The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-01-11
How Long Must They Suffer
Neglect and Injustice?

The American Legion has presented 10 the president the
formal memorial directing attention ~ the suffering, the
shameful neglect and injustice which the legion asserts
marks the administration of the affairs Of disabled veterans
of the World War.
This matter of most vital interest to every American
Immediate attention is necessary Something and that
wholly adequate and just be done NOW Not tomor
row. but today Altogether too much time already has been
lost Dying be after the breath has
departed from their bodies srewing flowers
does not the stain of suffering shameful neglect and
Injustice
Thousands Of disabled vcterans according to the Amcr
can Legion memorial waiting and have waited for
pensaton for their injuries Thousands have waited for
months for opportunity to reestabsh themselves self
sustaining members Of society by vocational training Thou
sands need of Decentralization and the has
no hospital facilities available for them"
What better evidence of suffering shameful neglect and
Injustice
The legion continues:
Afflicted and penniless veterans have been driven TO
refuge IN almshouses and jais"
Is that the way the flower of American man
hood after it has returned disabled from the ltcfields
and longer needed 10 guard lives and homes
me legion furnishes the proof that such Is the treatment
date relief is not forthcoming viii die destitute with
out proper medical without compensation with which
to obtain it. abandoned by the country they served
That is OUR country the legion speaks OIL 1t Is OUR
treatment of which they complain.
The legion rightly complains because thru Legislative and
administrative deficiencies provisions made for the disabled
have failed to reach the veterans in most urgent need Of
help. The result has BEEN
Delays in awarding compensation
Unfit and inadequate facilities for IN need Of hospital
ization.
The failure the legion IL may be traced to the
separation of the three needs Of the Medical treat
ment vocational training and financial support The public
health service has control of the first the federal board for
vocational education and the bureau OF risk insurance
have the other two There much delay and considerable
friction occasoned by thus dividing the rehabatng
vice among three distinct organizations II not the eff
fcient of doing it 1t multpes red tape and expense
The legion advises:
he functions Of training treatment and compensation
must be combined The disabled has right TO deal
with agency which shall take Of his physical
tonal and financial restoration The bureau Of risk in
the federal board for vocational education and the
public health service las far has TO deal with disabled
veerans must be coordnaed and all three placed under
a common control"
Bills providing for these reforms have been introduced
both houses of congress- No other proposed legislation Is
of greater Importance and other stands greater need
for the immediate attention Of the memberx
Upon EVERY American rests the duty Of urging egts
ation to end-AT ONCE-the suffering. the shamcful
neglect and injustice of which the American Legion
plains In its memorial