Evening star., 1923-07-27
VETS BUREAU CUTS
COSTS 70 MILLIONS
Hines Estimates Reorganiza-
tion Will Save Government
Huge Sum Next Year.

Having reorganiZed the Veterans
Bureau to give more benefit to vet
Grams at a reduced expense of admin
istration, Director Frank T. Hines
estimated today that the bureau could
be run for the next year at an ex-
pense OF $20,0O0.000 less than the ap-
propriations for the present year
Director Hines in this connection
announced he would submit to the d.
rector of the budget next week his
preliminary estimate for the year 1925
at figure $50. 900 below that for
1924. This means that the greatest
single expense to. the federal govern
ment has passed over the peak, for
the present at least. For the year
ended June 80, 1929 the bureau spent
s461, ,719,433.S3. While admitting that
the previous administration of the
bureau, headed by Director Charles
r. Forbes. had had a difficult task in
co-ordinating three agencies into the
Veterans Bureau, and had been con-
fronted with other large problems.
Direcor Hines admitted that he had
found evidence of poor business man
agement of the bureau.
Corrected Faults.
Working in cooperation with the
Senate committee Investigating the
bureau. Director Hines said he had
attempted to correct unsatisfactory
conditions wherever he had found
them. One of the greatest savings
noted, he said in reviewing the accom-
plishments of the new administration of
the bureau, was in rentals, the annual
cost of which has been curtailed by the
sum of more than 100000.
Another great saving to the gov
ernment, Director Hines said. was the
rehabilitation of about 1900 vet
Grams and placement Of 81 per cent
of them in positions since March.
These men had been costing the gov
ernment moro than $3.50 each per
month.
Briefly stated, the most important
of the reorganization shifts made by
Director Hines were said today by
Cutting down overhead expenses,
including the elimination of thirty
three subdistrict offices.
Reduction of personnel and in
crease of many salaries
Increase Speed Of Work.
Increase of speed in rehabilitation
of veterans and placement of an in
creased number of them in paying
positions.
Rushing the disqualification pro-
gram and clearing up projects which
We're pending.
Opening of hospitals which had been
built. but which had no patients.
Elimination of unnecessary supply
deppts. cutting these down from
twelve to only three at present
Making complete inventory of all
supplies, so as to utilize those on
hand instead of purchasing new ma
terials where not needed.
establishment of supply division.
with accurate records of all supplies
throughout the country.
Bringing the veterans relief busi-
to date. For the first time in the
history of the bureau, Director Hines
said, the central board of appeals Is
now practically current
Reduce Divisions.
Elimination of unnecessary. divi-
sions in the central office and con-
soHdation of duties into fewer re-
sponsible heads.
Establishment of an inspection divi-
sion originally authorized, but never
established.
Authorizing commanding officers of
all hospitals with more power COM
mensurate with their responsibility.
Placing the affairs of the bureau on
a budget system.
Closing out of contracts in institu-
tions which had been closed, but
where no settlement had been
Establishment of a policy of plac-
ing men with permanent disability
on a permanent status, eliminating
unnecessary travel, Unnecessary ex-
aminations and worry on the part of
the veterans.