Norwich bulletin., 1918-09-03
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Special to The Bulletin.)

Washington. D. C., Sept. 2.-Out at
 the great Walter Reed hospital in the
 heights just beyond the city, the ques-
 ton of how to care for convalesant
 soldiers is being met in a practical
 and efficient way. The Red Cross be-
 gan the work of a home for such men. where they could enjoy cer-
 tain amount of comfort and ease
 while while getting accustomed to life
 with only one arm or one leg, or per
 haps learning to look on the world through some other sense than sight. How to care for such men before they are well enough to come in for
 share of the proposed rehabilitation act of congress is big question, and one which is now being met by indiv- ual hospitals and private enterprises but congress will soon be asked to take a hand in the matter, if secre- tary of the interior, Lane, has his way. The Lane plan has already been put into effect in a small way out at the Walter Reed, which is the official hos pital for the army and navy and where there are 1900 beds. many of | them now given over to the use of wounded soldiers from overseas. The employees of the interior department,
 at the suggestion of the secretary,
 make small subscriptions for home and the result was so satisfactory
 that in a twinkiing a house was
 bought close to the hospital, and even
 now is serving it's purpose in addi- 1 ton to the regular convaleSants $
 home owned by tke hospital. The Lane l idea goes further, however. and 1t is
 the purpose of the secretary to have i congress make. available to returning soldiers. unused and unimproved canes of the United States. This vould not only so the secretary be- | lieves give the men a chance to get well and to support themselves and | their families, but it would also clear and cultivate lands which otherwise would be merely waste lands. it IS
 quite probable that congress will ap- prove and something be done to bring l such back to- the farm life within the
 reach of returning soldiers. Senator Weeks advocated such a measure last winter. and the sentiment seems quite general in it's favor now. Moreover other private homes, founded as a pa triotic privilege, like the one near the homes founded IS a patriotic priTi- lege. like the one near the Reed hos pital. are likely to spring up all over the country, either by gift of the veal thy or. by small subscriptions as was the case here.
 "I believe, if Congressman John c TiIIson, of Connecticut. should ask the
 war department for men fifteen fee'
 high, so he could make a practica !, den.Snstration of some war time need
 the department would regard it as 2
 acquisition. and TiIson would be able to put giants in the front row of th' house gallery within an hour" sait
 one of the military committee a da!
 or two ago. ''He has the confidence c the department and ho deserves it
 Tilson has devoted himself to war } time measures and has pushed ant
 ipulled with all his might to get al $ win the war measures through tn f house. But what 1 had specially il , mind is his adeptness in bringing GU facts before the house in a way tha be understood When the question 0 gas masks was up for an appropria tion, it was Tilson who got three ga f mask experts up from the war de q partment and stood them in the iron