Arizona republican., 1921-01-13
National NeaIeet

The American Legion has presented to the rr~sdsut the presidant-eoct and, through them, to the American people formal memorial directing att te-,on To the suffering. the shameful neglect and injustice which the legion asserts marks the admin israuon or the affairs of disabled veterans of the world War.
 This is a matter of most vital interest to every American Immediate attention is necessary Some thing. and that wholly adequate and just, must be done now Not tomorrow, but today Altogether too much time already has been lost. Dying men cannot be saved after the last breath has departed from their bodies; strewing flowers graves does erase the stain of shameful neglect and injustice
 Thousands of disabled veterans, according to the American Legion memorial waiting and have waited for compensation for their injuries. Thousands have waited for months for an oppor- ,unity Co re-establish themselves self sustaining members of society by vocational training. Thous- ands are in need of hospitalzation and the govern nent has no hospital facilities available for them"
 What better evidence of "suffering, shameful neglect, and injustice?"
 The legion continues
 "AffHoted and pennress veterans have been driven to refuge in almshouses and jails.'
 Is that the way we treat the flower of American manhood" after it has returned disabled from the bsttlencids and longer is needed to guard lives ana homes? The legion furnishes the proof that such Is the treatment
 Many have died" continues the memorial. "and if immediate relief is not forthcoming more will die. destitute. without proper medical without pensauon with which to obtain it. abandoned by the country they served"
 That Is our country the legion speaks of It is treatment of which they complain.
 The legion rightly complains because through legislative and administrative deficiencies provisions for the disabled havo failed to reach the vet suans in most urgent need of help The result has seen--
 Delays in awarding compensation
 Unfit and inadequate facilities for men in need of Republication.
 The failure. the legion sees 1t, may be traced to the separation of the three needs of the men: medical treatment, vocational training and financial support The public health service control the first the federal board for vocational education and he bureau of risk insurance have the other two. There is much delay and considerable friction occa- stoned by thus dividing the rehabnitating service among three distinct organizations. It not the eff ncient way of doing It, It multipnes red tape and expense
 The legion advises:
 The functions of training treatment and com pcnsation must be combined. The disabled man has a right Co deal with agency, which shall take of his physical vocational and financial restora ton. The bureau of risk insurance, the federal board for vocational educaton and the public health service (as far 1t has to with disabled veter- aus). must be co-ordnated all three placed under common control"
 Blls providing for these reforms have been intro duccd in both houses of congress. No other proposed iegisauou is of greator importance and none other stands in greater need for the immediate attention of Inc members.
 Upon every American rests the duty of urging legislation to end-at once-the suffering the shameful neglect and injustice of which the Amer ican Legion oomplains in it's memorial