have joined the American Army, at least in theory, they should be accorded the same rights and privileges as the American troops. way in this regard, Since it has act been the sorale thought desirable to go the of the Italians continues to be adversely affected. a full | ™ Var Department. 31 July 1944. Bureau of Public Relations. =5— Press Rranci —