The Washington herald., 1922-06-24

ston have prevented the proper hospitaliza.
ton of disabled soldiers.
The facts, as related by Marquis James in this
weeks issue of the American Legion official pub
lication, are almost unbelievable Never the
old accusation of the ungratefulness of republics
more strikingly supported. The very people who
wished the men the most hearty godspeeds when
they sailed to France, too proud to have
anything to do with them. Once they were heroes.
Now they are just soldiers. Kipng knew whereof
he spoke when he wrote "Tomme Atkins
There is money enough to provide excellent
care and treatment for all veterans who require
it Congress has not been ungenerous. But the
Situation is such that the money not be used.
Efforts to build hospitals have been blocked by
despicable tactics
Here the facts in case, for example.
A hospital sought to relieve the situation in
New York city. The first locations chosen, one
on Staten Island and one on Long Island, were
discarded because government officials and experts
were unable to agree. A third site found in
Westchester county. which adjons the metropolis
on the north Climatic conditions ideal.
There is no more beautiful country anywhere than
the landscaped hills of Westchester. In fact, it
was considered too beautiful for disabled soldiers.
Westchester is a region of magnificent estates
where the rich OF New York get back to nature.
When it was learned that the government had
acquired right Of option certain acreage the
influential property owners roundabout started a
protest.
One leader of community sentiment declared that
unless efforts place hospital there were aban-
doned Immediately he would get his friend, Secre-
tary Mellon, the long-distance telephone and
unp1easantries might ensue. Congressman eager
to please his wealthy constituents also interviewed
Time dragged on. The scouts moved up the Hud-
Sou If he country estate belt picking tract
near Poughkeepsie. Here Vassar College, though
situated more than three miles from the proposed
hospital location, led the opposition.
The fight was adroty conducted. Here is a
copy of letter, bearing the signatures OF two
high officers of the college, which is being for
warded by the college directors to influential
persons:
THE commission who to locate hos
pitas for treatment Of disabled former service men
who are tubercuar, selected site in the vicinity
of Vassar College where several hundreds of these
men could be placed President MacCracken
strongly objected and the Executive Committee
unanimously endorsed his action. Assurance was
given that the hospital would not be located in
that place if the college objected
But we learn that determined effort is now
being made by certain interested parties to have
this decision reversed and this most anxious
to defeat
The objection by the college has nothing TO
do with the fact that the tubercular but
because we know that a proportion of these men
would be danger to such a community. We
have evidence from several institutions where such
men are, and in every case it shows that a
certain proportion of these unreliable
and unruly; that they rebel against restrictions
and break rules. In some cases probably this is
caused by the mental condition, but that increases
the danger instead of removing it,
'Vassar College has I,Ioo students and sew
eral hundred maids and these young girls wall:
freely about the neighborhood and sometimes for
miles We are convinced of the importance of in
ducing change of location for the hospital.
"Wil you use every effort personally and
through friends to influence the decision of the
commission
IoIS-Io22 Four short years, but they span
the gulf between hero and an outcast, one and
the same man. What has the done? Moth
ing much. He only fought for his country; got
his lungs burned out by German gas, perhaps
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