The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-21


by which these obstacles could be sur
mounted. Correspondence had proved
utterly inefficient. Delegation of the
duty of reaching the ex-service men
through local volunteer organizations
had proved just as unsatisfactory
There was no way left to reach the
soldier in need of aid, except. through
direct contact with the bureau.
The expense and trouble of having
the soldier come to the bureau obvi-
ously made that method out of the
question. So the mountain not coming
Ito Mahommed, Mahommed went to the
mountain. The bureau decided to send
out its representatives to seek out the
soldier, get his facts and figures from
him at first hand, and thus obtain
quick and satisfactory results.
On this theory the. cleanup cam
paign was inauguarted by the bureau
of war risk insurance and the bureau
for vocational education. First the
services of the American Red Cross
and the American Legion were en-
listed and through these great ma
tional organizations, the services OF
their thousands of local chapters and
posts.
A squad Of experts was then provid-
ed for each state. On this squad are ex-
perts on all the provisions of the war
risk insurance and rehabilitation acts,
men who make it their business to
know the channels through which i'm
mediate adjustment of monetary COM
pensation claims. claims for medical
treatment, for dental treatment, for
hospitalization. for those educational
advantages which will convert the
helpless veteran into productive cit
izen.
Zach state was then subdivided and
a squad headquarters established in
from 20 to 80 centers SO that every
county or parish could be within easy
access of one of the headquarters.
This work done, the various agencies
at work began to shell the woods to
inform the veterans that the cleanup
squad was coming to their very door
steps to settle their affairs. This work
Is largely done through local Red
Cross chapters and American Legion
posts, with the cooperation of the
postoffice department, the press and
the clergy.
An advance party was sent out
ahead of the squads. This party made
it particular business to see that
every veteran was reached, and to
claim that claim would be put in
shape for him mad rushed to salts
factory conclusion, and if he thought
he might have claim there were ex-
perts along to pass on 1t right at
home, avoiding the necessity for
lengthy and nerve-trying correspon-
dence.
Tennessee was the first state In the
south to be reached by a squad and
Knoxville was the first city of impor-
lance in which the squad operated. The
day the squad opened for business,
success of the work was assured. Vet
Grams had poured In from six counties.
Disabled ones were provided with
transportation and meals and lodging
during their stay at headquarters.
Offices were established in the Uni,
ted States district court room and
when the doors were opened the hall
was filled with veterans in few min
utes.
There was little lost motion. The
veterans brought along their dis
charges. The experts We're able to pro-
vide all the rest of the information
necessary. And when the veterans de-
parted, they departed with the feeling
that at last their long awaited claims
were in hands that would provide ac-
ton.
Almost simultaneously the work has
been inaugurated in every section of
the south and in practically every To-
cality the experience of Knoxville has
been duplicated.
I talked with one veteran, who
seemed to size up the situation in a
sentence. Il came here on one leg and
feel like I'm going back with two"
was his description. He had spent ex-
actly one-haif hour at headquarters.
In that time his claim had been passed
on by an eligibility officer and prop
erly filed out and authenticated. was
sent speeding to washington to put
him on his feet again.