The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-09-21
Health Service, and the decentraliza-AM

cope with new conditions 1t was nee
essary for the Legion to also co-ordi
nate and decentralize their activities
in behalf of the disabled men, through
the courtesy of National Headquarters
The American Red Cross, Legion Liza
son Officers are stationed in each OF
the District Offices of the Veterans
Bureau, with instructions to make {
careful study of the functioning
needs, limitations, and responsible
ties Of the Veterans Bureau and tt
keep the Legion informed of those
matters so that the Bureau will re.
ceive from us only the closest of co.
operation and constructive criticism
To investigate hospitals where service
men are treated and to make reports
thereon. To inspect training facili.
ties, in order to determine whether
, men in this district are receiving such
training as will lead to successful en-
ployment. To work out in conjunction
with the Veterans Bureau, such pl\ S
of campaign and publicity as will keep
disabled men at all times informed of
changes in laws so that they may re-
ceive benefits without undue delay
To handle all complaints against the
Veterans Bureau, and to see that
proper explanation or adjustment is
made in each case. To handle emer-
'gency claims and claims where adj
justment cannot be obtained through
ordinary channels of procedure, and
to see that the Legion is kept inform
ed of methods of handling claims that
will produce the quickest results. The
first of this year the Liason forces
were augmented by the formation of a
one National Committee to handle all
problems pertaining to the ultimate
rehabilitation of disabled service men.
This committee is composed of the
leading specialists in the medical pro-
fcssion in the United States, and a
member from each District. All mat
ters of National Character are for
warded to the National Chairman of
this committee, Mr.. A. A. Sprague of
Chicago, who has been active in this
work for the Legion since early in
1919. All problems in the District are
taken up with similar district COM
mittee, composed of one representa-
tive from each department, tubercu-
lar, nervous, mental, medical and sur
gical specialists and vocational train
ing expert. Your Liason officer is the
Secretary of this committee and COM
piles all data for their use. The Dis
trict Committee decides:
"What the facts are in the District
What the remedy is. What is the
function of the state organizations in
carrying out such a program.
"You will understand that if Units
or Posts take up their complaints in
dividually with the Veterans Bureau
Congress or others, that we will work
against the interests of the disabled
and by so doing defeat the very pur-
pose for which our organization ex-
lists, and if you would obtain for these
men all the law intended they should
have, then appeal to you to refer all
such matters through your Depart
ment Headquarters to the District
Committee, and enable us to speak as
one on these matters which are so
vital.
"What has been the first concern of
the Legion from the day organization
was effected in St. Louis? THE RE-
;STORATION of THE DISABLED OF
THE WORLD WAR, and that is what
you are gathered together here today
for. Never for one instant has adjust
ed compensation, or any other interest
slackened us one iota in our fight for
these men. Every bit of beneficial
Legislation has been obtained after
months of fighting by the Legion and
the Auxiliary. Long ago, Congress
made generous appropriations to pro-
vide proper facilities for the care and
rehabilitation Of our disabled, and still
these men are suffering from lack of
proper care. Men whose nerves were
shattered on the battlefields are drift
ing downward into melancholia and
madness. Proper attention and care
might save them. They are not re-
ceiving this case. You have only to
look at these boys in the Insane Hos
pital at Jamestown or those up at
Dunseith. Do you need other proof ?
You will find it in the daily press by
the facts and figures given there: it
is established by facts and figures,
not only of the American Legion, but
of the United States Veterans Bu-
reau, a department Of the United
States Government, created for the
sole purpose of disabled relief. The
President appointed a Committee of