The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-09-01

ring which he kept on with difficulty.
"Now listen buddy" he whispered as
his grip frightened, "you've stuck by
us, keep it up. Have the American
Legion keep on plugging to keep the
hospitals near the boys homes. That
is whatll make make them pick up
faster than anything else"
l gave a final squeeze to his hand,
and walked hastily toward the door.
AS I reached it, l turned back, care
fully avoiding the bath tub. He was
still lying face down, and his head had
again dropped to the pillow, upon
which his chin rested. He attempted
to "a his cigarette to me in token
of farewell, but only succeeded in
twitching it in his emaciated fingers.
"Take me back by the shortest
route" l told the doctor, 81 want to
catch the train for aWshington."
And so l left Mackall lying upon his
face, but SOC to be placed in that I'M
speakable bath tub-from which he
would be lifted the next morning, to
spend the day lying on his face again.
And so on in the endless circle, while
you and 1 and others enjoy health and
strength and freedom from pain"
So this was the famous bathtub case.
But how little the words mean to one
who has not seer it, and perceived the
spirit Of the man who, in constant ag-
ony, gave his thoughts and efforts to
help his helpless "buddies."
Two Phrases to Remember.
The American people are a versatile
and volatile nation, with military lead
ers at times who have shown an apti-
tude for phrase-making which has i'm
m~ortalized their names. Two of these
already stand out, one justly famous,
the other awaiting the judgment of
history.
The first is a by-word, as one great
general once said, speaking of war and
it's effects, "War is He'll"
To this celebrated enrichment of our
language may now be added a more
recent commentary upon war. Not
uttered in the heat of battle it is true,
but nevertheless Illuminating in the
light it throws upon wars aftermath,
although penned in the seclusion of
the studio.
While the second golden phrase came
from the pen of a general of lesses ac-
complishments, it's author nevertheless,
because Of the high position which he
holds, now looms greater upon the hor-
lion Of Americas disabled war heroes
than his more illustrious, if less i'm
portant brother in arms. I refer to
Brigadier General Sawyer, recently of
Marion, Ohio, but now personal physi-
clan to President Harding and advisor
to the chief executive in matters con-
corning disabled soldiers.
General Sawyer has opinions of his
own concerning how America should
care for her war wounded, and because
of his personal relation to the Presi-
dent his ideas are not lightly to be
reckoned with.
Gen. Sawyer Accused.
Recently the general was accused by
the American Legion of ~obstructing
the Veterans Bureau hospital building
program for the disabled almost
said the disabled hospital building pro-
gram. In explaining his attitude and
attempting to justify it, the general
commented upon what he considered
the change of sentiment in the Amer
lean people toward its soldiers now
suffering in government and contract
hospitals. He told how eighteen months
ago, people who wished to do some
thing for the disabled crowded his Of
flee, but that now the situation had
changed.
Then the general dictated his fam
Gus phrase. Sew are there, indeed,
who have particular concern" he re-
piled to A. A. Sprague of the Legion,
who had accused him of delaying the
much needed hospital program.
Perhaps it is true. It may be that
the general, as an astute interpreter of
public opinion, has diagnosed his own
case and that of the public correctly,
and that outside of veteran organiza-
tons and their auxiliaries, the people
are Indifferent or at least apathetic
toward the fate of the men whom they
cheered and wept over three short
years ago.
We reporters know that the public
is tickle, changeable. 1t demands to be
entertained above all else, and must
be intensely interested before it will
throw itself Fundamentally into a pro-
ject.
War Still on for Thousands.
But the writer does not believe that
the American people have forgotten
nor does he believe that the newly.
coined phrase, "Few are there indeed
who have particular concern" is a cor.
rect diagnosis of the American con
science, and he knows it cannot be SC
long as there are men like Mackall suf
fering in makeshift hospitals, who ir
their own forgetfulness of self, recall
to those who did not enter the war
that the val still continues today fol
thousands of Americas broken young
manhood.
Mackall died a short time after
talked to him, and I imagine my inter
view was the last he ever gave. Hi.
F1rn ny,o xrync ~,,s%0 49, ,- n-l