The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-04-07
DIRECTS DAWES
TO MAKE INQUIRY
President Demands Facts
in Regard to the Care of
Wounded Soldiers.
LOOKS INTO ABUSES
Chief Executive Declares Ma
ton Wants These Men Pro-
perly Cared For.
(By Associated Press Leased wire)

Washington.-Pre Harding to-
day asked his special commission,
headed by Charles G. Dawes of Chica-
go, to make "diligent inquiry" of gov
erRR0e nt department heads in an effort
to find out just where the government
agencies have been lacking in author
ity, neglectful or failing" in caring for
disabled service men. He also asked
that investigation be made of "the
abuses which have developed" The
presidents request was in the form Of
a statement. Mr.. Dawes announced the
presidents wishes would be carried out
to the letter and that the inquiry
would not be directed into controver-
sial or extended subjects.
Look Into Complaints.
81 have asked you TO meet and to
make an investigation into the admin
istration of the law for caring for the
crippled and injured soldiers of the
late World War;" the presidents state
ment said. There, have been numer-
Gus complaints that the government is
neglecting the becoming care Of these
sideration, and there is further com
plant that there is hardness in deal
ing with them and their claims which
grew out of their service. l should
like you to make diligent inquiry Of
department heads or WITH those asso-
clated with them, in an effort to find
out just where the government agen-
cies are in any way lacking in author
ity, neglectful or failing to carry out
what is the unouestioned intent of con-
gress in its enactment of laws and the
making of appropriations. There need
be no inquiry into the intent of the
government, because l think it is we'll
understood that every agency desires
to deal justly and generously with
those of it's defenders who were i'm
paired in the nations defense.
To Investigate Abuses.
Il think it would be we'll, while you
are making inquiry as to the failure
to care for these service men that you
also make inquiry into the abuses
which have developed and look care
fully into the regulations adopted so
that you may know their probable eff
feet in the future. 1t is we'll to realize
that the American people want to prove
the republics gratitude to these men.
The regulations adopted at this time
are likely to be in effect for a full half
century to come. In order to deal just
ly with these men and carry out per-
manent policy, it is exceedingly i'm
portant to start on a firm foundation.
have asked Brigadier- General Sawyer
to meet with your committee and make
available to youT such information as
you may desire which he has gathered
as the representative of the executive
in Investigating the relations of the
several departments of government
dealing with this problem. I do not
imagine your committee care to enter
into a widely extended taking of testi-
mony, but that you will be able to
gather from department heads and off,
Gals responsible for the service such
information as you may require to pass
judgment on the program adopted and
make recommendations as to our flu
ture course"
Deplorable Situation Exists.
Mr.. Dawes, who served during the
war as a brigadier- general in, charge of
the division Of procurement of supplies.
in France, told the commission today
that it was known that "a deplorable
situation exists" and that the president
and congress were anxious to remedy
it. "The condition exists" he declared
because of lack of coordination among
the agencies authorized by the law 20
care for the soldiers. Something must
be accomplished. We will find the rem
edy and stay in continuous session I'M
til we do. The men on the other side
worked day and night. This relates
to them. Let's cut out the dinners and
get down to definite work right now"
Mr.. Dawes said the commissions
hearings should be concluded by Satur-
day night and the commission then be-
gan its executive sessions to draft rec
concentrations for submission to the
president. After the first session. last
ing about two hours, Chairman Dawes
said the commission had obtained in
formation definitely establishing ex-
listing evils in administration of soldier
relief work and that further inquiry
into such phases of the problem would
be abandoned.