The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-07
IRWIN WILL
LAY CASES
BEFORE
HINES
D. c. Sufferers Sent to Ken.
lucky, Others Come to Mt.
Alto, Disabled Men Assert.


lucky, Others Come to Mt.
Alto, Disabled Men Assert.
Senators and Congressman are
exploiting the tubercular ex-serv-
ice men of their constituencies
by having them sent for treat
ment to Mt. Alto Hospital, while
District veterans with the disease
are being sent away from their
homes and families to Dawson
Springs, KY, a considerably in
ferior station, according to
charges made by the national re-
Mobilization committee of the Dis
abled American Veterans, through
their local chairman, Frank ].
Irwin, here today.
Probe at the Hospital.
This condition and many similar
situations are to be laid before
Director Hines of the Veterans
Bureau at a three-day conference
by heads of the veterans organiza.
ton.
The Representatives of the ex-
service men will insist upon com.
pletion of Mt Alto Hospital and
the abandonment of plan that
throws the hospital open to tuber-
cular veterans from all parts OF the
4jnifnn Sf0
Investigation made by Mr.. Irwin
at the hospital shows that more
than so per cent of the cases are
| from cities other than Washington.
TT is well known that content
ment and peace of mind are inn
portant to the cure of tuberculosis
declared Mr.. Irwin today. Instead
of sending Washington men away
to Dawson Springs it would seem
fairer and more sensible pro.
ceeding to put them in Mt. Alto,
where they would be near their
| homes and consequently would be
more contented.
IT know Of any number Of cases
of married ex-service men with
| positive, active cases of tuberculosis
| who are walking the streets of
Washington today-a menace to
| society-because they have refused
| to leave their homes and go to
Dawson Springs.
"At the same time. the Veterans
| Bureau permits Senators and Con
gressmen to send their cases to
Mt. Alto. Playing politics with
sick men as pawns is an unworthy
pursuit for this country and this
Government.
Program for Conference.
with program comprising
thirty seven resolutions, including
the Mt. Alto proposition and taking
| up practically every important prob
lem of disqualification and rehabili-
| tation, heads of the Disabled Amer
lean Veterans will place their
claims before Director Hines.
This procedure is in accordance
with the policy adopted by the or
ganization, declaring for settlement
of veterans claims by conference
| instead of by pointless, general
| criticism.
The veterans chiefs who are
coming here are James A. McF'ar-
land. of Dalton, Ga, recently elected
national commander; Judge Robert
S. Marx, of Cincinnati. and C..
Hamilton Cook, Buffalo, retiring
commander.
Will Go to Congress.
If Director Hines fails to approve
of the course indicated by the or
ganization in the resolutions, fight
will be waged before the next Con-
gress.
The relief program of the veterans
opposes the use of abandoned army
camps as training centers for dis
lnd "a oh 70
rector Hines that, while concentra-
ton of training stations may prove
in some instances a means Of ecoE-
omy, the results to the men in ques;.
ton may be unhappy.
For instance, the bureau has re-
Gently opened the station at Perry
vile, Md, an abandoned supply de.
pot, and cases from Silver Spring,
Md, have been ordered there. 1t
was pointed out that the Aberdeen
proving grounds are within sound of
Perryville, and if q mental case
hears only one defamation of a big
gun, he will be in the same condition
as when he was invaded home from
the war.
The organization estimates that
$4,000 men are rated by the Veter-
ans Bureau as non-feasible cases
They cannot be trained. cannot re-
ceive hospital treatment and are
unfit for work. Thrown on their
own resources. with no compensa-
ton from the Government. it is be-
lieved by the veterans body thai
they are drifting into the criminal
element.
The veterans will press Director
Hines to allow these men temper
ary rating Of total disability for
one wear, in order that they may
receive compensation and have q
chance to adjust themselves to
civilian life.