The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-08

1 OF consultants of which DR.. william
Charles White. q tubercular expert
is chairman. This group has con-
Quoted an extensive survey OF the
hospital needs of the ex-service
men. This subject includes consid-
81 alton Of transportation facilities,
population. existing facil-
ilies, etc.
1t has quickly become apparent
that within ten or Afteen years the
greater part Of the disabled ex-
service men will either have been
cured and returned ~ assets 20 the
connunity, or that they will be-
cUne chronic residents Of Govern
saent Institutions. In other words.
the terminal aspects Of this problem
are one of custody and domiciie.
HOMES ULTIMATE NEED.
To spell this out. II means the
ultimate need here IL for soldiers
homes. Accordingly. every dictate 81
economy would look to the Building
Of hospitals which would later be
turned into homes. There already
exist in the United States number
Of Soldiers Homes. excellently To-
Gated. with extensive grounds, and
attractive surroundings. Manifestly,
Il In quicker and more economical
to build additions to these plants
" kieh already exist than undertake
an establishment Of an entirely new
instltution.
II the United States already owns
the grounds. IL II has q power plant,
II II has q sewer system, IL 1t has
adequate water supply, II 1t has i'd
ministration buildings. additional hos
pital quarters can quickly be erected
and suitable accommodations with
adequate medical treatment be pro-
vided for our suffering heroes with
less conceivable fuss.
Secretary Mellon has accordingly
suggested to Congress within the Il st
few days that the baildinG law of
March be amended to make IL pos
sible for him to build additions 10
soldiers homes and to hospitals ut
War Department and Navy Depart
ment stations II Ii should seem advis-
able. 1t L. imperative that the law he
amended to that effect as speedily NJ
1t can be done.
"POR1< Darrell. DANGER
There is another danger in this sit
uation, and that Is the Congress
pork barrel" Every Congressman
and senator alnoss, in city, town and
hamlet. every real estate broker has
property which he wants to foist on
the Government for treatment Of
our men. Needless to say that in
spite OF glowing descriptions made by
them of these properties, they are in
great many cases undoubtedly un-
suitable for the purposes to which IL
is suggested they be put
IL many of these projects are per-
mitted to prevail II will mean the
funds which have been appropriated
by Congress which have been ground
out OF the long taxpayer will
be dissipated in criminal projects by
q lot of GOuGers, instead of providing
the generous and effective treatment
which the people of America are de-
termined to give its defenders. This
is far greater danger than people
realize.
Secretary Mellon, in the appoint
ment of his committee. has taken a
most helpful step, and il the work
of this group will continue and Is
allowed to go on and II the recon-
mendations of that committee are re-
ligiously adhered to and followed to
the letter, a speedy and economical
hospital program will be put through
and that help which we all desire
Will be given these men in minimum
time. The men of this committee have
a grasp of the problem. They have
become and are becoming intimately
acquainted with all it's details. Their
ability, qualifications, and their in
tegrity are unassailable.
WOULD UNLOAD ON U. 5.
Another thing should be pointed
out. The country Is undergoing q
business depression. Many hotels.
sanitariums, would-be hospitals. and
other buildings under course Of con-
struction have been forced to sus-
pend. They are "busted."' Many of
them will be busted" for years.
They have been VIGOROUSLY hawked
about upon the business market.
Their owners have descended upon
the Government In many cases and
are endeavoring to foist these build
ings upon the Treasury Department
under the guise Of providing treat
ment for our disabled heroes. The
closest possible scrutiny should be
given to every such proposition, and
great care should be taken to see
that these properties be taken over
only when they arc suited to give
correct treatment to suffering men,
and where the Government II not
forced to pay two or three prices.
There Is one other difficult phase
to the problem OF caring for these
crippled men. The amount of COM
pensation payable under the War
Risk Insurance act is determined by
the loss of earning power q disabled
man has incurred. II he has an arm
off, he is only disabled in a certain
degree. However, IL he has to GO to
hospital Tor an operation or for
treatment of any kind. he cannot earn
cent while there. Accordingly, he
Is temporarily totally disabled.
PREMIUM ON "LINGERING.,
He receives in addition to all his
expenses while In the hospital. com
pensation payments Of $50 a month.
After six months there. IL there is no
prospect Of Improvement, a legal pre-
sumption arises that he is perma-
nently disabled. II permanently dis
abled he receives compensation pay