The New York herald., 1922-09-13
ROSSDALE IS OUT OF
HOSPITAL inquiry
Cruelty Investigation to Go
On Despite His Angry
Withdrawal.
WILL NOTIFY CONGRESS-
Representative Promises
Real Quiz After This
Whitewash Is Over
4 LEGION APPROVES BOARD
War Mothers Also Sanction
Procedure-Littleton Cen
sures Legislator.
LEGION APPROVES BOARD


withdrew yesterday from the investi-
cation of Veterans Hospital 81. at
Kingsbridge road and SedgwiclS ave-
nue., The Bronx, declaring he had
been hampered in his efforts to reach
the truth. and accusing the committee
OF partisanship and premature judg-
ment.
The abrupt departure of the Repre-
sentative from the committee room
after turbulent encounter with Mar
tin w. Littleton and other members
or the committee was the elimination
OF growing Nantagonism that has
been manifest Since the commence
ment of the proceedings.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Rossdale
momentarily stopped the entire ma
chinery of the investigation, but af-
ter the committee had gathered itself
together and had heard its course
commended by representatives of the
American Legion and the American
War Mothers a statement was issued
declaring that the incident would in
no way affect the purpose of the in
vestigation and that hearings would
be continued within a few days. Pri-
vately the members of the committee
expressed the opinion that things
would function much more emoothly
without the aid of Mr.. Rossdale.
Calls Committee Stacked.
Representative Rossdale left the hos
ptal with the intention of taking the
matter up with Congress He said he
would depart for Washington within a
few days and IL the legislative program
would permit he would take the floor Of
the House and request an official In
vestigation. He pointed out that
Congressional investigating committee
would have the power Of subpoena.
which the committee now <unctioning
has not
G. II. Jewett. DIR. Guy O. Ireland and
Mr.. Little<on, the three members OF the
committee. together with Mr.. Rossdale,
went into executive session yesterday
before Che open meeting. 1t was there
the/first outbreak occurred Representa-
tive Rossdale. having had a request for
a complete list Of the personnel OF the
hospital turned down. referred 10 the
committee as stacked"
I made him take back that statement
lock. stock and barrel" said Mr.. Little
ton, and then he quieted down uneil the
open session, when he was again reprl-
manded by the committee for the lati-
tude he assumed in asking questions.
We will have real Investigation
after this farcical white-wash has bean
completed" said Rossdale
Dr. A. Il. Chronquest. head OF the hos
pital, was on the witness stand when
the quarrel which ended the hearings
broke out. No more testimony was
taken during the rest Of the day.
"weak md CowardIy."
The committee became more and more
annoyed at the manner in which Mr..
Rossdale interrogated the witnesses
Finally Mr. Jewett suggested that he
ask direct questions instead of making
speeches" Judge J. G. Bostelman OF
counsel to the bureau concurred in this
suggestion and asked that the Represent
ative's lack OF legal knowledge be con-
sidered.
II don't want that man butttug in
exclaimed the Congressman, pointing 10
Judge Bostelman.
IF can't get the kind OF an investi-
cation we are entitled 10, I viii with
draw and leave 1t for the committee to
finish"
You are impeaching the integrity Of
this committee" rejoined Mr. Li.tleton
II represent the civilian public on this
committee and don't intend to sit here
and receive Insults
Il don't question your integrity, Mr.
Littleton.' continued Mr. Rossdale "but
you are affected by the atmosphere
These two men freferring to Judge
Bostelman and NJ r. McTnerney. a
special Investigator OF Washington
have hampered me in every way and
have attempted TO influence the com
mittee."
He added that Mr.. Littleton had been
surrounded by bureau officials since he
had entered the investigation. AS the
Representative started to leave the room
Mr. Littleton spoke OF his weak and
cowardy retirement" having no effect
upon the work OF the committee and
apparently referring to the Congress-
mans immense physique added:
You can't stand there like the Bull
OF Bashan and roar accusations at me"
"Get nj Real Truth"
The Representative stopped on his
way to the door and shaking paper
ang.ily at Mr.. Littieton gave the fol-
loving parting shot: You can't intinl-
date me, even II you are Martin Little
ton. You arc not tho Martin Littleton
thought you were or the Martin Little
ton the public thinks you are"
Mr.. lsittlet0n said the committee
would make n freeh start on Thursday
morning and would turn things upside
down" 10 get M the real truth OF the
conditions at the hospital
Irwin I. Rackoff. rcpr sseuting tie
American Legion, indorsed the conduct
OF the committee. and mad '.ie following
etatement placed In the record would
like TO say for the Legion that have
never seen a more fair and impartial
Investigation. Representative Rossdsie
was given great leeway. As far as we
are concerned we are on he side of the
committee"
An erroneous staten mt was made In
THE NEW York HERALD yesterday that
Thomas Donahuo, chauffeur for Col.
William Donovan Of the tG5th Infantry,
recognized G. IT. Jewett. one Of the ccm-
rurtree MEMBERS while an Inspection WAS
being made OF the ward wherein the
actively insane are confn ID. Dolanue
ID not IN this ward and never has been.
He has suffered q nervous breakdown
Mh<hl Is taking the ordinary treatment Of
e.e patient az the hospital The
SEQ spoke 10 Jewett in tile main
.,,aS another man whom jewttt
Il, as ahue. Donahue asked
ensIon be rectifed.