The New York herald., 1921-04-24
INSANE SOLDIERS
WANDER STREETS
Others Mentally Deficient
Hidden in Homes, Legion
is Informed.

That hundreds OF insane soldiers are
wandering the streets or New York
city helpless and alone and that others
equally as deficient mentally are be-
ing hidden away In their homes was
the statement made yesterday in an
informal report to the American
Legion's national commander. L. w.
Galbraith, Jr.. BY Col. Cornelius w.
Wickersham. chairman or the Leglon's
investigating committee. which has been
looking into the conditions surround
ing these men. Col. Wickersham says
that these insane veterans are not only
a menace to themselves but to the
community. and that something must
; be done promptly toward alleviating
their condition.
The Legion's investigation shows that
the insane are increasing in New York
State at the rate of between $50 and
800 month. The situation with re-
gard to tubercular patients is equally
as bad. according to Col. Wickersham'
report.
This informal report on conditions In
/. New York city and State was made
at the request of Commander Galbraith,
who is getting behind national drive
to hasten through Congress the remedial
legislation recommended by President
Harding's committee, which was headed
by Brig Gen. Charles G. Dawes. Ac-
cording to Col. Wickersham. the Legion
nationally and by States does not in
tend to remain satisfied until new
Government department to look after
these men is created and functionlng
properly.
The Federal Government has provided
only 1T beds in Federal hospitals in
this State for the mentally deficient and
759 beds in the State hospitals. In none
Of these institutions is any ex-sodier
being given any treatment whatever
looking toward the relief OF his ailment
because of the unusually crowded con-
ditions of the hospitals in which they
are located. While there Is no way to
determine the exact number OF insane
veterans in New York city without hos
pitalization. members Of the Legion's
committee have every reason to believe
that 1t is extremely large because SO
many parents and guardians or insane
men have appeared before the committee
privately urging that something be done
to hasten relief.
The following is the latest report on
Decentralization Of sick, wounded and dis
abled men, New York State furnished
Is per cent. Of the participants In the
world war Therefore 10 per cent. OF
the figures given below will give some
idea as to the situation right in the
members of the committee:
Number OF physical examinations for
disability up to April 1..... ........ Ilbooz
Number OF men given some hospital -.
care or treatment to April 1...... llS,boo
Number of disabled men In hospital
April ................-....... Io,V4o
These are classified as follows:
In Government In contract
hospitals institutions.
Nouro-nsvctiatric 34f2 3,374
Tuncrcnlar 655I 1886
Medical and surgical 5s42 1880
Totals . 15.so5 9,24o
Number of men in Government hos
pitfalls which have been deemed un-
suitable ..................... iHuou
Number OF new hospital beds urgently
needed to care for disabled men now
In unsuitable Government hospitals
and in private hospitals and asy-
Number OF men at home suffering from
tuberculosis mental disease for
whom suitable hospital accommoda-
tons are not now available. ......... q
II is estimated that the peak of neces-
sity for hospital beds will be reached in
1927, when from $4,000 to $4,000 men
will need hospital accommodations.
The next hearing of the investigating
committee will take place In the Fox
Hills Hospital. Staten Island. Tuesday
afternoon at o'clock. In view of the
fact that the Legion's committee has
severely arraigned this hospital the
meeting promises to be of more than
usual interest.