Part 50

We have at least 160 N. P. cases in my hospital, although it is officially a T. B. hospital. As you know, the regulation provides that if a man is not capable of handling his money, his compensation check will be sent to the Commanding Officer, who is held responsible for the money. I put the money in the bank, giving to the man, after conferring with the Chief of the N. P. Section, such funds as he may need.

SURGEON M. J. WHITE: Early in 1919, when I first opened Palo Alto, I made recommendation for the amendment of the Act, so that the Compensation of a patient might be held until he had completely recovered, and I see no reason why there is a legal bar to it. I think Congress can say that Compensation is payable when a man has completely recovered and is discharged from the hospital. We cannot undertake to protect the patients from sharks. For instance, we give a man a pass; he goes down town and spends his money. As long as he has money in his pocket, he will spend it. I think it would be legal for Congress to say that Compensation will be payable when the man has reached maximum hospital treatment or when he is properly discharged. Otherwise, if a patient has accumulated, say, $160, he starts a disturbance and you have to give him the money.

CAPTAIN F. W. Wieber, U.S.N.:—I am glad to say that we have had very little trouble with our Veterans’ Bureau patients. We have, however, had trouble occasionally, but I have always been able to attend to these matters myself, for I have a good understanding with a U. S. Attorney, who helps me out.

Regarding money, it would be the best thing if most of the Compensation to the men could be withheld. They may have dependent families, so no uniform rule could guide us in our action. I do not think it should be left to the Commanding Officer, for in the first place, we do not know how much money the men should receive.

With regard to the matter of smuggling into the reservation, I sent a request to the Surgeon General to be allowed to put up a fence but I have never heard from it. I am going to recommend to my successor that he call attention to that matter again. The reservation at Fort Lyon covers 1100 acres, and a portion should be enclosed with a fence. There has been much stealing there, and we have often found the stolen articles in houses around the reservation. The building of a fence would be expensive, but it would counter-balance the loss of government property.

For the benefit of the gentlemen who may succeed at Fort Lyon soon, I might say that when I was ordered to Fort Lyon I was very much grieved; I knew it was in a desert, and everybody who had been there gave such a discouraging report. My sentiment in that matter has changed to such an extent that if the place had remained in the hands of the Navy, I should have liked to have remained there. We are a happy family of about fourteen commissioned officers and we have formed a little community of ourselves, being independent of the outside world to a large extent. We have our power house, ice plant, community house, social meetings, and in fact we are as independent as can be.

During the flood, we were able, for about two weeks to attend to our own things, and after that we were able to help the outsiders. So, to those gentlemen I want to say that they need not be disconsolate upon receiving orders to go to Fort Lyon.

I think it is ideal for the T. B. patients. We have the dry climate, constant sun-shiny days, cool nights, and everything conducive to the proper treatment of T. B. Everything is complete, and the people are greatly benefited by their stay in our vicinity, as can be attested by the fact that many former Navy People, who had been in the institution, are now living there and are as strong as any person in the East.

I might say that the people who have had T. B. and who are doing well out west had better make up their minds to stay our there for fear that change of conditions might bring about activity again in their cases.

Regarding a uniform system of treatment as suggested, I do not believe any strict rules should be set. We can have a sort of general system, but no uniform method as to the hours of rest, food, etc. At Fort Lyon, rest is now being enforced, and every patient gets two rest periods, i. e., from 9 to 11 A.M. and from 1 to 3 P.M. Liberty is allowed only once a week; and overnight, once a month. Those who would be discontented anywhere have left, and those who have stayed feel they have our sympathy and support and are doing well.

GENERAL SAWYER asked for resolutions from the Resolutions Committee.

GENERAL IRELAND: “Your committee has gone over the resolutions that have been presented, and we find all of them in order, with the exception of one submitted by Colonel Bratton with reference to transportation home. We would inform you that there will have to be legislation to carry out that resolution. We have changed the resolution to read as follows:

‘That the Director of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau be requested to secure legislation so that the expenses of the patient’s transportation to his bona fide home, when he has been discharged for disciplinary reasons, be deducted from his compensation, when compensation is being given, or may be given thereafter.’

As changed, I recommend that the resolution be adopted by the meeting as read.”

This Motion was seconded, and carried.

CAPTAIN N. J. BLACKWOOD, U. S. N.:—The Committee on Forms has held two meetings at which the general subject of this work was discussed and plans agreed upon. This work is so great that your Committee finds it impossible to report more than progress at present. The whole matter must be gone into carefully and thoroughly in order to avoid mistakes and duplications of the past. The work, to be a success, will require frequent meetings, careful study and cooperation. Therefore, it seems wise that all members of the Committee be officers on duty in Washington, and I recommend that the present chairman, Captain Blackwood, be relieved, and that his place be filled by Captain M. S. Elliott, Commanding Officer of the Naval Hospital; also, that all Commanding Officers here present shall, as soon as possible after returning to their respective commands, take up the subject of forms and paper work regarding Veterans’ Bureau patients, and as soon thereafter as possible submit to the Veterans’ Bureau, Washington, recommendations and suggestions for the elimination, provision and simplification both of the forms themselves and their numbers.

Upon receipt of these letters, your Committee will then take up the whole subject in a more comprehensive way and will, as soon as possible, submit its recommendations for your consideration and approval.

The MOTION was seconded and carried.

Meeting adjourned at 12:30 P. M.

Eighth Session Friday, January 20, 1922.

Honorable Charles H. Burke presiding.

The roll was called by Dr. W. A. White.

MR. BURKE: “We will proceed with the afternoon program. The first subject is “Foreign Relations of the U.S. Veterans’ Bureau in care of ex-soldiers of the former allied countries.” It will be discussed by Dr. F. D. Hester of the Veterans’ Bureau”.

DR. HESTER: read as follows:

“FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE U.S. VETERANS’ BUREAU

IN CARE OF

EX-SOLDIERS OF THE FORMER ALLIED COUNTRIES.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: