The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-04-21

aih Vi tue government. Our very I'M
mediate concern is for the crippled sol.
diers and those deeply needing the
helping hand Of government. Con
scious OF the generous intent of con
gress, and the public concern for the
crippled and dependent, ! invited the
services of a volunteer committee to
inquire into the administration of the
bureau Of war risk insurance, the, fed.
eral board for vocational training and
other agencies of government in car
ing for the former soldiers, sailors and
marines of the World war. The COM
mittee promptly reported the chief diff
ficulty to be the imperfect organiZa-
tion Of government effort, the same
lack of coordination which hinders
government efficiency in many under
takings, less noticed because the need
for prompt service is less appealing.
Welfare of Former Service Men.
This committee has recommended
and | convey the recommendations to
you with cordial approval, that all
government agencies looking to the
welfare of the former service men
should be placed under one directing
head, so that the welfare of these dis
abled saviours of u civilization and
freedom may have the most efficient
direction. 1t may be well to make such
an official the director general Of SER
vice to war veterans and place under
his direction all disqualification, voca-
tional training, war insurance, reha-
Utilization and all pensions.
The immediate extension and utiliza-
tion of the governments hospital ia
~cilities in army and navy will bring re-
lief to the acute conditions, most COM
planned of, and the hospital building
program may be worked out to meet
the needs likely to be urgent at the
time of possible completion.
Involves Expenditure of Billions.
The whole program requires the
most thoughtful attention of congress
for we are embarking on the perform
anCe of a sacred obligation which in
wolves the expenditure of billions in
the half century before us. Congress
must perfect the policy of generous
gratitude and conscientious admins
tration must stamp out abuses in the
very beginning. We must strengthen
rather than weaken the moral fiber Of
the bene1ciaries and humanize all eff
forts so that rehabilitation shall be at
tended by experimentation.
During the recent political canvass
the proposal was made that a depart
ment of public welfare should be Gre
ated. It was Endorsed and commended
81 strongly that / venture TO call ii
to your attention and suggest favor
able legislative consideration.
Good Citizens Sought.
Governments obligation affirmative,
ly to encourage development of the
highest and most efficient type Of citi-
zenship is modernly accepted, almost
universally. Government rests upon
the body of citizenship; il cannot
maintain itself on a level that keeps il
out of touch and understanding with
the community it serves. Enlightened
governments everywhere recognize
this and are giving their recogniza-
tion effect in policies and programs.
Certainly no government is more de-
sirous than our own to reflect the hui,
man attitude, the purpose of making
better ENTHUSIASTICALLY, intellectu.
any, Npli lIudliy. IL lIio Gnu Il ali
convinced that such a department in
the government would be to real value.
1t could be made to crystaliZe much of
the rather vague generalization about
social justice into solid accomplish
mert. Events of recent years have
profoundly impressed thinking people
with the need 10 recognize new social
forces and eyolutions, to equip our citi-
zans for dealing rightly with problems
of life and social order.
Maternity Bill Recommended.
In the realms of education. public
health, sanitation, conditions of work
ers in industry, child welfare, proper
amusement and recreation, and elimin-
alton of social vice, and many other
subjects, the government already has
undertaken a considerable range of ac.
tiyities. / assume the maternity bill
already strongly approved, will be TAX
en- up promptly, thus adding to our
manifestation of human interest. But
these undertakings have been scattered
through many departments and bur
without coordination and with
much overlapping of functions which
fritter energies and magnffies the cost.
Somewhat related to the. foregoing
human problems is the race question.
Congress ought to wipe the stain of
barbaric lynching from the banners of
a free and orderly representative de
mocracy. We face the fact that many
millions of people Of African descent
are numbered among our population
and that in a number Of states they
constitute a very large proportion of
the total population.
1t is unnecessary to recount the diff.
ficulties incident to this condition, nor
to emphasize the fact that II Is a con,
dition which cannot be removed. There
has been suggestion, however, that
some OF its difficulties might be ameli-
GRATED by a humane and enlightened
consideration of it, a study of its many
aspects and an effort to formulate, If
a policy. at least a national atti-
OF mind calculated to bring about
the most satisfactory possible adjust
ment of relations between the races,
and or each a to the national life.
One proposal is the creation of a com-
mission embracing representatives OF
both races TO study and report on the
entire subject. The proposal has real
merit. / am convinced that in mutual
tolerance, understanding charity rec
nOnfffnr ~ H.