The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-05
COMMISSION ORDERED
BY PRESIDENT HARDING
To INSTITUTE INQUIRY
Treatment of Disabled
Ex-Service Men to Be
Investigated.

Washington, April 5.-Presideut
Harding today asked his special
commission, headed by Charles G.
Dawes, Of Chicago, to make .dili-
gent inquiry Of government de-
partment heads in an effort to find
out just where the government
agencies have been lacking in
authority, neglectful or failing" In
caring for disabled service men. He
also asked that investigation be
made of 1.-The abuses which have
developed
The presidents request was in
the form of statement which was
recommended at the first meeting
OF the commission by MIR. Dawes
who called on the president today
at the White house. The commits
sion chairman announced that the
presidents wishes would be carried
out to the letter and that the in
Quiry would not be directed into
controversial or extended subjects.
Il have asked you to meet and
make an investigation into the ad-
ministration of the law for the car
ing Of the crippled and injured SOL
diers of the late World war;" the
presidents statement said. There
have been numerous complaints
that the government is neglecting
the becoming care of these defend
ers, to whom it owes every consid-
GRAFTON, and there is further COM
plant that there is hardness in
dealing with them and their claims
which grew out OF their service.
| Il should like you to make dill
gent inquiry Of department heads
or with those associated with them,
in an effort to find out just where
the government agencies are in
any way lacking In authority, neg
lectful or failing to carry out what
| is the unquestioned intent of con-
gress in its enactment of laws and
the making of appropriations.
There need be no inquiry into the
intent of the government, because
: l think it is well understood that
every agency desires to deal just
ly and generously with those Of
its defenders who were impaired
in the nations defense.
| Alleged Abuses.
! Il think it would be we'll, 1hile
you are making inquiry as to the
failure to care for these service
men that you also make inquiry
into the abuses which have develop
ed, and look carefully into the reg
ulations adopted so that you may
know their probable effect in the
future. 1t is well to realize that the
American people want to prove the
republics gratitude to these men.
| '"The regulations adopted at this
time are likely to be in effect for
full half century to come. In or
der to deal justly with these men
and carry out a permanent policy
it is exceedingly important to start
on a firm foundation.
81 have asked Brigadier-General
Sawyer to meet with your commit
tee and make available to you such
| information as you may desire,
which he has gathered as the repre-
sentative of the executive in invest
igating the relations of the several
departments OF government deal
! ings with his problem. | do not
imagine your committee will care
to enter into widely extended
taking of testimony, but that You
will be able to gather from depart
ment heads and officials respQnsi-
BILE for the service such information
as you may require to pass judg-
ment on the program adopted and
make recommendation as to our
future course"