Evening journal., 1921-07-29
THE PITY OF 1T.

xorsrRrssrG facts have been uncovered by the Amer-
IL can Legion committee investigating public healtn
hospitals IN the vicinity of New York that reveal another
phase o the shameful neglect accorded TO our soldiers BY
the former administration
II appears that contracts made with New York IN
dertasers o give burial to unclaimed bodies OF
soldiers who died those hospitals The contracts called
for suitable cofins and municipalities II is alleged that
they have not been furnished and that veterans bodies
have been buried n boxes many two and three IN
grave.
1t is charged that practically attempt made ny
tie Public Health Service TO see whether their contracts
for burial complied with.
The evidence collected by the American Legion is 10 be
turned over to the Federal District Attorney with the
view Of bringing criminal prosecution against the prof
teering undertakers Deawareans will watch the pro
ceedings with interest
That action is wen enough so far It goes. It may
tult in deserved punishment for shameless men, and in
2e prevention OF similar abuses in the future But what
the poor bodies OF the disabled and sick veterans who
have died their return and have been put away
with such utter disregard for the homage due them9
The American cemeteries in France beautiful plots,
and the records Of buras therein been scrupuous-
y kept Such OF the bodies disntered and brought
to this country given the tenderest attention Sol
emn services are held over them at the New York piers
presided BY the President Cabinet officers Senators
and representatives.
Thousands are then TO their homes under special
military guard to And hnal resting place near their
relatives and friends. The rest brought TO the Ma
tona cemetery al Arlington Tor burial amid impressive
military ceremonies.
Why is 1t that men who died OF wounds or sickness IN
France should be accorded treatment so different from
those who able to Ions enough TO return Ia
an American hospital before they passed away?
And why IS it that the body or poor soldier who had
relative to claim il must be disposed OF In manner
shocknsly different from the treatment accorded those
whose families took charge Of their remainsi
The debt Of the nation TO all Of those men is precisely
the same
They all sacrificed their health finally their hives
the altar OF their country they all deserve from
grateful Republic final resting place where their names
may be preserved for all time
The present administration must not be charged with
responsibility for the revolving conditions discovered in
New York
Every day new evidence appears OF the unspeakablt
Treatment meted out 10 returning soldiers by IN,
party Formerly in power.
As those conditions are revealed steps are prompt,
taken 10 correct them. cannot be doubted that th
shameful affair New York Will be rlghted so FAR as
IS possible TO do SO now.
The Public Health hospitals are under the jurisdiction
OF the Treasury Department but the soldier patient
therein are subject to War Department authority Ther
should be the closest cooperation between thos
branches Of the Government not only to suppress th
abuses as they now exist but to check up what ha
occurred in the past
Every death at every public Health Service hosplta
should be rigdy inquired into and where bodies hsv
been unclaimed turned over 10 shameless nroaieer
for disposal sometimes dumped two and three deem int
unmarked graves they should be recovered and taken
the National cemetery at Arlington TO rest with our othe
war heroes