Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-03-02
PARTY AIDING
WAR We t rams
BIC SUM PROVIDED FOR BENE-
FIT OF DISABLED SERVICE
MEN DURING YEAR.

Washington, March 2.-The latest
bill in behalf of ex-service men
which has been given the approval of
the administration is one just intro
duced by Representative Langley, of
Kentucky, providing for an appro-
priation of S16,000,00O for the con-
struction of additional hospitals for
ex-service men and further providing
that all construction work upon
these hospitals shall be under the
supervision of the Director of the
Veterans Bureau. This bill, carrying
an appropriation of S16,000,000, is in
addition to S5l0,000,000 already au-
thorized for expenditure in behalf of
disabled eX-service men during the
calendar year of 1922.
There is quite an organized Dem
ocratic propaganda at work endeav-
oring to create public belief that the
present administration has done
nothing worth while in behalf of the
ex-service men. Charges to this eff
feet have been repeatedly made upon
the floor of either the Senate or the
House of Representatives by Demo
Gratis from states which have done
little or nothing for ex-service men.
The records show that insofar as
the Harding administration is con-
cerned, nothing has been left undone
in behalf of the disabled ex-service
men. The Harding administration
since it obtained control of the Con-
gress at the fall elections Of 1918,
which Congress convened in special
session in 1919, has made appropria-
tons in excess of $1,500,000, 900 for
use in behalf of ex-service men. Some
idea as TO what is being done in his
behalf may be obtained from state
ment made by Colonel Charles r.
Forbes, director of the Veterans Blu
reau, in the course of an address be-
fore the National Conference of the
Disabled American Veterans Of the
World War
Il have no patience" declared Col.
Forbes, with the statement that is
being made that the government has
done nothing for the disabled eX
service men and that it has been en-
tirely derelict in the performance of
it's duty. For their information, al
low me to call your attention to the
following facts regarding what the
government is doing:
"Q). Paying out 81 100000 cash
every day, including Sunday, direct
.ly into the hands of the ex-seryice
man or his dependents.
"(2). Providing, without cost,
hospital care and treatment to 10000
ex-service men, This care includes
board and lodging and represents an
annual expenditure of S6O,0O0,O0O.
"(3). Giving vocational training,
without cost, TO over 100000 disabled
ex-service men, at an annual eXpend-
iture of over $30,000000.
"(4). Conducting an insurance
business for over 100000 ex-service
men, without any cost of administra-
ton to them, at premium rates be-
low those of private companies for
like policies. The insurance now IN
force is in the sum of $500, 100000.
"(5). Mailing out $4,000 checks
every month, representing an expend-
iture of $42, 100000 monthly.
"(6). Conducting over $4,000 med
ical examinations every month.
"(7). Giving outside treatment in
cases where disqualification is not re-
uuired to 10000 ex-serviee men every
month.
"t8). Handling 1000 new claims
every day in addition to the 1900
600 already on file, and employing
over 1000 ex-service men in carrying
out this work.
400. In addition to the above, the
Veterans Bureau has allowed 305,00C
compensation claims; has paid out II
CONDENSATION benefits $300,l41 900
has allowed $4,000 insurance claims
totaling a value Of $1,310,000, 900.
"Q0). The Veterans Bureau vii
expend during the current calendar
year of 1922 s5i0,000,000 in behalf OF
disabled ex-service men,-more tnai
the entire expenditures Of the onitee
tates government in any year OF III
history prior to 1897.
"In view of these facts" said Col
Forbes, cit is difficult to reconcile
the statements that former service
men are being neglected. The onite'
States government is doing more fol
it's war veterans than any other gov
crnment in the world"
-. In