Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-27
HOUSE FIGHTS
TOKEEP TAPE
IN SWEET BILL
Measure to Establish Veterans
Bureau Meets Another
Handicap in COnfab.

WASHINGTON, July 27.-The Sweet
bin to establish veterans bureau and
end the scandal Of Government neglect
Of disabled soldiers, is on the rocks again.
The confeTees appointed by the House
have assumed a hard boiled" attitude
toward all the Senate amendments and
are lighting every important change pro
posed by, the upper House to eliminate
red tape and Hberalize the treatment OF
crippled veterans.
A meeting. lasting until the early hours
today, failed to bring the cOnferees into
agreement. Another effort will be made
to get together. but indications are that
the Senate cOnferees must either surren-
der their amendments or risk still fur
Their delay in placing the bill on the
statute books.
DAWES PLAN
is CONTESTED.
The SmoOt amendment making the pro-
posed veterans bureau an independent
Institution responsible directly 10 the
President met with strong opposition
from the House, although It was espe-
cially urged by the Dawes commission
and BY various soldiers organizations
on the ground that it is necessary TO
eliminate red tape.
Another important amendment which
appears to invite the emphatic opposition
Of the House is the one sponsored by
Senator Walsh, Massachusetts, designed
TO afford more prompt and fair treatment
to veterans suffering from tuberculosis
and mental disorders.
Both of these amendments, as well as
numerous others Of less importance, were
adopted BY the Finance Committee, after
weeks of consideration, and were unani-
mousIy approved by the Senate.
The House conferees, however, hold ali
these changes to be unnecessary and as
serting their pride of authorship, are
demanding adoption Of the bill with
out the dotting OF an Il" or the cross
ing OF a It.
BLIND SOLDIERS
ARE AFFECTED.
As an example OF their unyielding at
titude, they forced the Senate 10 bow
TO the striking out Of an amendment in
crossing the allowance for attendance for
totally blinded soldiers from so 10 so
month. although the amendment was
placed in the bill by the Senate Finance
Committee at the urgent request OF
member Of the House. Representative
Hamilton Fish. New York.
The session Of the Conference Com
mittee developed heated exchanges be
tween Senator Walsh and DR.. Haven En-
erson. assistant director Of the War RISK
Insurance Bureau in charge OF the med
ical division.
DR.. Emerson supported the House con-
ferees in their opposition to the Walsh
amendment. which he declared would
make liars of physicians" The Walsh
amendment seeks to transfer from the
disabled veterans to the Government the
burden Of proof in establishing the origin
OF disability.
II would have the Government grant
compensation to disabled veterans SUI
ferIng from tuberculosis and mental dis
ease on the presumption that their dis
ability was contracted in line Of du.y.
Dr. Emerson, on the stand yesterday.
before the Senate Committee, admitted
having furnished President Harding
with the information that there was
surplus of GOOO beds available for dis
abled veterans. The committee mani
tested considerable impotence with this
statement in view Of the disclosures pre-
viously made.
Dr. Emerson finally agreed with DR..
C. II. Lavender Of the public health ssrv-
Ice. also before the committee. that there
were not enough beds available for Ger
tain classes Of patients at particular
times and in particular places.
You might have 1000 beds listed
as available but II they were not suit
able for the ases which needed stten-
tion they would be Of no value" DR..
Lavender said.
Surgeon General Cumming criticized
the Iamentable lack Of business effici-
ency" at the Speedway hospital in Chi
cago. He estimated the cost per bed at
the hospital would be $500 to $4,000. He
also complained Of the failure to provide
outside quarters for nurses and at
tendants
v,s-.-.--sr,1. o-5f+fo,s .r,o1r 6fsabIad
soldiers. due to inability to obtain proper
treatment from the Government. were
blamed directly on Congress however, by
Surgeon General Cummings.
He said the delay of Congress in sp-
propriating sufficient funds for the con-
struction OF necessary hospitals was pri-
narily responsible.
He also said that many sites for new
hospitals, provided by Congress in the
general appropriation bill last March
were " unsuitable" and this had impeded
the efforts to relieve.
gIowness Of supervising architects in
approving plans for new hospitals like
wise had been an obstacle. he asserted.
POLITICAL ANGLES
ARE DENOUNCED.
"No defense can be made Of Senators
and Representatives who put in a bin
for political purposes provisions requir-
ing sites totally unfit for the purpose, :"
Senator Walsh. Democrat. Massachusetts,.
said. commenting on the Surgeon Cen
erals testimony.
Criticism of the War Departments
policy OF dispOsing OF it's war hospitals
while the public health service was
securing the country for suitable hos
pitaIs which might have been utilized.
was voiced by Surgeon General Cum
ming He added that he had prevented
the 'scrapping' Of the hospital at Camp
Kearney. Cal, which now is being used
for tubercular and nervous patients.
One site provided for a hospital, the
surgeon general testified. was found to
be on the edge Of a swamp from which
clouds of mosquitoes arose This site.
he said, was near Norfolk. Va, and a
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