The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-12-08
FORMER SERVICE men
IN PRESENT CONGRESS
IMPATIENT AT DELAY
The Palladium News Bureau,
208 House office Building.


WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. S.-For-
mer service men in the Sixth congress
sional district of Indiana are entering
numerous complaints over delays ex-
perienced in having their claims for
compensation acted upon by the Bu-
reau of War Risk Insurance.
1t is stated, however, that idissatis-
faction with the methods of the War
Risk Insurance bureau is general
throughout the country and members
of congress realize that one of the
most important problems they are now
confronted with is a reconstruction OF
that bureau so that it will function
properly.
A flood of complaints has been turn
cd loose upon the bureau in the past
few days by members of congress re-
turning to Washington for the reopen
ing of congress. These complaints
were principally against long delays in
the constellation of claims for compen-
sation and against disability classifi-
cations given in compensation awards.
Complaint From Richmond
Among the complaints submitted to
Representative Richard N. Elliott of
Indiana to be filed with the bureau is
one that involves the case of a for
mer soldier living in Richmond, Ind,
who is now unable to do any work be-
cause he is suffering from tubercular
peritonitis and who has been awarded
only $18 month compensation not
withstanding the fact he is married.
Reconsideration of disability has
been asked for another Richmond SER
vice man. who has been unable to
work for several months because of a
dilated heart and who now receives
only $3.50 month compensation, al
though he is married and has a wife
and baby to support. This small award
was granted to him several months
after his claim for compensation had
been filed.
Soldier Suffers
The American Legion Post in Rich
mond has called attention to the case
of another former service man suffer
ing from tuberculosis and said to be
unable to do any work who is receiv-
ing only $235O a month, on which he
is expected to support himself, his
wife and child. 1t is stated that the
Red Cross has been obliged to assist
this man from time to time
An opinion frequently expressed in
Washington is that the system under
which the bureau of War Risk Insur.
ance operates is too cumbersome ever
to accomplish satisfactory results.
Recommend Branches.
| 1t has been recommended that the
plan of having all compensation and
| insurance claims pass through a cen
| trail office in Washington be abandon.
ed and that regional branches for the
bureau be established Throughout the
country. It is contended. that under
such a system consideration of claims
would be facilitated and that the bu
reau would be better able to keep in
personal touch with former service
men.
1t is understood that after the first
OF next year both house and senate
| committees intend to make investiga
tions of the bureau for the purpose
OF formulating some plan for a com
plete reorganization.
American Legion Posts throughout
| the Sixth Indiana congressional dis.
| trlct have plainly indicated their dis
/ approval of the bureau as now organ
lied and operated.