The Washington times., 1920-12-29


existing bureaus. in 80 far as that
personnel Is now dealing with soldier
problems. Is transferred TO the new
bureau.
This last statement is subject TO
one important qualification. COmm,s-
STONED personnel OF the Public Health
Service Is not transferred. but Is TO he
detailed TO the bureau OF veteran re-
establishment by the surgeon general.
in such numbers as are necessary.
In order TO utilize the experience
OF the Public Health Service IN these
matters Its surgeon general Is placed
In charge OF the physical examlna-
ton, disqualification. etc, OF the bene-
ficiaries OF the act. But in order to
avoid any possibility of overlapping
or conflict IL is specifically provided
that the surgeon general when lie
performs these functions shall do 80
under the direction OF the director or
the Bureau OF Veteran Re-establlsh-
ment.
The bill provides that all hospital
facilities owned by any branches OF
the United States Government shall
so far as practicable, be utilized for
the patients OF the new bureau. But
II these facilities are not sufficient
or adequate the director IL given
broad powers to procure such other
facilities as may be necessary
DIRECTOR SUPREME.
Up to this point the bill is intended
to remove the existing lack OF CO.
ordination. The new bureau viii be
all powerful and--what IL quite az
important-all responsible. 4 he di-
rector, subject only to the general d.
rection of the Secretary OF the In
terror, will be in supreme command.
lie can give orders and see TO 1t that
his orders are obeyed. Nobody here
after can pass the buck"
Under present conditions let us
suppose that Private Jones of Wor-
cester applied for compensation to
the War Risk Bureau In Washing on.
The War Risk Bureau there asks the
Public Health Service in Boston to
have the man physically examined.
The Public Health supervisor ar
ranges with "A doctor in Worcester to
conduct the examination.
In course of time 90 the cXamina-
ton is made and the Worcester doctor
reports to the public health SUPER
visor in Boston. Then the pub ic
health supervisor is expected to not fy
the War Risk Bureau In Washington
SO that the latter may make an award
If the facts warrant it. In all these
lays. MISUNDERSTANDING loss Of "a
pers, etc.
Time and again when ! have been
seeking to expedite these processes in
behalf of Il stricken veteran the War
Risk Bureau has notified me that ii
had "rcquested' the proper public
health supervisor for medical re-
port
Think of IL! lie nm only "rcquest."
We want no more Of amy such folly liz
this. We want somebody able to
order and put his orders across. We
want someone whom we can hold In
diNIdunIiy responsible IL things go
wrong. The director of the new bu-
reau would he that one person.
| will not take the time TO cite
other instances where lack of Co-Or-
dination among the existing Govern
ment bureaus wears out the heart of
the suffering soldier and sailor. Any
one who has had dealings with the
Government in behalf of the veterans
can supply the details and ill in The
picture.
SO much, then, for the urgent need
for consolidation. But if we left the
matter here and required the great
central office in Washington to be
tn" clearing house for every conceiv-
able case we should have top-hcavy
and unwicldy structure. The degree
of Improvement would be problematic.
Decentra liZation, then. is quite as i'm
portant as consolidation.
Th" true remedy is consolidation at
the top. decentralization in the field
The bill provides that the director
shall establish central office IN
Washington and sub-Offices at such
places as are necessary TO carry out
the purpose OF the act. Sub-offiCcS
may exercise all the powers. if dee
gated to them by the dire ctor, which
could lawfully be performed by the
central office itself.
My belief is that considerable
number of regional offices viii be
established throughout the United
States each with broad