The Washington herald., 1918-12-18
URGES INQUIRY
FOR BUREAU OF
WAR RISK PAY
Representative McFadden
! Charges U. S. Failed on
Soldiers Insurance.
CITES GROSS INJUSTICE
No Cash Paid Out, Many
Complain; Expect Probe
Bill to Pass.

Responsibility will be fixed by Con-
gress for the hardships which have
been inflicted upon soldiers depend
ents as the result of the alleged gross
inefticiency'' of the War Risk Insur-
ance Bureau IL the House adopts a
resolution introduced by Representa-
tive Louis T. McF'adden. Republican,
OF Pennsylvania
Mr.. McFadden's move for a special
Investigation follows a series of bitter
attacks on the bureau by both Demo
Gratis and Republicans during the past
week. II has been charged that
fathers and mothers and wives and
children of soldiers in many cases
!. have become objects of charity be-
cause Of the bureaus failure to pay
>allotments made by the soldiers.
Numerous instances were cited where
In no allotment had been paid for
several months. although the money
had been taken out of the soldiers
pay.
Calls for Investigation.
It was the general impression among
members OF the House yesterday that
the inquiry would be ordered.
Representative McFadden's resolu.
ton follows:
Whereas many members Of Con-
gress have been informed by de-
pendents, wives, fathers and mothers
Of soldiers, sailors and Marines OF
the inefficiency of the Bureau of War
Risk Insurance, and the failure OF
the said bureau to carry out the pur-
pose and intent of Congress as ex-
pressed in the act creating the mill
taTy and naval branch thereof: there
fore be it
Resolved. That the Speaker Of the
House is hereby authorized to ap-
point a select committe of nine MEM
bers Of the House whose duty II
should be to make a thorough inquiry
INTO the affairs of the Bureau of War
Risk Insurance and the administra-
ton Of the soldiers insurance. COM
pensation and allotments laws. and
10 report its conclusions and recon-
neRdations to the House not later
: han January Is. 1913 said commit
persons and papsrs, administer oaths
70 witnesses and to employ clerical
md other necessary assistance"
The resolution was referred to the
Rules Committee. which will be urged
% consider it at an early date.
Letters in Waste Basket.
One Of the most scathing denun-
cations Of the bureau was made by
Representative William W. Rucker
Democrat, Of Missouri. He stated
hat he had proof that thousands
,f letters to the bureau regarding al
otments, etc, were dumped into
waste baskets, and when some clerks
Ttarted to examine others they were
old by higher officials not to bother
With them. because 1t made too much
work.
Another bitter attack on the Bureau
Gharged that they used secret inspec,
sors and cut OF allotments on their re-
ports. Representative Frederick W
0aIlinger RepublicanS Of Massachu.
etts told OF three instances in which
Ilotments had been cut Off from aged
men and women because they owned
Iouses. Mr.. Dallinger made the point
hat in each case the house was heav'
Iy u1ortgaged and these persons were
deprived Of their means of support
when their sons were taken into the
pilitary service.
A sailor returned to his home or
nrlough after twelve months service
m a battIeshIp in the North Sea tc
Ind that his wife and children haC
rot received a cent from the Govern
nent. despite the fact that the money
rad been taken out of his pay evei
tnce he had made the allotment.