Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War
History
Conference of Officers in Charge of Government Hospitals Serving Veterans of the World War
Medicine, Military; Military hospitals; World War, 1914-1918 -- Veterans -- Medical care -- United States
Many features of our work are, I recognize, trying and a thousand and
one annoyances are a part of each day’s work. Keeping before us at all
times the meaning of the work involved is a great aid to the elimination
of misunderstanding, and personal conferences serve to smooth out and
adjust overlapping of authority. One ex-service man maimed or injured,
replaced into his particular niche of our social fabric should make us
feel appreciative of what our work means, and the knowledge that we are
rebuilding men who have suffered in the service of our country, should
fortify us very strongly against the annoyances and trials which must
sink into insignificance when compared with the work done. I know that
you all realize this and that your every effort and energy is bent to
the accomplishment of the purpose for which we are all working together;
that we are making headway in the proper direction is beyond question;
that we are helping to rebuild the disabled is becoming more apparent as
our work goes along, and we all, I know, are not only proud that we are
having a part in this work, but feel privileged that our services are
helping to bring about these ends.”
Upon the conclusion of Dr. Guthrie’s paper, the subject-matter of the
several papers read during the morning session was thrown open to
discussion, the presiding officer remarking in this connection that full
opportunity would be given to all to freely express themselves. With
reference to the matter of the issuance of so-called conflicting orders,
which had been referred to, he stated that the administration of the
Veterans’ Bureau is regulated by certain laws upon which these orders
were based, and that when such laws are changed, it of course becomes
necessary to revoke certain orders in force at the time. He added that
the matter of hospitalization, thrown suddenly upon the Public Health
Service and the U. S. Veterans’ Bureau is a tremendous undertaking and
that those who carry on this work are entitled to the sympathy of all
good people.
COL. BRATTON: wished to place himself on record as saying that there is
nobody who is in greater sympathy with the wounded soldier, whom he
would like to see receive all that a grateful Government can give, but
that due to the very liberality of the Sweet Bill, cases have crept in
whereby compensation is being received for disabilities in no way
connected with the service. He stated that the Sweet Bill does not
clearly define what the line of duty shall be and that he is amazed at
the number of cases that are being carried along and hospitalized; that
he is of the opinion that the gentlemen in Congress do not realize how
liberal this act is and that men would receive compensation for diseases
which existed prior to their coming into service. He offered the
following motion amending section 300 of the Sweet Bill, to be
incorporated in a resolution to Congress as coming from this body, which
resolution was adopted:
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