The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-01-11

Grcat things were expected by the dis
abled of the World war to result from
the decentralization of the government
veterans relief agencies and the forma-
ton of the L. S, Veterans Bureau, under
the sweet bill. for the care of wounded
and otherwise disabled soldiers, sailors
and marines. The s~o-called decentraliza-
ton plan has had a fair trial. 1t has been
in effect five months. 1t has proved an
utter failure. The decentralization plan
was 4 mistake. 1t does not produce re-
suits. Those who are familiar with its
workings condemn it as utterly inefficient.
Who is to blame?
Congress created the Veterans Bureau.
The bureau, given carte blanche. has been
functioning in a manner altogether I'M
satisfactory to any fair-minded observer.
Is it the fault of congress, which treated
the bureau. or the fault of those in charge
of bureau affairs? Congress took unasked
advice, and it would appear that to this
extent. it is to blame for the shameful con-
ditions that exist today. But the real
| A5Auil EF~LS uJUl the DCISblllltl " NlC bu
ear itself.
Ever since it's creation. the bureau has
practiced a policy of evasion and prOcras-
t|ination in handling claims. Virtually
thousands of eases of this sort are of
official record. And now it appears that
the bureau has adopted the practice of re-
ducing the compensation of disabled men
without examination. Perhaps 10 other
fault of the bureau could be more PERM,
cious and serious in its results as they eff
fcct The disabled veteran.
Criticism in general terms is mere
scolding and amounts to nothing. The
public, having called to its attention fire.
quent disability cases that are settled tC
the satisfaction of the claimant. perhaps
fails to realize that there are thousands
of other cases Iull of merit that are being
ignored by the bureau.
The remedy is for congress to see to il
that the provisions of the law creating tn,
Veterans Bureau are complied with. il
fun accord with the spirit and intent o.
the law. 1t is refreshing to note that the
matter is being called to the attention
of congress. On the floor of the nous
last week. Congressman George Huddle
Iston of Alabama made a scathing attacl
upon the ineffciency of the Veterans Bur
eau. He cane down to brass tacks, anC
cited a score or more of specific instances
showing the methods used by the bureau
The floor of congress is the one place
where The American people can speak
through their representatives. to correc
evils and, despite politics, usually some
thing is done. The American people loOl
in vain today to the Veterans Bureau for
action, for decision, for doing justice t
the disabled wal heroes. However, thcr,
is a higher court of appeal. the congress
: Everyone familiar with the subjec'
;, knows that congress always has expressed
itself as anxious to deal literally Will
the disabled veterans, regardless of it
refusal to grant adjusted compensation Il
the uninjured rank and file. The sym
pathetic efforts of congress to provid,
relief always have been thwarted by tn,
ineficiency of the officials chosen to pas
on 10 the disabled men, the relief voted b!
congress. Constantly for four years tn
public has been assured that those re