Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-03-08

veterans bureau. IL was only recent
~ that the newspapers set forth some
of the troubles which are besetting the
organization which looks after the vel
fare of the men who fought. Now
there are more difficulties, but, as in
all things, the presumption is that
time study and proper paciicatory
measures will remedy the situation.
Director Charles r. Forbes has re-
signed from his office in cable mes
sage to president Harding. The Presf-
dent has accepted the resignation, and
is now called upon to name somebody
to take the directors place. AS has
been said frequently in Washington
dispatches, the man who takes the
place will have trouble on his hands
certainly at first, and he will be
compelled to use all his tact and
judgment to avoid bringing upon him
the sharp criticisms of the various
groups of compliments who think that
things should be done this way or
that way.
One of the complaints against the
readily get the adjustment Of claims
which they think are justitiable. There
is a good deal to say in behalf of
the bureau men who are trying to be
expeditions in their work and trying
to satisfy everybody. In the first
place, a great many claims are not
properly substantiated by the first
evidence which is produced. The men
in the bureau in a way are guardians
Of the taxpayers money, and they do
not feel that they can grant payments
or make adjustments of insurance I'M
less they are certain they are absolute
ly justified in their course. 1t is said
that many men seem to think the
government should take their mere
say-so as all-sufficient evidence of in
jury, or of right to secure an in
surance allotment or compensation.
Miller Doesn't Want the job.
Col. Thos w Miller, who is the
alien property custodian and an over
seas veteran has let it be known that
he does not wish to succeed Colonel
Forbes. It is said that several others
whose names have been mentioned
in connection with the succession have
given notice to the same tenor. The
man who takes the job must be square,
unafraid, and ready to make de-
cision and to stand by 1t.
Campaigns have been conducted to
effect changes in the bureau. Some of
these campaigns have been successful
and some have been unsuccessful.
Some, it is said, have been based on
premises that were not proper and
that ought to have failed for that
reason. Many of the places in the
bureau are held by ex-service men
who are entirely qualified to fill them
others, 1t is charged, are filed by ex-
service men who were appointed be-
cause they are ex-service men and
not because of any particular qualifica-
tons for the place.
Employees Fear for Their Places.
One thing is added to the troubles
of the bureau. For a good many
weeks now there have been rumors
that changes were to be made, and
the result has been that employees
have been afraid they were to lose
their places, and because of the I'M
certainties in the case they have been
unable to do good work. 1t is said
assurances have been given that good
men will be kept where they are,
and that this has helped the general
situation to considerable extent, but
nothing probably can remove the
veterans bureau from the field of
trouble except the appointment of
director who it is known Is going
to stay put and who it is also known
is going to do his duty just as he
would have done it in the army proper.
When the insurance and the COM
pensation plans were adopted it was
thought there could be no case which
would not be properly cared for I'M
der the laws. The fallibility OF rule
makers is shown in one matter, and it
is one that perhaps is not uninterest-
ing, because it is human. OF course.
the greater part of the three or four
million men who served were and
still are young men, but it has turned
out that quite number of men of
advanced years who seemingly had
special qualifications for the service
were taken into it during the war,
commissioned and given the work
which they knew how to do.
They gave their services, but they
last war, outside of the regular army
and navy, who are between fifty-fve
and sixty-four years of age. Many
of these men have found that they
cannot carry their insurance, or at
least cannot carry it after the five
year limit which was set for it's ex-
piration has been reached.
They gave thei rservices, but they
will not have the same recourse that
the younger men have. 1t is believed
this matter will be Strengthened out
later when the veterans as a body
have had an opportunity to study it
in all its aspects, and to realize that
an injustice is being done to the older
ones who volunteered 20 serve.
Worldwide Christian Endeavor.