The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-02-26

II SEEMS an opportune time 20 rise
up Ia defense or one OF my war
''huddies.- who Il about 10 leave tho
directorship Of tho United States
Veterans bureau under fire. ! want
70 cite Tow facts. seemingly over
looked by Investigators Before
Buddy" Forbes was called down 90
Washington 10 al mans jols ~.
oFal men were suggested none OF
whom werc hig enough TOT tbs job,
Without hesitation the president So
lpcted Forbes. with a bare living
salary and the responsibility for tho
direction and welfare OF 5000. 900
claimants against tho government
IL was admitted then. and Ia today.
this Il tho largest organization In any
one department. OF any government
in tho world and that the gigantic
task Of making such huge machine
operate 10 tho satisfaction OF every
ono would 10 next 20 impossible
Hon aver. the following things havo
been brought about and are directly
tributary 10 this ono mans efforts.
and want the doubling ones to read
them over before jumping al conelu-
stons:
Prior 10 tho organization OF the
Veterans bureau the federal board,
public health and tho war risks In
surance and several other depart
ments. were all attempting 20 function
In the interest OF world war veterans.
all making earnest efforts. but get
ting nowhere. The unaolycd problem
was passed UP to the director OF tho
bureau, who absorbed all OF these do
partmonts along with the herculean
Job Of cutting down reckless waste
Of monies appropriated for tho yeter-
ans themselves. and who formulated
a policy and department that could
be practically applied TO tho laws
providing for the welfare OF our men
You recall tho brazen cxtraynngant
epidemic was Just at It's peak around
August. 1921. or about the tirns
Buddy" Forbes was saddled with
this responsibility. One Of HIS first
moves coincidIng with the presidents
Views was to check this epidemic. A
small effort In this direction In this.
his own homo district. brought about
an annual saving In rents alone OF
thousands OF dollars, and In another
effort. in selecting a hospital slto at
no expense TO the government In
making these dents In tho epidemic"
better and more efficient quarters
were secured in every location. IL Ia
conceded that this city has tho most
complete and up to date district Of
ficers of any Of the IA districts and Is
functioning TO a far greater extent
In all It's departments than any other
district office.
The results obtained in this dis
trict alone. should certainly have
some reflection OF credit where It be-
longs. and In line with the presi-
dents efforts to impress on congress
and members of tho cabinet needs
for judicial expenditures" commen-
dalton from this source should be cx-
pected. Ignorance OF results OF this
character by congress and the public
In general may be accountable for
the censure and criticisms OF the
present administration OF tho u. 8. V.
bureau, but should there be an in
vestgation thru congressional chan
nelB II might be possible that some
bright mind would develop a few
facts that are really worthy OF recog-
milton. Facts. figures and statistics
published In the annual report OF tho
director Of tho U. $. v. bureau as
OF June 30, 1922, might be referred
TO with pride. AS to results that have
been obtained IRON the laws cover
Ing the operation OF the bureau, any
such results In private corporations
would DO shouted TO the world thru
advertising mediums for years TO
come and held up az standard to
competitors
One department alone In this won.
derful organization dnsuranco) should
be sufficient evidence 10 the most
critical OF what has been accom-.
plished. Has all tho private capital
and energies In this one direction In
the whole u. s.. A. been able 10 offer
any such inducement to provide for
sickness. death and old ago7 should
say not, nor will there ever DO.
Uncle Sans insurance stands az n
permanent guardian 10 wc world war
veterans thruout our lives and then
TO our families and heirs, and under
conditions within reach Of us all.
True, 100000 seems large mum.
Der, but there has boon ample pro.
vision for just that many. Tho
buddy" who doesn't take advantage
OF u as carly M possible viii cor.
tninly regret Il. No Investment
'eycn government securities. offcro