New-York tribune., 1922-09-13
Ressdale Quits
Soldier Hospital
Inquiry in HUFF
Charges whitewash After
Heated Verbal Exchange
With Lii,Ieton, and Says
He'll Go TO President
Investigation 10 Continue
Other Members Satisfied
Real Truth Is Being
Sought and Pledge Aid

when the COMMITTEES Of three invesu-
eating the conditions at veterans
H.tpItal 81. TIE Bronx, reconvenes.
,o-morrow morning a. 10 o'clock u wa
he without the services Of Representa-
five Albert b. Rossdale, who is rtspoD-
sible FOR bringing the speeihe eaAIges
against the institution. hr. kossaAle
Withdrew from the proceedings yester-
dsv after a heated verbal exchange WIN
Martin W. Littleton, the lay SnemDet
Of the committee, and, according 70 the
statement issued later by the three
fntmbers, the retirement IS acc ipteo
with relief.
A. Mr.. Rossdale angrily LETT the
hearing room he declared that 50 Jar
as the present investigation was eohs
cerned he was through, but PROMISE,
tLat there would be a real hearing u
he had 20 20 to the President 70 get H.
@This was plainly and purely an at
tempt At whitcwash," said the Repre-
sentative. III Colonel Forbess en-
ployees. in order 20 improve their stand
nc with their chief, want TO bTing 40
a whitewash report ! see no reason
Why should be a party 70 II and iena
my name 20 a disgraceful pfoeeeoihs'
SAYS LIttIeton Gave No Help
aMr. Littleton was named By Colonel
Forbes over the iong-distsnec, phone
from Washington, and from the mo,
lnent he arrived he was surrounosn
by Colonel Forbess satellites ana mace
much Of. and the poor fellow fell ior ~.
As for myself re- lse to play upon
IAttleton's vanity, as regaro nlH
neither as a great figure nor nero
He gave no help.
"The few questions he asked were
plainly for the. purpose OF protecSlhs
the hospital officials, and II was eieAI
10 me that here was q man win
reputation ard-supposed 70 represent s.
the public who was Ia reality notnlhs
but-en added cloak for the bureau.
Iater In the afternoon Mr.. Rossdale
ssid that he had telegraphed the House
N Representatives for its Legislative
prograrn and that II this permitted ne
would Introduce a resolution within
the next few days asking for q Con-
eressional investigation Of the Hospital.
After the confusion caused by the
abrupt departure Of the Congressman
had subsidized, representatives OF both
the American Legion and the American
War Mothers said they we're satisfied
that the members of the committee
were honestly ard impartially seeking
the truth aud declared that they would
continue 70 eo-orerate with them in
the Investigation. IL was then decided
70 adjourn until tomorrow morning,
and the committee Issued the following
statement:
"The purpose and intent cf the com
fnittee remain entirely unchanged. II
will proceed with the investigation OF
the conditions in this hospital as II
was originally intended and will avail
itself OF such information as has al
ready been brought 10 1t and all in
formation which may be brought TO IT,
"In addition 10 this, searching in
ouiry on its own behalf will be con-
Quoted as TO the method and manner
OF operation Of this institution. the
treatment Of the patient and all cues
tions which would affect its proper
management. The investigation viii
be continued open 20 the public and
the press. The committee exceedingly
regrets that the incident Of the morn
ing should have interrupted the plar
of procedure which was adopted N
conjunction and agreement with Con
gressman Rossdale, but the committee
felt obliged 20 end the attacks which
were constantly being made upon II.
integrity and fairness by innuendo anc
direct statement, and II IL wee choice
OF being accused Of having adjudgec
the case, which the committee did moi
know anything about, or else having
Congressman Rossdsle retire, we ac
cepted the latter choice with relief.
The trouble between Mr.. Rossdal'
and the committee has been brewing
FOR several days, and his hostility
toward Mr.. Littleton. IN particular
whose appointment he ct FIRST hailed
with 10y, was noticeably present
throughout the whole Of yesterday
procee dings. The matter came TO
head while Mr.. Rossdale was ques
tioning DR.. A. P. Chronquest. super
intendent Of the hospital, who wal
again the only witness examined dur
ing the day.
Qulzzed Regarding Mail
The questions were IN regard to the
general practice Of the hospital in tn,
matter of theepatient's outgoing mail
DR.. Chronquest testified that j
was customary for the hospital 70 in
close with the patients letter a regu
lar form Of communication notifyinI
the relatives OF the inmates that j
would be welcome any suggestions TO
the welfare OF its charges.
Don't you know that you are makini
yourself liable 10 conviction for vio
lating the postal laws by opening