Evening star., 1945-07-22
Better Artificial Limbs
For Veterans Urged
By Mrs. Rogers

Soldiers with amputations are not
getting the best artificial limbs
: science could devise and more in
tensive research should be devoted
to this problem. Representative
Rogers, Republican, of Massachu-
setts, told the House yesterday.
AT the same time National Com
mander Edward N. Scheiberling of
the American Legion attacked at
tempts which he said are being
made to jeopardize economic status
OF returning veterans.
Mrs. Rogers, ranking minority
member of the House Veterans
committee who long has been in
terested in medical legislation, did
not blame the Army entirely how
ever, for failure to provide better
appliances for these veterans. But
she declared the War Department.
with its ample funds, should do
more.
She commended the research
laboratory started under the direc-
ton of Gen. Brehon B. Someryell,
commanding general of the Army
Service Forces, and expressed hope
1t would result in better appliances.
Talks to Many Amputees.
Mrs. Rogers said she had talked
to many amputees at Walter Reed
Hospital and felt that their artifi-
cial limbs were none too comforta-
BILE or practical.
Il hope" she added, "that in the
next few months something will be
done for these men, so that they
will feel that they are getting the
best aid possible"
Representative Miller, Republi-
can, Of Nebraska, a physician,
agreed with Mrs. Rogers. He said
he too had investigated the prob
lem and he felt that Walter Reed,
the Army's amputee center, was not
making artificial limbs that were
entirely satisfactory. He expressed
hope that better devices would be
created.
Mr.. Scheiberling issued a state
ment in which he charged that "se-
rious forces are at work to under
mine the veterans position, to mini
mize his opportunity, nullify his
job preference, freeze his economic
position and perpetuate the handi-
cap under which he finds himself by
reason Of his war Services"
Grievances Listed.
Specific grievances listed by Mr..
Scheiberling included:
/. Legislation sponsored by the
Veterans Administration, which Mr.. |
Scheiberling contended, has been
denounced as an opening economy
act aimed at the veteran in the
guise Of hberalizing his hospitaliza-
tion benefits"
2. The Legion had to request the
President to name veteran to the
Civil Service Commission to coun-
teract the efforts of elements within
the executive agencies who are dem
onstrating that they are not in
sympathy with the laws which pro-
vide preference to veterans in |
Federal Government employment"
3. The Legion had to protest, also,
the appointment by the United
States Employment Service of "un-
qualified veterans employment
counselors none of whom are veter-
ans and many of whom are women
inexperienced in veterans affairs.
Surplus Property Regulations.
4. Regulations promulgated by the
Surplus Property Board which
would defeat the intent of Congress
to give veterans effective preference
In the purchase and use of surplus
Government property in establishing
small business enterprises" H
S. Restrictive regulations with
drawn at the insistance of the
Legion, he said) on the part of the
ONCE Of Price Administration, which
barred the veteran. from entering
many fields of small enterprise.
s. Similar restrictions" issued by
the War Production Board-which
they promised last winter to relax,
but have not, Mr.. Scheiberling
charged.
Z. The rigid red tape which the
Veterans Administration has thrown
about the administration of the CT
Bill of Rights"