The New York herald., 1922-03-10
MORE HELP URGED
FOR WARS VICTIMS
Woman Says Conditions of
Disabled in N. Y. Are
Truly Terrible
MORE HOSPITAL AID
Col. Forbes Says There Is
Immediate Need for
2,100 Beds.
1000 MEN REQUIRE CARE
1900 MEN REQUIRE CARE
House Committee Hears Pleas
of Legion and Soldier Bodies
for Langley Bill.
Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., March g.

| Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. C.. March o.
! officials of the American Legion and
other soldier aid organizations sp-
peared before the House Committee
on Buildings and Grounds to-day, urg-
ing greater appropriations to provide
proper care for the 1000 world war
veterans who are suffering with tuber-
culosis and neuropsychiatric disability.
The conditions in New York were
described as deplorable and pitiable.
The committee was considering the
Langley bill, authorizing an expendi-
ture by the Government of $16,O00,OO0
to provide adequate hospital facilities
for war veterans. The measure pro-
vides, among other things, that the
disabled ex-service man in the army
and navy would receive care and treat
ment directly administered under gov
ernmental supervision
Col. Charles r. Forbes, director of the
Veterans Bureau, was a witness. He
emphasized that the fear of fire Is upper
most in the minds of most of the officials
who are entrusted with the care of pa
tientS housed in the cantonment type OF
hospitals. He called for the building of
fireproof structures.
Cantonments Fire Traps.
"Some of these cantonment structures
are mere fire traps" said Col. Forbes.
Fox Hill Hospital was perhaps the
most glaring instance OF such construc-
ton. and we closed 1t the other day. We
are afraid that some of these days one
OF these cantonment hospital structures
will catch fire and some of the men will
lose their lives. This would be national
disgrace which we all wish to avoid"
In describing the situation in New
York State. Col Forbes said there was
immediate need of 2.100 beds to care for
patients. Mental cases needed 900 beds,
\ general medical cases 900 beds and
| tuberculosis cases 500 to 500 beds.
At Rhinebeck. n. Y. the director said,
/ the bureau intends to have a tuberculosis
hospital. Negotiations are now under
way to this end. and he expressed the
I opinion that the House committee should
! lend its support to the undertaking.
| Director Forbes said he preferred to
| inspect the situation in New York before
giving the committee any facts as to
the condition of the veterans there. lie
was leaving this afternoon, he stated. TO
make a complete canvass.
Representative Hamilton Fish. who is
an ex-service man, supporting the Amer
| lean Legion's request for additional hos
pitals said that conditions In New York
State were deplorable.
There Is not properly speaking
! single bed in New York city for the
tubercular patient" he said. "The APP
propria tions made by Congress for the
purchase and construction of hospitals
I have been wasted and nothing whatever
has been done for the tubercular or
neuropsychiatric."
Some Driven TO Death. She Says.
| '.rhe men blame the Federal Govern
ment," said Miss Frances Rogers, presi-
dent Of the Soldiers and Sailors Cllb OF
New York while you are debating
| what TO do the men are dying. Many of
them are in such shape that they go
i crazy and suicide seems to be the best
way TO end their sad existence"
Miss Rogers, who has been engaged in
\ soldier relief activities during the last
four years. said that the plight Of 500
/ or 600 patients at the Fox Hill hos
). pital Is truly terrible" She was glad
\ to know, she asserted, that the Gov
ernment intended to close IT, She urged
the committee to place the expenditure
OF funds for soldier disqualification in
the hands OF the War Veterans Bureau
and to eliminate the red tape" in the
administration OF relief She also
recommended that a tubercular hospital
be bIilt above sea level.
Hanford MacNider. national COM
cander of the American Legion. urged
the passage OF the Langley bill. In a
statement which he read to the COM
u init ha lan 20
system. under which care and trea tment
! il accorded tua cfck