The New York herald., 1922-09-15
Gen. Salmon Criticizes Cal
iber of Attendants Under
Civil Service.
CONGRESS INQUIRY ASKED
Rossdale Appeals to House as
Witnesses Here Blame Wash
ington Interference.

Criticisms and recommendations of
the American Legion in regard to con-
ditons at Veterans Hospital No. 81
in The Bronx. were given yesterday
by Major William r. Deegan State
commander, and Gen. Thomas w. Sal
mon OF the State rehabilitation COM
mittee, and an expert on psychiatric
disorders. in testifying before the in
vestigating committee.
Major Deegan's recommendations
were concerned mainly with structural
defects in the building and insistence
that the hospital be brought up to the
promised capacity of 1000 beds.
The administration OF DR.. A. p.
Chronquest, head of the hospital. was
commended by Gen. Salmon and the
blame for whatever unfavorable condi-
tions exist placed upon faults in con-
struction and the centralized control
in Washington. Gen. Salmon wanted
more leeway given TO hospital super
intendents and the Civil Service sys-
tenn eliminated so that employees could
be discharged at once by local hospital
authorities
Representative Albert 3. Rossdale.
who withdrew from the investigation
on Tuesday. was not present when the
committee convened yesterday. Word
was received from Washington that he
had asked for an investigation by Con-
gress.
Col. Forbes Satisfied.
Col. Charles r. Forbes. head OF the
Veterans Bureau In Washington. ar
rived at the close OF the morning ses-
sion and made an inspection OF the
hospital as part of a tour throughout
institutions under his supervision. He
said he was satisfied with the work
of the investigating committee and that
IL Representative Rossdale wanted a
Congressional investigation the bureau
would render every assistance.
He said he was aware that certain
\parts of the building were not COM
nleted. and that the Veterans Bureau
intended to spend an additional 81. 900 900
to bring the hospital to the highest
standard Of efficiency. The United
States. he said. had done more for the
disa bled veteran than any other coun-
try and there are fourteen bills now
pending in Congress dealing with the
welfare of ex-service men.
A great many of the men now being
maintained in various hospitals, he said,
were eligible to be discharged and the
bureau is going TO undertake program
to have those whose home environment
is satisfactory returned TO their families
without reduced compensation.
Decgan for More Lights.
Major Deegan was particularly in
terested in fastening the construction of
a wall around the hospital and the addi-
tion OF a lighting system throughout the
de foh IN rar 1trr.
ing the night except for the reflection
OF the lights in the building
DR.. Guy O. Ireland. chairman of the
committee, announced that he had re-
ceived orders from Washington to make
an investigation OF the charges of an
assault upon patient named Martin.
who said he was beaten by wet towels.
Asked by Martin W. Littleton. the
public" member of the committee. II
he had any direct criticism to make OF
Dr. chronquest's administration. Gen.
Salmon replied that the hospital was
doing a splendid work in rehabilitating
soldiers and that he did not know OF a
single defect that could not be remedied
by changes in the system'of control from
Washington. Men of DR.. Chronquest's
type would not stay IN the service. he
said, IL they continued TO be constantly
hampered by officials in Washington.
The designation of nurses and doctors
from Washington sets a unique pre-
cedent." he said, and is contrary TO the
method In vogue among State hospitals
throughout the country. He thought a
. board OF managers should be appointed
L to control the affairs OF the hospital.
The inadequacy OF the pay for attend
ants and the impossibility Of getting the
proper type of men TO work for S5 n
month with maintenance was discussed
while Gen. Salmon was on the stand
Dr. Chronquest said the Government
was paying s55 10 s65 a month here
while Stnte hospitals pad from s46 to
s64 month on All average. with the
highest paid attendant getting s74.