The Washington times., 1923-08-30
OPENING
HOSPITALS
To VETS
Hines Proposes Free Medical
Care for All Ex-Serv-
ice Men.
nv WIILIAM K. HUTCHINSON,


International News Service.
Free hospital treatment for all
Of Americas 100000 world war
veterans would be furnished by the
United States Veterans Bureau
under a new plan evolved by Di-
rector Frank T. Hines. international
News Service learned today.
Coolidge TO Pass On Plan.
The proposal, which contemplates
throwing open Government hos
pitfalls to all former soldiers who
saw service In the world war, soon
win be laid beforeN President Cool
idge for official action. II the Presi-
dent endorses the plan, Congress-
viii be asked to enact the authoriz-
ing legislation at its next session.
It is the plan Of Director Hines
to utilize all space in Government
institutions by caring for ex-service
men who fall sick, whether or not
the illness is due to war wounds.
II the president and Congress ap.
prove, all restrictions on the adj
mission of veterans probably will
be dropped early next year.
Any Veteran Eligible.
BY this arrangement, any veteran
taken iii would be eligible Tor adj
mission to the. nearest Government
hospital for free treatment on the
presentation OF an honorable dis
charge testifying to his war; service.
1.-THE hospitals which the Govern
ment now is constructing will have
sufficient beds to care for more
than the number Of ex-service men
now undergoing Government treat
ment," Director Hines told Inter
national News Service. 1.-THE num-
Der Of patients naturally will de-
crease as time goes on and we will
ultimately reach the point where
30 per cent of the beds viii be
vacant.
my plan is to utilize these beds
by placing them at the disposal of
world war veterans. The cost viii
not be very great because we will
have to maintain the institutions,
whether the beds are filled or
empty. in treating wounded service
men,"
"Will you ask Congress to au-
SA~S@
sion?'' he was asked.
Cost Varies Slightly.
1.-THE administration has not yet
passed upon it." the director re-
piled. II want to lay it before
President Coolidge for his approval
before seeking any action in Con-
gress."
Government Officials pointed ont
that the costs Of running hospital
varies slightly with the number OF
patients. Expenditures for rent,
heat, light, personnel and equip.
ment are practically the same
whether the institution Is crowded
or partly filled. The coast Of CIV
ing medical treatment to service
men,, whose illness is not caused by
war wounds, would be negligible, It
was stated,
While planning future help for
all former soldiers, Director Hines
also announced exceptional progress
in the rehabilitation Of wounded
veterans. With 80, 900 disabled men
now undergoing treatment at the
hands OF the government, all win
have completed their courses OF in
struction in Federal institutions by
the end Of 1925, Hines said.
10000 to Graduate This Year.
At least 10000 men will be
graduated from various Federal
schools this year at a saving Of
81. 100000 over the estimated cost Of
rehabilitating them.
Hines also reported a saving of an
additional $16,O00,000 in appropria-
tons given the Veterans Bureau for
the year ending June 80, last.
Tremendous saving were effected in
overhead" expenses, including
heavy reductions in telegraph tolls.
which annually totaled $500, 900; in
transportation allowances, totalinY
81, 500, 900 a year previously, and IN
rentals, where more than $4,000, 900
was slashed from the annual bill.
All these economies will be turned
back into the United States Treasury.
Two Schools To Close.
Veterans vocational training
schools in Chillicothe, Ohio. and at
Goshen, N. Y, will be closed within
a few months, it was stated, to eff
feet further economies.
The Chillicothe school, however.
will be kept open until December to
enable present classes to complete
their training. The total number Of
disabled men who will complete Gov
eminent courses this year are scat
tered as follows: Boston, 2,O17; New
York, 2,279; Philadelphia, 1863;
Washington, 1910; Atlanta: 1,767;
New Orleans, 1867; Cincinnati, 1857;
Chicago, 1,709; st. Louis, 1856; Min
neapolis, 764; Denver, 1,O74; San
Francisco, 1,431; Seattle, 73O, and
Dallas, Tex, 222.
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