The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-04-06
HARDING ASKS
VETERAN A|DPRObE
Calls For Report Of Abuse Of
Disabled Service Men.
TO RECOMMEND POLICY
Tells Dawes Commission People Want
to Prove Republics Gratitude to
Defenders

Washington. April G.-Prr>idpnt
Harding asked his special commission,
headed by Charles q. Dawes. Chicago,
Ia make "dili%eml inquiry" of govern
menl department heads in an effort
to lind out .iu> where government
agencies have hrcrn Hacking in au-
lhuriIy. ne@lrc1ful on failing in car
iIg for disabled service mon. He also
asked investigation he made Of the
abuses which have Developed"
The prc>idcn!'> request WAS in The
form of = statement read ut The first
meeting Of the commission 10y Mr.
Dawes. who called ON he president
The commission chairman. who was d
general in the \. f.. F.. but VIII" re-
Gently told ii congressional Investigate
Ing committee he wanted Ito forget
it," announced the presidents wishes
would hr carried out To the letter and
The inquiry would hot he directed into
controversial on extended subjects.
Il have asked YOU tu meet and make
an investigation of the administration
nf the law in carin" for The crippled
and impaired soldiers of the late
world war" said the presidents state
mrmt. "'rhrre have been numerous
complaints thar the governments * .i..-
glrrling the becoming care of these
defenders. tn whom it owes every CON
>lcrS1inn and there is further com
pIam that there is Iardinc>> in ..t.;,I-
ing with them ana their :.Iaini< which
crew OUT of their service.
Il should like You 10 make diligent
inquiry of department heads or with
those associated With them. in an cf-
fort Ia find out just Whc"H the GOVERN
mcnt agencies are in amy Way lICkinc
in authority. neglpctfuI I'll failing To
carry out what is the unqu2SInl"d Ill
sent uf congress in its enactment Of
laws and The making of appropri:;-
tiun&. There need be no inquiry info
the intent of The government, hccall -
| think it * we'll understood that
every agency desires To deal justly and
generously with those of its defenders
who were impaired in the nations he
Tense.
Il think it would he we'll. While you
are making inquiry aS IL the failure
To care for these service men. that
You also make inquiry intn the ;tnISeS
Which have developed and look care
fully int" the regulations adopted 50
that You may know their probable Of
feet In the future. 1t is We'll t" real
ze that the American people want 20
prove the republics gratitude To H. Sc
men.
The regulations and policies adopt
ed ut this time are likely IA be in
effect for IL full half century to come
In order to deal justly with these men
and carry out permanent policy, It
is exceedingly important u start on
Il firm foundation.
II have asked Brigadier General
Sawyer to meet with your committee
and make available to you such in
formation as you may desire which he
has gathered as the representative Of
the executive in investigating the re-
latiOns of the several departments of
government dealing with this problem.
1 do not imagine your committee will
Cdlt " tIltcl llllO Il NlOtlN cAltllJ0tl
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
require to pass judgment on the pro-
gram adopted and make recommended
tionS as to our future course"
Mr.. Dawes, who served during the
war as Il hrigadier general in charge
of the division of procurement of sup
plies in France. told the commission
it was known "a deplorable situation
exists and the president and congress
We're anxious to remedy It,"
The condition exists" he asserted,
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 il: continu-
Gus session until we d.. The men on
the other side worked ut night. Let's
cut out the dinners and get down to
definite work right now"