Evening star., 1921-04-05
PRESIDENT ORDERS
PROBE Of OFFICIALS
|NS0LD|ER NEGLECT
Directs Mr.. Dawes to lnvesti-
gate Department Heads to
Fix Responsibility.
SAYS WOUNDED ENTITLED
TO EVERY CONSIDERATION
Head of Special Commission De-
clares Lack of Coordination Is
Responsible for Conditions.

President Harding today asked his
special commission, headed by Charles
C. Dawes of Chicago. to make "diligent
Inquiry of government department
heads in an effort to find out just where
the government agencies have been
lacking in authority. neglectful or fail
Ing in caring for disabled service men.
He asked also that investigation be
made of "the abuses which have de-
Seloped."
The Presidents request was in the
form of a statement which wassread at
the first meeting Of the commission by
MIR. Dawes. who called on the President
today at the White House. The COM
mission chairman announced that the
Presidents wishes would be carried out
to the letter and that the inquiry would
not be directed into controversial or ex-
tended subjects.
President's Statement.
II have asked you to meet and
make an investigation of the admin
tstration of the law in caring for the
crippled and impaired soldiers of the
late world war" said the Presidents
statement. There have been numer-
Gus complaints that the government
IS neglecting the becoming care of
these defenders to whom it owes
every consideration. and there is fur
ther complaint that there is tardiness
in dealing with them and their claims
which grew out of their service.
Il should like you to make dilige'nt
inquiry, of department heads. or with
those associated with them. in an ef-
fort to find out just where the gov
q0anCiQS in Wav
lacking in authority, neglectful or
failing to carry out what is the un-
questioned intent of Congress in its
enactment of laws and the making of
appropriations.
There need be no inquiry into the
intent Of the government. because I
think it is well understood that every
agency desires to deal justly and gen.
erously with those OF its defenders
who were impaired in the nations de-
fense
Wants Policy for Future.
"I think It would be WELL. while you
are making inquiry as to the failure
to care for these service men. that
YOU also make inquiry into the abuses
which have developed. and look care
fully into the regulations adopted 50
that you may know their probable
eject in the future. 1t is well to
realize that the American people want
to prove the republics gratitude to
these men,
The regulations and policies adopt
ed at this time are likely to be in ef-
feet for a full half century to come.
In order to deal justly with these men
and carry out a permanent policy it is
exceedingly important to start on
FIRM foundation
II have asked Brig. Gen. Sawyer to
meet with your committee and make
available to you such information as
you may desire which he has gathered
as the representative of the executive
in investigating the relations of the
several departments of government
dealing with this problem. l do not
imagine your committee will care to
enter into a widely extended taking of
testimony, but that you will be able
to gather from department heads and
officials responsible for the service
such information as you may yequire
to pass judgment on the program
adopted and make recommendations as
to our future course"
Mr. Dawes Wants Results.
Mr.. Dawes. who served during the
war as a brigadier general in charge
of the division of procurement of sup
plies in France, told the commission
that il was known that "a deplorable
situation exists and that the Presi-
dent and Congress were anxious to
remedy it"
The condition exists" he declared.
because of lack of coordination
among the agencies authorized by the
law TO care for the soldiers. Some
thing must be accomplished. We will
find the remedy and stay in continu-
Gus session until we do The men
on the other side worked at night.
This relates to them: Let's cut out the
dinners and get down to definite work
right now
Mr. Dawes said the commissions
10 81 -
Urday night and the commission then
begin its executive sessions to draft
recommendations for submission to
the President.
Approve Three Agencies.
The first decision of the commission
was an informal one. approving the
placing of the three agencies dealing
with disabled service men under one
responsible head This was urged by
Col. F. w. Galbraith. jr-. commander
Of the American Legion and "A member
Of the commission. and by Brig. Gen
Sawyer.
Col Gaibraith said tina, as a result
% the work being under the three
agencies veterans were without rledi-
raj care, financial support or voca-
t'onal training from time to time
Dr. William q White Of Pittsburgh.
chairman of the committee appointed
the Dawes commission on location and
building of hospitals. said his commit
tee had recommended to Secretary
Mellon that legislative steps be taken
t. centralize in the bureau OF war risk
Insurance the whole responsibility OF
the government to ex-service men
To study Hospital Sites
The committee also recommended
that experts study the question of
hospital locations and that meantime
governors or other state officials he
,-1.led into conference with d view 10
utilizing federal and state soldiers
homes and other hospital facilities
under jurisdiction of the states in
caring for the diSa bIed men.
DR.. White said his committee had
called Gen. Pershing and official rep
IeSentatives of all organizations in
t"rested in the subject and that they
lad cOncurred in the conclusions of
t.s report
After the first session, lasting about
Two hours. Chairman Dawes said the
commission had obtained information
Cefinitely establishing existing evils
n the administration of soldier relief
work and that further inquiry into
such phases of the problem would be
abandoned.
In contradistinction to these con-
;ressional war investigating commit
'"es. he said. Tets have this COM
Ittet get together. get somewhe re
I'd get through"
motion to that effect was made
tAo unanimously adopted.