The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1921-04-07
THE STATUS OF THE
DISABLED VETERANS
First of Series of Articles On
This Important Subject, by
John M. Booth.
1. Introduction.

1. Introduction.
For the last six months the Am
erican Legion has been concen-
trating its activities as a Nation
al Organization to the setting be-
fore the American People the
needs of the disabled veteran of
the World War, and in trying to
obtain from Congress the neces-
sary legislation and appropria-
tions to carry on the work.
As practically all the publicity
thus far given the subject has
been in the columns Of the Am
erican Legion Weekly, and as the
circulation is practically limited
to ex-service men, the general
public is not becoming acquaint-
ed with the subject as well as
they should. To this purpose
am preparing a series of short ar
ticles, which are mainly in the
form of digests of those publish
ed in the Legion Weekly and
whose purpose it will be to ac-
quaint the readers of The Herald
with the needs Of these men.
1t will be my purpose to give,
first, a general survey of the sit
nation. Second. an accurate ac-
count of what is actually being
done. Third. the aspect of the
problem in the future, and fourth,
what the Legion is trying to do
about it.
First, then, how large a prob
lem is it?
Of something over four million
men discharged from the army in
1918, the number Of those turned
into the world to earn their own
living who were admitted by the
Medical Department to have var
ious degrees of disability was
641,000. Of these, $4,000 were
classified as follows:
Tubercular .........-.. $4,000
Mental and nervous .......... 76,588
Surgical ..-.-.......-............ $4,000
Eye, ear, nose and throat 68,869
Miscellan 'us and medical 252,235
These men, owing to the in
creasing severity of their mala-
dies, are liable at any time to call
upon the Government for hospi-
tai treatment, for vocational
or for money to the
amount Of the difference between
their present earning capacity
and the cost of decent living.
These claims. when they come,
should be judged for what they
are. Not as a charge to be borne
with what grace we can muster,
out as debt, in the discharge of
which we should be proud.
There are naturally more
claims for cash compensation
han for either disqualification Or
education, but-of ov-
II half a million such claims al
'eady presented, 10000 have
,een disallowed, and $4,000 are
till pending in a mass of red
ape. Thousands of men who were
eceiving compensation have had
heir allowances cut, without
or explanation to half
II quarter, or even a smaller
raction of what they are enti-
led to receive.
Of 125,000 men declared enti-
led to receive training under the
bureau of Vocational Education,
My $4,000 are receiving it. Only
800 have completed training
nd only 1900 more have been
'laced in positions as result OF
raining. Though there are co.
90 more in training today, that
ooks loke small return for the
90,000,000 appropriation for
his purpose.
Of $4,000 men who have ap-
lied for hospital treatment from
ne government as result of dis
bilities traceable to the service,
My 10000 are receiving treat
lent today. Five thousand new
ases are received every month,
nd only $500 are discharged.
his leaves 1900 men to add to
le total every month, with po-
initial reserve on GAL 900 men 10
raw from. Experts estimate
lat the "peak of the load" will
IT be reached until, at the ear
est. 1925.
These are the premises upon
hich the Governments program
ust go forward. What is the
achinery they have on hand
ith which to do the work?
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