New-York tribune., 1922-09-05
Veterans Society
Upholds Sawyer's
Hospital Program,
Satisfied Agencies Now at
Work Are Doing Every
thing Possible, ,Spokesmen
of III, 900 Disabled Say

From This Trtbune's Washington Bureas
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3.--Another
contribution to the controversy over
the hospitalization Of World War vet
erans was made to-day, when the Ma
tional Rehabilitation Committee of the
Disabled American Veterans of the
World announced that 1t is supporting
Colonel Charles r. Forbes, director of
the United States Veteran Bureau, and
General Charles E. Sawyer, chairman
Of the Federal Hospitalization Board,
"in the determined efforts they are
making to carry out sensible and ade-
quate hospital program for disabled
veterans"
This stand" was determined upon
after C. Hamilton Cook, national COM
mander; Raymond A. Lasance, national
adjutant, and John H. Dykes, chairman
of the National Rehabilitation Commit
tee, completed an investigation Of the
subject and held numerous conferences
with officials and others interested in
the treatment for these men.
The statement of the organization
says that it intends to support to the
limit the government and its agencies
established to restore injured men to a
self-reliant and sustaining basis,
when that is merited, but that it will
be just as quick and severe in it's criti-
cisms when deserved. Unfair and un-
warranted criticism of the hospital
program, it is asserted, will do far
more to delay its fulfillment than a
complete lack Of interest.
"Fully satisfied that the Veterans
sBureau and the Federal Hospitalization
Board are doing all that humanity is
possible to provide adequate hospital
and curative facilities for disabled vet
Grams, the d. A. V. has determined to
fight out this issue so that misdirected
criticism OR endeavor will not force a
backward step that will be a blow to
the men most interested, the disabled
men, the statement says.
The ID. A. V. representing III 900
disabled ex-service men, speaks with
authority, deep sympathy and under
standing of their problems
"The $4,000 appropriated in the
last Langley bill already has been al
located. Speedy construction of eight
hospitals at Northampton, Mass; Gulf
port, Miss; Chillicothe. Ohio; Camp
Custer, Mich; Knoxville, Iowa; st.
Cloud, Mimi, and American Lake,
Wash, is thus provided for. These
institutions will make available $500
beds for neuro-psychiatric cases, and
in addition tuberculosis hospitals are
to be erected at Tupper Lake in
Springs, Mo-, and Livcrmore, Calf,
though it would be better for all con-
cerned IL no more good money were
thrown away after that which has al
ready been wasted at Excelsior Springs.
Still, the provision Of the act in rela-
tion to Excelsior Springs is mandatory
and the officials who administer it are
allowed no discretion"
In any case where relief ie refused,
the statement added, "the D. A. V. will
move heaven and earth to bring it
about, at the Same time placing the
blame where 1t properly belongs. But
these things can not and must not be-
cloud the larger aspects of the situa-
ton.
"The Veterans Bureau, as now or
ganized, is doing excellent work for the
disabled men. 1t has not attained per-
lection, but we believe that under
standing and wise counsel will lead to
more constructive work than unjust
criticism. The Republication Board
Of which General Sawyer Is chairman,
is performing very useful function.
It Is the wish Of the President Of the
United States that IL continue to oper-
ate 80 that It's suggestions may be
available to the Veterans Bureau.
Sound policy requires hearty concur
renee in this plan"