Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-03-20

Cross, Great Falls. due ex-service men
from the United States government, is
as follows: a
Compensation ............ 500. $3.50
Liberty bonds ............ 3,2S5.OO
Travel pay ............... S,SV1.Id
Bonus -,0SOVO
Allotment and allowance =. 4.SSt.6O
insurance 4,olV.U
Compensation for dependents 4.184.74
Total ..................S 76,9l1.45
More than 81 900, 900 government in
surance was reinstated and q large
portion of this converted.
Disabled Soldiers AppreclatIve.
A case which came to the attention
of the Red Cross was that of young
man who came here a total stranger,
for treatment. Fortunately he was d.
rected to DR.. Irwin, the public health
examiner, who found the young man In
critical condition. He was immedi-
ately placed in one Of the local hospi-
tails. The Red Cross got in touch with
this man and reported him to the pub
lie health service, filled out all the nee
essary papers regarding his compen-
sation. and has cared for all his cor
respondence. The Red Cross visitor
calls on this man at the hospital ana
finds him always in good spirits and
more than willing to follow advice. II
is a matter worthy Of note that al
those who come into contact with dis
abled soldiers find them almost invari-
ably appreciative Of even the slightest
help. These boys to whom the war is
still an actual daily reality, seldom
| complain.
In close connection with the work
for disabled soldiers is that OF rehablli-
tation. Men coming to the home ser
vice office are asked concerning their
bonus, travel pay, disability and the
status Of their insurance: In this way
an opportunity is created, not only for
helping the soldier to straighten out
his affairs and understand what assist
ance from the government he Is en-
titled to, but an>opening is found to
give him advice and announcement OF
which he usually stands in need.
RehabiIitatIng Men.
There are many pathetic cases OF
men returning from the war to find
conditions entirely changed at home.
often the home itself broken up, who
have lost ambition and self respect.
Such men. coming to the Red Cross to
ask for loan are often reduced to the
condition of tramps. A loan 10 grant
ed. work is found. and the office keeps
in touch with the man until he is on
his feet. In the entire experience Of
| the workers in the home service office,
numbering thousands of cases. only in
| two instances have men failed to re-
spond to the understanding. sympathy
and sincere personal interest of Mrs.
! Carrier and her assistants.
| One Of the hardest things in this
work is the difficulty Of reaching de
serving men who are entitled to help.
Any information concerning such sol
know where to apply for it is greatly
appreciated.
The reports Of the war risk insur-
ance bureau divide the disabled men
into three classes: tubercular, mental
and those suffering from general DIS
ability. It is the mental cases which
are the most difficult to deal with. and
at the same time the most pathetic.
Carl Lindstrom Is but one of hum
dreds whose stories are equally touch.
ing. Before the war this man had
saved $1,000. After his discharge, a
nervous condition, incurred while in
service, developed rapidly until ne Pc
came mentally irresponsible. In short
time he had lost all Of his money. Some
of this he had invested in bogus stock.
much of it he seems to have given away
outright
His memory was so affected that he
could give no account of what he had
done. He came to the home service
office for assistance in tracing some
Liberty bonds which he wished to give
to the cause of starving children in
Armenia At this time he himself had
been without food for days and was
absolutely destitute.
By telephoning the various local
hanks his Liberty bonds were located.
The Red Cross also got into touch
with neopIe who could furnish the nee
essary affidavits connecting his disa-
bility with service, as men whose dlsa-
bility was incurred through or aggra-
| waited nv service are entitled to care
hv the United States public health SER
In the case of Carl Lindstrom the
necessary papers for compensation and
Decentralization were obtained and the
mans family, who had been searching
for him, put into communication with
him. He is now in California. mentally
normal and well on the road to health,
and, judging by his letters, happy
Instances like the above could be
multiplied indefinitely.
There is the case of Horace King.
who was supporting his mother and
sister. He came to the Red Cross of
fice IN search of work. with no knowl-
edge that he was entitled to govern
ment aid for the active case Of tuber-
culosis from which he was suffering.
Noticing his condition, the home ser
vice office sent him to the physicians
! Of the public health service, and with
" in a short time this man was sent to a
sanitarium where he was given treat
ment ut government expense.
In this case az In many others the
Question of compensation was attended
to. Not only is this matter taken up
on behalf Of disabled soldiers but also
in that Of his dependents.
In cases where unfavorable home
conditions exist and illness develops
even to the dru1 habit has come To thu