New-York tribune., 1921-01-11
Harding Learns
10000 Hurt i'm
W ar Need Help
Legion Commander i'm Con-
ference With Next Presi-
dent Finds New Admins
,ration Will Aid Men
Charge of Neglect Heard
Col. Calbraith Reports Fail
ure to Make AdequateP Pro-
vision Pledged to Troops

MARION, Ohio, Jan. 10.-President-
elect Warren G. Harding occupied him
self to-day with the distressing situa-
ton growing out of governmental
neglect of 10000 soldiers who are still
in hospitals. Colonel F. W. Galbraith
IT., national commander of the Amer
lean Legion. presented to Mr.. Har-
ding copy of the memorial the Legion
;s presenting to the government and
without difficulty enlisted him in the
movement to improve the plight Of dis
abled lighters.
Colonel Galbraith shocked the Presl-
dent-elect with tragic stories Of some
quartered in unfit institutions, and with
the additional information that each
month sees the total IN hospitals in
creased by $500. These are victims
of poison gas, who are developing
tuberculosis at an alarming rate.
In Mr.. Harding the Legion COM
mander found a sympathetic listener
and one who was in accord with him
when he said that the governmental
agencies for providing medical treat
ment, vocational training and financial
assistance should be grouped under.
one head. It is also understood that
Colonel Galbraith received assurance
that the incoming Administration would
fight any effort to bring about ma
tional economy at the expense of the
disabled soldiers.
Pledge Unredeemed
"The present Administration" said
Colonel Galbraith, "has failed COM
pletely to meet the tremendous de-
mands that are presented by the dis
abled soldiers of the World War. Why
it has so completely failed is, perhaps,
not important, but it is fact. We ex-
pect the incoming Administration to
and to redeem the national pledge to
these men.
There are now about 81 900 Of these
men in hospitals. There are other
thousands who ought to be, but are
not, because OF the breakdown of the
entire system. From the time we en-
tered the war the government never
realized at all the need of an adequate
hospital service to care for the dere-
licts made so by the war. Men came
back wounded, disabled, broken in
ucdttH anu WcEC put luLO temporary
hospitals. The army was demobilized
and men discharged and sent home.
There by thousands they broke down
and became incapable of supporting
themselves OR their dependents Now
they must be sought out among the
body Of the public wherever they are.
most conservative estimate prepared
after survey has shown that at least
IL 900 men who ought to be in hos
pitfalls, cared for by the government
and receiving compensation are not
having anything done for them. My
own judgment is that if we knew all
the facts that figure would be 10000.
Relief Needed for $4,000
The bureaus that serve the disabled
Msn ak for appropriations of s323,-
100000 fer their work. The sundrv
civil bill carrying these appropriations
was cut by S104,000 900 in the House.
Last year appropriations were based on
an average Of $4,000 men in the hos
pitals. This year there will be at least
so'ooo men in the hospitals, and yet the
amount allotted to this service is
szs 200 600 less than last year
III Congress makes the horrible mis-
taKe OF trying 20 economic in this di-
lsstion 1t will bring a disgrace upon the
hatlon that will make US all ashamed as
Iohg as We live. The unfortunate men,
Tao ought 10 be in properly equipped
hospitals getting the best attention and
nho"ihg that their dependents are be-
tas provided for, are to-day, by hun
eseas and thousands in poorhouses
aan JAMS and insane asylums."
ine Mexican problem will be in the
forefront in Mr.. Harding's thoughts
io1 the next few days. He will hold
.sa .sn'erences nsces relating to the desire Of
.ae ocregon government for recogni-
ton: One of the conferees will be
Il; U: Creager, of Brownsville. Tex,
.no is understood to be an aspirant
ios 'ne Mexico City ambassadorehip.
Hardings Host on Trip
ar Creager, as leading member Of
tae Texas delegation at the Chicago
convention, seconded the nomination
o. Senator Harding. Creager was SEN
a.or harding's host at Point Isabel and
brownsville, Tex, and, with his wife,
accompanied tn, Hardings to Panama.
ne mas an intimate knowledge of the
saases of border friction and Mexico's
internal politics and an excellent com
nand OF Spanish
William G. Sharp, Of Elyria, Ohio,
iol hve years Ambassador to France,
.neiuding most of the period of the war
'ook luncheon with Nj. Harding to-day
ana discussed the European situation.
Ar. Sharp, after the conference, said
ssas ne had expressed hopes to Mr.
n1feing that some steps would be
ssAen toward disarmament, and that
nf. harding had indicated this wonld
~ one Of the matters to be taken up
" the proposed new concert of ma