The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-15
OVERSEAS MAN
KILLS HIMSELF
IN GOvT. OFFICE
AFTERPAY GUT

~ LIVE S-
Relief Director 10 Attacked for
Statement That Patient Was
Physically Sound.
Fellow ex-service men sharing
hunks at the Ex-Service Mems
Club. 1905 K street northwest. with
Andrew Braun, former soldier. who
shot and killed himself Yesterday
noon at the United States Veterans
Bureau, were angered Yesterday
when they learned that the bureaus
order reducing Braun's compensa-
ton had brought the man 10 the
point Of self-destruction.
Question Statement.
The statement issued from the
Veterans Bureau at the direction OF
, Col. Charles r. Forbes that Braun
had been examined on January and
had been found to be in good physi-
cal condition was questioned by men
who had been associated with Braun
In the privacy of the bunk room dur
ing the last few nights. They de-
clared Braun had been i'll. both as q
result Of an army automobile acci.
dent In 1918, for which originally had
been awarded compensation, and in
connection with an hysterical condi-
ton for which he had received trent
ment In various hospitals at the direc-
ton OF the Veterans Bureau.
Secretary Harrington, of the club.
who said he personally observed
Braun during the four days he had
been registered at the e street club
rooms, said:
Braun was apparently in pain, and
his nervous condition was plainly evil
dent. When Braun first came here on
January 10 he appeared especially
downcast. talked with him and told
him believed his case would receive
favorable action and that he should
cheer up. He was well dressed and
did not give evidence Of being without
funds. He paid for his bunk-nfty
cents-each night. and ate at the club
counter, paying for his food. But
every time I saw him he appeared .
little more downcast." -.
Suicide IN Austrian.
h Braun, an Austrian by birth, but o
United States soldier during the war,
had been injured in an automobile
WAS stu suffering from an injury to
his leg, comrades said. and his nerves
were a. shattered as his limb.
I'VE took turns watching the men
coming into the bunk room at night"
said II. H. Oswalt. registered at the
club, ''to see that they did not slam
the door. Braun was easily affected
by a sudden noise. even though slight.
ana his condition appeared 30 pitifui
that We sympathized with him and
tricd To- make II easy for him."
Braun went to the Veterans Bureau
I. fev DAYS AFRO, seeking an increase
IN his compensation. which represented
= disability Of s. per cent, or Sb2
month. He said he thought he should
receive 100 per cent disability com
pensation. After an examination on
january Z he was told 1t would % I'M
uocsihie 70 give him 100 per cent unless
~ vould accept disqualification which
a. Coyernment would give him. Hc
scusnlained that he did not wish to 30
- q hospital because there was TOO
..uch noise with the slamming OF
Scors. He was then informed that
ths results Of the examination were
s,,ch that Il would be necessary 20
reduce his compensation TO ~ per
s,ris.s he should undergo hospital
t..stnsnt. or unless his disability
.shcuid increase before the time the
ssSuotion would become effective.
aufSerfng From Hystoria.
sAa dhgnosis Of the case was
.s,..r a shysteria and psychoneuro-
sEs Braun had receivsd cons'osrs
snis treatment ut the hands OF tne
government. At one time ne nae
Icsn.fai for Insane. but he was dis-
sSsrred from that hospital on the
.-s,,nd that his mental condition was
Srnroyed and that he was suffering
Nv from ''hystsrfa-"
Isv~,,n ieft the bureau upon recsiv-
srS Information about his cass on
Tnurvday, and returned yesterday
,,scrninG about 1880 o'clock. Officials
~ the Bureau said Braun did not
sssk any further Information regard
sns his case whom he appeared IN
80 information room on the ground
Tccr. He went to . CORNER OF the
.,rv,, and seated himself In Q chair
near the window.
A. ~ O'Clock Braun quietly took .
so-caliber revolver from his pocket,
.sised II to his forehead and fired a
bullet into his skull. Attendants and
clerks In the room Immediately rush.
"a to his aid and doctors In the
1. s,oedical division Of the bureau were
s,mmoned. Every effort was made
"a eaye the mans life, but Braun
died en- route to Providence Hospital.
Reports indicating that Braun hac
Aecided within his own mind that his
flint for q readjustment Of his case
uvould be useless unless he accepted
decentralization, were given by men
Al the Service Club. Yesterday morn.
ing Braun had kept to himself at the
club. frequently going to the back
Soor of the rooms on the ground floor
and looking up the rear stairway as
though he were anxious for the upper
floor TO be entirely vacated 80 that he
might slip upstairs and kill himself
80, hts hunk