GENERAL SAWYER: “The subject with which Dr. White has dealt is so important that it will have more consideration later in the program, as you will notice.
It is quite necessary in the operation of all affairs with which Americans or even any of the human family deal, to have somebody who knows something of the legislative procedure that is necessary to the conduct of their affairs.
Honorable Charles H. Burke was added to the Hospitalization Board for two reasons: first, because he does represent in his great family many hospitals, the services of many doctors, likewise of many nurses. He therefore comes to us, being a Congressman of long experience, as a man who can deal with the subject partly from a professional aspect or view of the matter, and again with a thorough and complete understanding of the legal side of the affairs with which we are dealing.
So I have great and special pleasure this morning in presenting to you the Honorable Charles H. Burke, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who will address you briefly on the statutory regulations affecting the hospitalization of the World War Veteran.”
BURKE: “Mr. Chairman, fellow members, ladies and gentlemen:
I think in the introduction of General Sawyer I learned for the first time how it happened that I was accorded the honor and the privilege of being a member of an organisation made up of such a distinguished membership as is this Board, barring your humble servant.
It would hardly be expected, after listening to these discussions by these eminent experts in their particular lines, that I would undertake to say anything along the scientific side of this proposition, and I am going to be rather general in what I state in the short time I shall talk to you.
Government activities can only exist by reason of the law, and so it will be proper to consider perhaps or discuss briefly the application of the law with reference to the activities that are being conducted, of which you, each of you, are a part.
The responsibility for whatever the Government may do in this or any other matter rests largely upon the Congress. I have hastily gone through the legislation that has been enacted in the last few years with reference to taking care of and providing for the ex-service men, and during the war for their dependents, and for those who might become incapacitated or disabled from any cause. There has been much legislation, demonstrating that the Congress is keenly alive to the importance of the situation. There has been one act after another, and hardly an act but what has been amended within a very short time after its enactment.