New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-09-15
Rossdale Calls
On Congress to
Scan Hospitals
Bronx Man Offers Resolu-
lion Providing for Full
Inquiry Into System of
Caring for War Cripples
Repeats List of Abuses
Contends Forbes Investiga-
ton Is Inadequate to
Bring Out ALI the Facts

WASHINGTON, Sept. Ia, - Repre-
sentative Albert B. Rossdale, of the
Bronx, carried his dissatisfaction with
the Forbes investigation of United
States Veterans Hospital No. 81 to the
floor of the House to-day and de-
manded in a resolution that special
Congressional inquiry be authorized.
He asked that it be conducted by
select committee of the House.
my brief experience with the com
mittee arranged for by Colonel Forbes
to investigate conditions at the hos
pital convinced me that the Veterans
Bureau officials would not, if they
could avoid it, conduct an investigation
of the hospitals that would disclose
anything rejecting upon their own
management, and be therefore embar-
RAISING to their own bureau" Mr.. Ross
dale told the House.
Without prejudice to the inquiry
now in progress there, it is plainly
evident to me that the situation re-
quires an investigation of broader
and wider scope than the one arranged
for by Colonel Forbes" he continued,
that it is necessary to have access to
hospital records; that medical opinion
not in the employ of the bureau be
secured, including investigators to sift
out details and facts, and that the
committee have power to subpoena"
Among the charges reiterated in the
House by Representative Rossdale were
brutal assault. of at least one soldier
patient, disciplining of sane patients
by combining them with violently in
sane, censorship of mails and denial
to the patients Of the comfort boxes
distributed by the Knights OF Column
bust and similar organizations.
The Rossdale resolution, which car
ried a number Of additional charges
against the officers in charge of the
hospital, read:
Whereas, 1t is common knowledge
in the City of New York that ex-serv-
ice men who are patients in the United
States Veterans HOSPITAL No. 81 are
i'll treated and dissatisfied, some of
them having been brutality assaulted
and injured; and,
"Whereas, 1t is charged that patients
who have mild nervous troubles, ex-
IRENE nervousness or other very slight
mental disorders, neurasthenia, ETC.,
are frequently confined for periods in
Ward G of said hospital for the pur-
poses of discipline with violent and
raving insane patients, being sentenced
thus by board of discipline for petty
infractions Of hospital rules; and,
Whereas, The mental anguish Of
confinement in such a chamber of hor-
rors to patients known as mild or
border line cases is likely to result in
sending them over the line to actual
acute insanity; and,
Whereas, Many of said ex-servivce
| men are discharged from the hospital
not cured; and,
Whereas, Others are turned loose
on the City of New York unfit to take
care OF themselves; and,
Whereas, Other patients of the hos
pital have been unable to receive either
proper diet or medical treatment or
simple medicines; and,
"Whereas, Those in charge of the in
stitution have adopted course of
| near-military procedure contrary to
that which is followed in similar insti-
buttons under the care of the State Of
New York; and,
Whereas, Those in charge of said
hospital decline to remedy the condi-
tions above described and further de-
cline to permit auxiliary veteran or
CARNATIONS, such as the War Mothers
organization, the Knights of Columbus
and other similar organizations, to dis
tribute ordinary comforts to the pa
tients in said hospital, except through
monthly donation to hospital manage
ment; and,
Whereas, 1t has become common
knowledge in the City of New York
that said Hospital No. 81 is discredit
and disgrace to the American people;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Speaker appoint
q select committee to consist Of five
members to investigate the conditions
prevailing at veterans hospital No. 81,
In hN Do. L.
New York, and all other similar hos
pitfalls and institutions under The juris-
diction of the Veterans Bureau where
similar complaints have been made.
The committee shall report it's findings
to the House not later than the first
Monday in December, 1922, together
with such recommendations as it
deems proper. For the purposes of
| this resolution the committee is au-
| thorized to employ such stenographic
and clerical assistance, medical ex-
| perts and Investigators and to meet at
| such times and places, to have such
printing and binding done, and to make
| such expenditures, including expendi-
lures for travelling, as it deems neces-
| sary. The committee is further au-
thorized to sit during the sessions and
recesses Of the present Congress, to
send for persons and papers, to ad-
minister oaths and affirmations, and te
| take testimony. The Speaker is au-
thorized, upon the request of the COM
| mittee,. to issue subpenas for such
purposes, and the Sergeant-at-Arms OF
! the House is directed to serve the sub
ponas. All expenses of the committee
| incurred under this resolution shall be
| paid out of the contingent fund of the
House on vouchers authorized by the
committee, signed by the chairman
thereof and approved by the commit
tee on accounts"
|