The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-08
stPork Barrel'' Menaces
Care of Disabled Vets
Says War Risk Expert

(Confinued from First Page.)
snd the unstinted and patriotic work
done by the workers In the bureau at
Washington.
With the rehabilitation of the mil
itary forces, the aspect of the bu-
rssu's work and problems changed.
Payment ef anotments and allow
snces decreased and has now prac-
IDEALLY ceased. IL will end Ahaliy IN
Jelly.
LACK OF HOSPITALS.
As disabled men were discharged
they began to apply for medical
treatment. to which they were en-
titled. through Red Cross and other
voluntary organizations, such as the
American Legion. The bureau en-
deavored to secure contact with the
men who needed treatment. who need
Cd compensation payment and did not
know of their rights or how to secure
them.
1t Is a well-known fact 1 believe,
that before the war hospitals and
medical facilities Of the country were
inadequate for even ordinary civilian
needs.. The army discharged upward
TO nearly one-half million men, wath
then or later would call for hospital
or medical treatment. The Bureau
Of War Risk Insurance, operating
through the Public Health Service Of
the Treasury Department, has tried
to develop additional hospital facili-
ties, speedily. enough to meet this
demand and to care for these suffer-
ing men. To this end 1t has used
beds in army and navy hospitals and
has made over a number Of the SOL
d'srs' homes. which through the years
have become depopulated Of veterans.
MOST URGENT NEEDS.
The Government now operates
about seventy hospitals for the treat
ment OF disabled war veterans. Pri-
vate, State, ana municipal Institutions
are also being used. The Treasury
Department has contracts with over
1,4OO private hospitals, in most OF
which there are an umber of patients.
The most urgent phase of the prob
lem In this one, Ot providing quickly
Adequate medical cure and treatment
for disabled ex-sersice men.
There are not sufficient institutions
Of q high enough standard, there arc
Dot enough trained nurses, there are
not enough competent physicians,
and not enough of other Il aimed hos
pitaI personnel.
In addition to relief measures az
fcrdeu by AYR Risk insurance act,
Congress passed law which pro-
vided for the education and training
Of disabled men so that the handi-
cap they had received in the service
of their country might be overcome.
Through this they are to be taught
! new trades, new businesses, so they
may return to civil life in self
respecting, self-supporting capacity.
In these relief measures has resulted
some confusion and duplication os
effort.
URGES CONSOLIDATION.
The Federal Board for Vocational
Education provides for rehabilitation
education and training of disabled
soldiers. The Public Health Serv-
ice of the Treasury, the army and
navy medical STATS. the National
Soldiers Homes provides for their
medical care and treatment. The Blu
reau of War Risk Insurance is re-
sponsible for their financial support,
through it's compensation and insur-
ance payments.
The latter has said Here is one
man, one job, one essential need be-
ing performed by three distinct Of
fees. Proper logic, economy and Ct
nciency require tle consolidation Of
those functions"
This need had been recognized on
many hands, notably by Burton l..
Sweet, of Iowa, chairman of the War
RISK subcommittee OF the House of
Representatives, by his measure which
would consolidate this work in . new
bureau of the Treasury Department.
Into that bureau 1t would place the
War Risk Insurance Bureau, Public
Health Service insofar as its func-
tions relate to former service men,
and the Rehabilitation Division of the
Vocational Board. There can he NO
question Of the soundness Of this step.
CAPITALIZATION WRONG.
Another great source of trouble has
been the requirement that all func-
lions of the Bureau of War Risk In
surance be performed in Washing
ton, ID. c. This is manifestly wrong.
since the men are scattered all over
the country, human contact should
be established with them where they
are.
Congress should auinorize a decen-
tralization of the War Risk Insur-
ance through the establishment of
branch offices throughout the United
states. That step has been possible
and has proved tremendously bene-
ficial with respect to the work Of the
Vocational Board and the Public
Health Service. as is provided for in
Mr.. Sweets bill.
A short time ago, Secretary Mel
lon of the Treasury, signed an order
transferring to the Bureau of War
Risk Insurance all of the functions
of the Public Health Service with the
exception of the operation of hos
pitfalls which relate to the treatment
of disabled war veterans. This was
. very wise step which has resulted
In the consolidation In that bureau
of all functions conmitted to the
Treasury Department with regard to
these men. There only remains the
consolidation Of that work with the
work of the Vocational Board. 1t is
hoped that will shortly be accom-
plished.
CUSTODY AND DoMICLE.
Shortly after the signing of the