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But under these conditions the private contribution helps rather than hampers the effectiveness of the national plan.

It may be remarked in passing that the facilities built up for war cripples will not be entirely temporary, but that part will be continued to provide re-training for industrial cripples a class more numerous even in time of war than disabled soldiers, but one whose needs have in the past been seriously neglected. This may be one beneficent outcome of belligerency.

A concrete program for the reconstruction of disabled American soldiers and sailors has not, at this writing, been determined upon. It is clear, however, that the responsibility for this work will be nationally assumed. The details of system and method can easily be worked out under competent administration, but it is imperative that definite action be taken without delay so that preparation of facilities for our returning men can be set at once under way.

Let us discharge, to the highest possible degree, the nation's obligation to the war cripple. Let us so act in this greatest of all wars as to mitigate the shame of his treatment in the past.