The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-02-04
n NEGLECT 0F DISABLED i MEN
Lesion's investigation Shows Lack Of
Attention to Men Who Suffered
Terrors Of War.


Investigations by the American Le-
gion reveal shocking conditions of mis-
management and neglect In the gov
efnments treatment Of disabled vet
erans, according to reports, Of the l.e-
gions findings made public by f. w.
Galbraith, Jr., national commander.
The Legion has launched a nationwide
fight for the correction Of these cOndi-
tions, which Mr.. Galhraith has de-
scribed as "a blot and disgrace on
the name of our country"
More than 10000 veterans are still
in hospitals suffering from wounds and
infirmities suffered in their country's
service. Many Of them have been there
since they were brought back from
France on the hospital ships. Their
number is increasing at the rate OF q
500 a month. due mostly to the develop
ment of tuberculosis among men who
were gassed. Statistics show that
more than 100000 men were dis.
charged with disability rated higher
than 10 per cent. Experts agree that
the peak in disqualification will mot
come for five or ten years. Yet, gov
ernment hospitals at present are filed
to OverfiOwiig and even contract ar
rangements are not being made rap
idly enough to care for the ever rising
tide OF disabled men whose conditions
demand disqualification.
Certainly, there is no lack of will
llngness on the part OF the American
public to do all in human power to aid
those who paid the price for the VIC
tory The same experts who estimate
that the peak Of the problem Will not
come for five or ten years say In the
meantime 5000, 100000 must be spent
in It's solution. The government has
not been niggartlly. More than $780,
100000 already has been spent. Mis-
management is the gist Of the Legion's
charge. Lack of vision and foresight
and the erer-present governmental red
tape is blamed as responsible for the
death of disabled men before aid could
reach them, for the incarceration OF
disabled in jails and insane asylums,
and the charity wards of public hos
ptals where they received the same
treatment as paupers.
In addition to its activities In adv0-
eating reform In the conduct Of the
government bureaus the American Le-
glOn has dedicated itself to the tre-
mendous task of "humanizing' the
dreary lives of 10000 disabled buddies
who are patients IN the hospitals all
over the country.
Every Legion post in this country
has been assigned to the definite job
Of taking care Of certain hospital
where former service men are patients
The WOmen's auxiliary also will be
mObilized to share in the work and
civic and philanthr0pic organizations
In the hospital towns will be enlisted.
There is also the dangerous posai
bllity that the hospital patients, re
naming day after iay with no Interest
other than their physical condition
will become bitter against the country
which once honored them and which
apparently has cast them aside. II
several hospitals, Bolshevist agents
uuNc
ture by ingenious methods, Of which
an example is the inclosure Of tho
printed matter In bouquets of flowers
In one case discovered by Legion in
vestlgators the propaganda was en-
titled: "Y0u fought for America ant
what did you get out OF it?' And in
deed, 1t does seem that the sick vet
eran got little out OF It except a shor
period Of popularity, the consciousness.
OF having done his duty and maimet
and diseased body.
"The 2,0OO,OOO who are their bud
dies" said the LegiOn's national com
mander, "and are banded together II
] the American Legion, are determine,
that the hundred million shall not for
get. In this work Of giving the dis
| abled man a fair deal and making hin
content we shall ask the cooperation
of every loyal American. We Tough
together and we will stick together"