The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-13
THE BIRMINGHAM AGEHERA1D WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1921

inquire into the administration of the bureau of war risk insurance, the fed eral board for vocational training and other agencies of government in caring for the ex-soldiers, sailors and marines of the World war. This committee promptly reported the chief difficulty to be the imperfect organization of gov ernmental effort, the same lack of CO., ordination which hinders government ef- ficiency in many undertakings, less no- ticed because the need for prompt ser vice is less appealing.
 | This committee has recommended and convey the recommendations to you with cordial approval, that all govern ment agencies looking to the welfare of the ex-service men should be placed un- der one direct head to the welfare C these disabled saviours of our civiliza- ton and freedom may have the most ef- ficient direction. It may be well to make such an official the director general of service to war veterans. and place under his direction all hospitalization, voca- tional training. war insurance, rehabili- tation and all pensions.
 IMMEDIATE RELIEF
 The immediate extension and utiiiza- tion of the governments hospital facill- ties in army and navy will bring relief to the acute conditions most complained
  may be worked out to meet the needs likely to be urgent at the time of pos sible completion.
 The whole programme requires the most thoughtful attention of Congress for we are embarking on the perform ance of a sacred obligation which fn- wolves the expenditures of billions in the half century before us Congress must perfect the policy of generous gratitude, | .I .t~@~ perfect the policy of generous gratitude, and conscientious administration must stamp out abuses in the very beginning We must strengthen rather than weaken ! the moral fibre of the benedciaries and humanize all efforts so that rehabilita- tion shall be attended by respirtualiza |. ton.
 | During the recent political canvass the proposal was made that department of public welfare should be created. It was indorsed ana commended so strongly that venture to call 1t to your atten- tion and to suggest favorable legislative consideration.
 VALUE OF DEPARTMENT Governments obligation affirmatively to encourage development of the highest and most efficient type of citizenship is modernly accepted, almost universally. Government rests upon the body of cit izenship; it cannot maintain itself on level that keeps it out of touch and un derstanding with the community it serves. Enlightened governments every where recognize this and are giving their recognition effect in policies and programmes. Certainly no government Is more desirous than our own to reflect the human attitude. the purpose of mak- ing better citizens-physically intellect ually, spiritually. To this end I am con- vinced that such 8 department in the government would be of real value. 1t could be made to crystaiize much of rather vague generalization about social justice into solid accomplishment Events of recent years have profoundly irn- pressed thinking people with the need to recognize new social forces and evo- lutions, to equip our citizens for dealing rightly with problems of life and social order.
 In the realms of education, public health, sanitation, conditions of work CTS in industry, child welfare. proper amusement and recreation, the elimi- nation of social vice and many other subjects. the government has already undertaken a considerable range of activities. assume the maternity bill,