Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-01-05
NEGLECT OF DISABLED MEN
Leoion's investigation Shows Lack Of
Attention 20 Men Who Suffered
Terrors Of War.

Investigations by the American Le-
cion reveal shooting conditions Of mis-
management and neglect in the gov
ernments treatment OF disabled vet
Grams, according 10 reports Of the l.e-
gion's findings made public by +. w.
Galbralfh. Jr.. national commander.
The Legion has launched a nationwide
light FOR the correction Of these cOndi-
lions. which Mr.. Galbraith has de-
scribea as "a blot and a disgrace on
the name OF our country"
More than 10000 veterans are sdil
In hospitals suffering from wounds and
infirmlties suffered in their country's
service. Many Of them have been there
since they were brought back from
France on the hospital ships. Their
number Is increasing az the rate OF p
500 a month. due mostly to the develop
ment OF tuberculosis among men who
were gassed. Statistics show that
more than 10000 men were dis
charged with disability rated higher
than 10 per cent. Experts agree that
the peak In disqualification viii not
come for FIVE or ten years. Yet, gov
eminent hospitals az present are filled
70 overlooking and even contract ar
fragments are not being made rap
idly enough 20 care for the ever rising
tide Of disabled men whose conditions
demand disqualification.
Certainly. there Is no lack OF will
llngness on the part Of the American
public 70 do an In human power 10 aid
those who paid the price for the vic
tory. The same experts who estimate
that the peak OF the problem will NOT
come for FIVE or ten years say In the
meantime 5000. 100000 must be spent
in Us solution. The government has
not been nlggardly. More than $500
100000 already has been spent Mis-
management is the gist OF the Legion's
charge. Lack Of vision and foresight
and the ever-present governmental red
tape Is blamed as responsible for the
death Of disabled men before aid could
reach them. for the Incarceration OF
disabled IN falls and insane asylums.
and the charity wards OF public hos
pitfalls where they received the same
treatment as paupers.
I'm addition % its activities In advo-
eating reform in the conduct OF the
government bureaus. the American Le-
glon has dedicated itself 20 the ire
mendous task of "humanizing" the
dreary lives OF 10000 disabled buddles
who are patients In the hospitals all
over the country.
Every Legion post In this country
has been assigned 20 the definite job
Of taking care OF a certain hospital
where former service men are patients.
The Wcmen's auxiliary also viii be
modified 10 share In the work and
civic and philanthrOplc organizations
In the hospital towns viii be enlisted.
There Is also the dangerous possi-
bIlity that the hospital patients. re-
naming day after day with no interest
other than their physical condition.
viii become bitter against the country
which once honored them and which
apparently has cast them aside. In
several hospitals. BolsheviSt agents
have distributed infiammatory lltera-
ure by ingenious methods, Of which
an example Is the Enclosure OF the
printed matter In bouquets OF flowers.
In one case discovered by Legion in
vestigators the propaganda was en-
titled: you fought for America and
what did you get out OF it," And in
deed. Il does seem that the sick vet
eran got little out OF IL except a short
period Of popularity. the consciousness
Of having done his duty and a manned
and diseased body.
The 2.OOO000 who are their bud
dies" said the Legion's national COM
mander. "and are banded together In
the American Legion. are determined
that the hundred million shall not for
get. In this work OF giving the dis
abled man a fair deal and making him
content we shall ask the cooperation
% every loyal American. We fought
together and We win stick together"