New-York tribune., 1921-10-31
Senate Probers
Score Neglect
OfWar Victims

and only $3.50 have been rehabilitated
according to advices of the Federal
board, although we are now approach
ing the third anniversary of the armis-
e'ce. IT 10 with deep regret that we re-
port this melancholy fact"
The sad truth is that instead of re-
ceiving that tender and efficient care to
winch they were entitled, many unfor-
tunate disabled veterans have been
treated shabbily and abominably." saws
lne committee in dealing with hospitaii-
zation. =
~ thousands Denied Rights
lhere is no doubt that there has
oeen lamentable failure on the mart
or the government to provide ADEQUATE
hospita facilities for the wounded, sick
and disabled veterans of the World
War. The men have been cared for
IN many places in temporary, badly con
strucred and non-nreproof buildings of
war camp type. poorly located, which
should never have been used for other
ehan temporary purposes. Thousands
OF men are still receiving hospital
treatment in such places. There has
peen failure to provide adequately
for the special problems of tuberculosis
and neuro- psychiatry, which together
now constitute two-thirds of the load
On August l, 1921, not a single new
hospital had been completed (the
Speedway Hospital at Chicago was
opened shortly afterward) although the
first $9,000,000 appropriation was made
IN March. 1919, and although The need
Of new hospitals and sanatoria, par
tlcularly for tuberculosis and mental
cases, has been evident for at least
three years. The use of the msera Bile
ct l.,
of contract hospitals has resulted in
denying to thousands of men the care
full. adequate and efficient hospitaliza-
tlon to which they were and are en-
titled"
Failure to prevent use of drugs and
LIQUOR in hospitals and lack of inspec-
tion for certain diseases are con-
demned
The committee scores the contract
system of disqualification under which
the government EARNED out sacred
sponsibilty that rested upon it,"
The government thus lost touch with
thousands of the disabled men and was
without knowledge of their condition
or progress or treatment.
The committee criticizes features of
the system of rating III compensation
cases. Among the legislative recon-
mendations are:
The director of the veterans bureau
be authorized to provide additional
hospitals according to the recommend :
ations of the board OF consultants at
cost of Sic. 100000, and that an ap-
preparation of that amount be made
available without delay.
The President be authorized to trans
fer to the Veterans Bureau the op-
Grafton, management and control of
any government hospitals or hospital
facilities, including the Soldiers Home,
together with their equipment and
personnel (not needed for the array
or navy, or the housing of veterans of
former wars), for the use of disabled
eX-service persons of the World War.
A chaplains' corps be organized in
the Veterans Bureau sufficient for the
assignment Of at least one chaplain to
every government hospital where dis
abled veterans of the war are receiv-
ing capitalization and to every gov
eminent training center where trainees
are in training, as we'll as t. the CEN
tral and each regional Office of the Vet
erans' Bureau.
Congress should encourage holders of
insurance policies to continue them,
and not by its attitude DISCOURAGE them
as heretofore.
The war risk insurance act be amend
ed so IS to permit any ex-service man