The New York herald., 1922-10-10
Rossdale Charges Result Is
What He Expected From
Investigators.
BITTER OVER OUTCOME
Author Of Quiz Says Fellow
Members DOdged Issue
in Conclusions.

Recommendations for participation
OF the public in the management Of
veterans hospitals are made in the
report of the committee that investi-
gated charges of mismanagement and
cruel treatment brought against the
officials of Hospital No. 81 at Kings
bridge road and Sedgwick avenue,
The Bronx.
The administration of DIR. A. P.
Chronquest is commended and none of
the charges brought by Representa-
tive Albert B. Rossdale of The Bronx
is sustained. The suggestions of
the American Legion for the decen-
tralization of the hospital management
and a change in the method of taking
employees from the civil service lists
are upheld
When Representative Rossdale was
informed of the findings of the commit
tee he said 1t was "just what he ex-
pected." The Congressman withdrew
fron, the investigation following a quar-
rel with Martin w. Littleton and let the
committee, composed Of DR.. Guy o. Ire
land, C. II. Jewett and Mr.. Littleton,
continue the investigation unaided.
snys 1t Went Backward.
THE copmittee bent backward in its
thing" said the Congressman. THE
hospital was all spruced up for the oc-
casion and any witness who would have
been embarrassing was whisked out OF
town. If Congress goes into specia
session / will press for a Congressional
investigation. and have every reasor
to believe it will be granted.
| 'I regard this investigation as worth
less. Nobody could expect the Veteran,
Bureau to do anything but whitewasf
itself"
The committee found that Nicholas
| Samson, an inmate whose injuries in q
tussle with two guards first focused
public attention on the hospital, was sub
! jected to undue and unnecessary force
| but that this force was employed mere
ly as a restraint" DIR. Chronquest Is
|
which he ordered an investigation and
discharged the guards.
The restrictions imposed by the cen
tralized control at Washington. the COM
mittee finds, are responsible for many
of the complaints of mismanagement and
| they strongly approve hospital heads
| being given more latitude, particularly
with regard to selecting the personnel OF
the staff. The committee suggests a
supervisory board of three civilians TO
visit, inspect and supervise the hospitals
in each of the fourteen districts.
Board to Give Confidence.
Such a board. the committee believes.
would give the public more confidence in
the institutions and keep the community
in closer touch with the problems af-
fecting the rehabilitation of the ex-ser-
vice men. The plan is to have the coun-
ell composed of a prominent physician. a
well known citizen of high standing in
the community and 4 representative OF
the Veterans Bureau.
ITO this board" says the committee,
"the head of the hospital could look for
guidance on questions OF policy; the
community could look for that public
point Of contact which Is so necessary
and the director of the Veterans Bu-
reau could look for information. adj
vice and suggestion as to the admins
tration and management OF the hos
pital."
1t is absolutely necessary. the com
mittee points out in conclusion. that all
Of these institutions ne cleared OF the
atmosphere Of distrust and suspicion and
be. placed upon a basis of public confi-
dence and esteem.
william f. Deegan, formerly state
commander American Legion, said in
part last night:
This investigation was made at my
request. l did not prefer charges.
Even as a soldier I'm the ranks my
interest in the welfare of the disabled
and mentally incapacitated ex-service
men will continue and l shall not allow
this matter to rest until a more salts
factory condition is reached In this and
other hospitals with regard to the treat
ment afforded our unfortunate COM
rades."