Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-31
URGES QUICKER HELP
FOR DISABLED MEN
S. E. Bomar Pleas for Passage of
Senate Bill Providing Vet =
eran Compensation.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
AT this time, when there is so
much talk about soldier legislation
ana SO much stress being laid on the
cry or First, do everything possible
for the disabled soldier think it
might be we'll to call attention to,
and try to have enacted at once, a
Dill Is. 2541) presented in the Senate
in the early part of last October. by
Senator Robinson, read twice and
referred to the Senate committee on
finance-where it appears to have
fallen by the wayside, been pigeon
holed or lost.
The primary purpose of this bill is
to make it lawful for the director of
the Veterans Bureau to resume
what he once started doing. until ad-
vised by the controller of the Treas
ury that it was unlawful-namely, to
give the disabled soldier the benefit
of increased compensation and his
insurance, at time when he most
needs it-when he has been contin-
uously, totally disabled for a period
of six months or more and found Cat
the end of that time) to be still un-
able successfully to carry on in a
materially gainful occupation.
This bill is not only humanitarian
in its object. but will prove to be
matter of great economy to the gov
eminent. since it would not only
cost less to pay a man 500 per
luOutH give nlni
the insurance for which he has paid
often at a material sacrifice of
$3.50 per month. a total of $157.5o.
than to pay him temporary total
compensation of $50 per month and
keep him in a hospital, but it would
make Immediately available some
several hundreds of beds in the vari-
Gus hospitals, which are SO badly
needed for men in more serious need
of disqualification, thus saving build
Il .f,,rr 10
pitfalls.
The writer has spent the greater
part of the past two years in various
government hospitals and knows
from personal observation that there
are hundreds of men in these
hospitals who would be as well of.
or better off. at home with their loved
ones than under government super
vision, because of the greater free
dom from worry and consequent
speedier recovery, and they would be
at home if they could make both ends
meet on the stipend they receive,
but, since the $50 allowed man with
a dependent is, generally, insufficient.
the man must need go to the hospital
for his own care and in order that
his loved ones may have the whole
Of his compensation to live upon.
am advised that this bill was sub
mitted to its committee by the
American Legion at the convention
that it has been approved by the Vet
Grams of Foreign Wars and other
military organizations: and / know
that it has met with prompt and
hearty approval by individuals and
groups in the various hospitals when
called to their attention.
/ can appreciate the fact that a
republican Senate might be jealous
of good bill presented by a demo
crat, but it, appears to me that this
measure is SO patiently national
one instead of political one. that
its merit, as aneeting SO many nun,
dreds of our disabled soldiers, should
bring it to the front anc prevent it
being buried in any com nittee.
1 have lived and worked with and
among hundreds of these former bud
dies and have assisted many of them
in the adjustment of their compensa-
ton claims and I think / know them.
There is no doubt in my mind that
the passage of this bill would mean
freedom from worry, greater happi-
ness and content-and certainly much
more speedy recovery. particularly in
tubercular and nervous cases-since
ii would mean that they could take
care of themselves at home, surround
ed by their loved ones. and not see
their loved ones suffer because OF
their disability incurred in the service
| of their country.
While it is undoubtedly true that
some gold bricks might take ad-
ysntaee of the law, il passed. they
would be speedily uncovered. since
the measure provides for physical ex-
amina ton of the man at the pleas
ure of the director Of the Veterans
| Bureau-and it is surely far better
| that a few benefit unwarrantedly
| not benefit at all. S. E. BoMAR.
L