Evening star., 1923-03-12
Approves Humane Tactics
Howard S. Fisk Complains of
Alleged Treatment Of Vets.
To the Editor OF The Star:


To the Editor Of The Star:
I read with considerable interest
the article in Saturdays Star to the
effect that Director Frank T. Hines
Of the United States Veterans Bu-
reau announced that his policy for
operating that bureau would be based
on the elimination of red tape" in
the handling Of veterans claims and
the prevention Of "hard-boiled" meth
DDS in treatment OF veterans seeking
assistance from the government,
and 1 feel certain that il he does
nothing else but carry out these aims
during his administration he will
deserving of commendation from the
veterans of the world war.
Those of us who attended the re-
cent reception rendered by National
Press Club Post, No. 20, the American
Legion. to National Commander Alvin
M. Owsley. will remember that in a
very pointed address the national
was present on that occasion. to see
that the sick and disabled veterans
were treated In a sympathetic man
ner and not through "hard-boiled"
tactics. So it is gratifying to learn
that the new director intends to
start out with this intention and aim
in view. And right here let me say
that the start should be made here in
the fourth district. which comprises
40 frin 0f 10 10, n
Virginia and West Virginia. This has
been one of the greatest complaints
for some time past-that the officials
OF this district We're too bent on using
"hard-boiled" methods in the treat
ment of veterans.
Considered Dimcuit Problem.
The article in question states that
this district is considered a difficult
one, on account of including th& Dis
trlct OF Columbia. and being so close
under the eye of Congress" Why is
ii any more difficult than any of the
other thirteen districts? If anything
the men in this district should re-
ceive more sympathetic" treatment
than they do. / have in mind cases
the fourth district in regard to claims
have been threatened with being
committed to the insane asylum II
they persisted in following up their
claims.
Therefore. I am glad that the new
director has announced that any one
employing hard boiled methods
would be subject to dismissal. be-
cause any further cases coming to
my attention will be called to the
attention of Director Hines.
l trust that in the administration
of his office the new director will
not find it necessary to economiZe at
the expense. of the disabled veteran.
I note in the same article that the
manager of the fourth district had
effected great savings. due to pro
noting efficiency and economy
throughout the fourth district, to
such an extent that approximately
half million dollars would be saved
inquire how much of this saving was
at the expense of the disabled vet
eran? If bureau officials figure that
the slashing of compensation of
wounded and disabled former service
men from 800 a month to $50 a
month and from $3.50 a month to
less than $40 a month Is considered
as savings to the government. then
don't agree with those officials.
Cites Two Instances.
In these two cases, of which I have
personal knowledge. one was suffer-
ing from tuberculosis and the other
with part of limb gone. and in each
instance they had to fight for recog-
milton to have their compensation re-
stored. The former service man had
quired 70 take out of school. and the
latter is now fighting his case before
the bureau.
1t is Just such conditions as these
that cause unrest and dissatisfaction
among those most deserving heroes
who gave their all to their country
in time of need during the world war
And it is this condition that National
Commander Owsley invited attention
to in his recent address, when he
urged a sweeping investigation Of
the bureau. which he said was being
criticized from all sections of the
country.
The action Of Director Hines in re-
storing the manager of the fourth
district and suspending former Direc-
tor Charles f. Forbes order which
made him liaison officer and assistant
to the director is not meeting. I am
told. with favor among the former
They feel that former Director Forbes
knew what he was doing at the time
in the interest of the former service
men of the fourth district and regret
that the new director did not agree
with his predecessor.
Avoid Petty Politics.
If the new director is desirous of
administering justice. speeding up de-
layed cases and removing those re-
sponsible for the delays and carry
ing out the provisions of the Sweet
bill. let him cut out all petty poll
tics" in his bureau, maintain an
"open-door" policy and listen to COM
plants emanating from reliable
sources and suggestions for remedy
ing evils which may from time to
time be brought to his attention. and
he will have the hearty support of
not only the disabled veterans
themselves, but the Endorsement of
the various organizations growing out
of the recent war. To my mind the
Wounded and disabled veterans of
this war should receive every possi-
bile attention and care. without re-
gard to expense: and If any economy
IS TO be effected let it be in the re-
duction of surplus help and material
and not in the compensation of these
ue'e' VINO HOWARD S. FISK.
Recalls HEAVY Brigade