Evening journal., 1921-03-21

a lew Weeks ago newspaper pun
lished a shocking story OF the sui
eide OF a disabled veteran. a patient
/ in a Government hospital Previ-
Gus attempts had been frustrated,
but this time hospital attendants
found him dying, with forty-seven
self-inhicted wounds in his body. At
his side lay the pair of scissors with
which ne had fatally and so ter
ribly mutilated himself.
A tragic happening this, and
douhly tragic to those who have
been trying to bring about payment
in full OF the countrys pledge to
/ It's disabled soldiers. This veteran
was a victim OF his country's fail
ure to provide adequately for his
treatment A suicidal mania caused
him to take his life in a horrible
manner, but some guilt rests upon
us all. This veteran was disabled
mentally, yet the hospital in which
he died by his own hand was not a
hospital equipped for the treatment
OF his peculiar wound. He was
a shell-shock, so called, popular
term that covers a multitude OF men
ltal Affections: yet he was quartered
with men whose disabilities were or
an entirely different nature ana
whose treatment did not call Tor
the constant supervision and spec
ialized care necessary to those most
complex disabilities that affect the
mind.
The death OF this veteran and the
underlying causes OF his deatah call
for serious thought these days. After
a period OF quiescence the bonus
bin for able-bodied veterans OF the
World War again promises to be-
come an issue. and in considering a
measure which will carry with it an
lappropriation OF $4,000 10000 it is
pertinent first to consider its effect
lupon the disabled and upon pending
Legislation in behalf OF the disabled.
Early In December, 1920, the
Joint Committee for Aid 10 Disabled
Veterans presented to Congress ten
recommendation which It represent
ed as the minimum needs OF the dis
abled, and as calling for early con-
t, lsideration. These recommendations,
liz should be mentioned, represented
mo entirely new contribution to the
subject OF proper care OF the dis
abled veteran II was common
knowledge that disabled men had
for a long period suffered as re-
suit OF the lack OF coordination
among the three bureaus response
. bile for their treatment and training.
- IL was common knowledge that in
ADEQUATE hospital facilities had
caused sick veterans TO be placed in
State and county almshouses. 1t
was common knowledge that GER
}, tain provision in the rehabilitation
act denied training TO thousands OF
men who needed that training badly
II was common knowledge that dis
2 abled officers were suffering because
z they had fought and been wounded
o as temporary officers. and so were
not entitled to the retirement pay
for which regular army officers were
eligible.
II All these things were known Z
Congress before the Joint Commit
tee for Aid to Disabled Veterans pre-
lsented its recommendations. yet th'
total OF legislation enacted TO cove
these points so far can be scored will
b., "A cipher. 10 Is not difficult TO i'm
/, agine the emotions OF the disabled
men II under these circumstance
they see the way smoothed 10
+ prompt passage OF bonus legisla
a tion. Nor will Il be proud momen
for the country, rejecting upon II
wartime pledges to those who shoul
Ia be wounded.
. Ifthe bonus bill Is passed now o
,- in the near future. then Il Is an
narent that the first consideratio
Of Congress Is not the smaller mum
70 her OF sick and wounded, but tn
r. greater mass Of able-bodied servic
al men. No other Interpretation wi
~ no possible. Either Congress wi
reject the measure and thereby den
onstrate that its first concern Is III
IN welfare OF the thousands Of disabled
Is or II will accept the bill and thereb
h. demonstrate prior interest in IN
Of millions OF able-bodied.
For that is the real bonus issu
now as formerly. in the future as
I, the past. It is whether more ina
IL 50. 900. .O000. 900 in gratuities shall +
rs disbursed among the able-bodie
st veterans. or whether several hur
to dred million dollars shall be avail
2S able annually for the care OF n
2s tubercular and handicapped vetel
er ans. II is whether long needed lef
he islation on behalf OF the disable
he shall he given immediate attention
he or whether II shall be put asid
or while legislation IS enacted for m
I'd benefit OF the healthy. II Is becon'
Ing evident that ConEress will M