The Washington herald., 1921-05-06
HARDING PLEDGES
PROMPT AID FOR
WOUNDED YANKS
Tells Walter Reed Boys
He Will Speed Laws
NJ.
For Relief. "

President Harding voiced his de-
termination that everything posi-
BILE shall be done for disabled vet
erans Of the war when he visited
Walter Reed Hospital late yester-
day.
He told his audience, which in
cluded men who have been under
care for more than two and a half
years, that the nation will never
forget the sacrifices that have been
made. and will see to IL that vic
Tins OF the war will never want
for anything that can be done for
them.
Was Alabama Day.
1t was Alabama day at the hos
pitaI and the Alabama State Society
of Washington had an all-day en-
tertainment for the soldiers. The
President, with Mrs. Harding and
Attorney General Daugherty mo-
tored out at dusk.
The arrival of the executive
party was greeted with lusty
cheers.
After the President spoke, he
walked among the men and shook
hands. He had a smile and a CHEEKY
word for each, as did Mrs. Harding
Sometimes. though, the President
didn't smile-when he encountered
a wan and manned soldier in a
wheelchair. He inquired specifically
about the cases of many of these.
Bust OF President.
Sam Garimini. of. Brooklyn. pri-
vate. had a presetn for the Presi-
dent. II was a plaster bust of Mr..
Harding he had made himself. The
President thanked him for it and
complimented him on his work.
Garimini has only one leg and
spends his time in a wheel chair,
This will be one of my most val
ued possessions" the President said.
How may l remember your
Il am Private Sam Garimini, of
Brooklyn" the soldier replied. Il
made this plaque of you and for
you with my own hands. 1t took me
two months to do it. but after hear
ing you speak today, I know 1t was
worth it"
Another soldier. whose left hano
was shot away and his left arm
outstretched in a brace. offered his
right hand to the President and.
prinninE broadly. said. I'm mighty
glad they left me with one, any
way" ,.
darkened an instant as he rephed
rather grimly, so am 1 mighty
glad"
Promises to Help.
'T wish I knew how ii were pos
sible. by the wave OF some ma
sician's wand. to restore you men
to what you were before you went
into battle" said Mr.. Harding. But
that Is not possible. The next best
thing this republic can do is to
make your lives as happy and COM
Portable as possible. want Amer
lea to do that II will not fail. II
is in the heart OF Congress and
the Executive. and more. in the
heart Of the nation. You men have
made the greatest contribution hu-
man beings can make"
The talk Of Alabama led the
President to recall that a division
from his own State OF Ohio had
trained there, and he told how he
believed the war had wiped out all
that remained OF sectionalism.
I'VE are all one people, with the
same aspirations" the President de-
clare6," the same desires for the
commonwealth. In the more than
| half a century that has followed the
Civil War, the wounds of that con-
flict have healed. And il ever a
scar remained, you grsndsons Of the
men who went to war in 81 nave
wiped it out. There is no sectional
ism any more"
The President said he took prida
| IN the fact that it was a president
from his own state-William Nc
Kinley-who during the war with
Spain, had led a people at last
united. under the nag.
The President told. too, Of his love
for America.
"I share with you" said he. "a
love for this republic Of ours. Se-
Iieve that under therinspiration ot
the founding fathers We have fash
ioned the most righteous and de-
pendabIe government the world has
ever seen"
Pledges Opportunity.
The President spoke of "democ-
racy of opportunity" Wounded
men. he pledged, would have them
selves restored so that nothing OF
their opportunity should be lost ts
| them.
Senator Underwood. of Alabama
introduced the President.
AS the President and Mrs. Hard
ing neared the door after bidding
the soldiers goodbye, the Presidents
attention was caught by two little
girls. about 5 years old, who were
costumed as moths for the ,playlet
which the Alabama Society latel
presented. The President stopped
and, almost kneeling, deposited 1
kiss on each of the two upturned
faces. Strengthening up, he turned
once more to the soldiers and, wav.
| ing a Anal fareWAll. disanneareS