Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-28
UNF0[OS PLAN
AFTER MEETING
EASTER SUNDAY
|Confers With Head Of
Legion; Dawes, Roose-
velt and Pershing.
Vocational Training
Board Has Program
to Improve System.

Washington, March 27.-President
Harding decided Sunday to have an
exhaustive investigation made OF the
manner in which the government IS
caring for disabled war veterans. With
in few days, it was announced, ne
will select a special committee to con-
duct the inquiry.
The president, it was said. is de-
termined to lay the whole situation
frankly before congress and the coun-
try for the purpose of correcting any
abuses that may have developed. The
Investigators will be instructed to rec
ommend legislation that may be neces-
sary to remedy the situation.
Decision to inaugurate an inquiry
was reached by the president after he
had conferred with Charles u. Dawes
Chicago, who served in France as
brigadier general in charge OF the
division of procurement of supplies;
r. w. Galbraith, national commander
Of the American Legion; Thomas W.
Miller. custodian, and former over
seas flier: Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt of the navy department, and his
personal physician, Brigader General
C. f. Sawyer, who is conducting sur
yey of the governments public welfare
agencies.
Meet With Pershing.
All had luncheon at the White House
and discussed in detail with the presl-
dent. the soldier relief problem. Later
they went over the situation with Cen
eral Pershing at his home here. 1t
was indicated that no time would be
lost in getting the inquiry under way
The president has been giving the
war veterans great attention and is
anxious to have the service improved.
Numerous suggestions have been offer
ed him. chief among them the Amer
lean Legion plan Of placing all govern
ment agencies, dealing with service
men, in one bureau.
The feasibility of this proposal as
we'll as the grounds for numerous com
plants that disabled men either have
been denied government aid. or have
been improperly cared for after enter
ing government hospitals. will be de-
termined during the investigation.
On Vocational Training.
Thorough investigation Of the entire
system Of vocational training allow
ances to disabled war veterans is to
be made by the vocational training
board Pending the exhaustive in-
quiry and study" proposed, Secretary
| Wallace, of the department OF agrlcul-
ture, a member of the board, in
statement Sunday night indicated that
the boards ruling fixing a maximum
Of $1,000 annually on payments to men
receiving vocational training would
stand. This ruling is under fire from
ko ou1 n+hor 10
ans organizations.
"The new members of the boarl.'
said Secretary Wallace. whose state
ment. it was understood had the ap
proval of Secretary Hoover, of the de-
partment of commerce. another board
member. "have the feeling that the
whole basis of vocational training
allowances requires exhaustive study
in the interest both of the men and
the public treasury.
Board Is Sympathetic.
ut is the expectation of the mem
bers of the board that the study of
the whole matter will require some
little time. Pending thorough inves
tigation. the new members of the
board have not expressed an opinion
on the matter now being agitated
Inc VI Jue eUIIIc DOuIu Is
one Of intense sympathy to the needs
of the men and it is the wish of every
member that the money provided be
disbursed in the fastest and most help.
full way possible
The boards decision limiting voca-
tional allowances to $1,000, Secretary
Wallace's statement said,- was made
during the preceding administration
nfter careful study. it was presumed
The new members" he added.
were not disposed to overturn the rul-
ing of the old board until they had
opportunity. to look into the matter
fully.
"If ultimately it shall be deter
mined to modify the ruling Of the old
board. the action can be made retro-
active as to allowances"
Some Getting $4,000.
Secretary Wallace explained that
the $1,000 limit ruling affects about
one hundred or more men in govern
ment departments, who, with vocation
al training allowances, receive up to
$4,000 a year from the government,
1t was this situation that the former
board dealt with in its order made
effective April !.
That there now are 17,147 receiving
vocational allowances against 46.
six MONKS ago was stated by Secretar,
Wallace