The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-03-04

Ine veterans packed the big audi-
torium and stood in the rear OF the
hail and In adjoining rooms. strain
ing forward To hear every word Of
the bitter arraignment OF the state
senate by the speakers.
The keynote OF the meeting was
struck by Russ simonton. naval re.
serve yeoman. who moved that the
organization exert every means 10
obtain a reconsideration Of the mea-
sure.
sThe so-eaiied veterans welfare
act is abortivc legislation" he de.
ciared. Il, makes paupers OF vet.
Grams and officiailys declares that
soldiers and sailors are mcndicants.
IL offers aims TO heroes and iegalizes
their begging. The men and the
women OF this state whose sacrifices
will always be remembered by every
man in uniform. will never approve
the action OF their representatives.
who. at the ins,igation of the lum
bcr interests. have defeated the only
measure which would give fighters
honorable passport TO civilian life
and make easy q return to the
places they formerly held.
Too Proud TO Beg"
II ask that this organization 20 on
record absolutely and irrevccably in
favor OF the I.amping bill. and that
It's officers be authorized to fight
to the last ditch this attempt TO de-
clare us beggars."
Following Simonton. many mem
bcrs rose TO speak on the resolution.
and all OF them supported It in We
hement language.
Statements read by two members
Of the organization not present. who
favored the Lamping bill, but who
believed that the veterans welfare
act was good legislation, were bit
terly attacked by almost every
speaker. and when the vote was
taken. not single voice was raised
against the resolution.
Sergt. II. II. Murray. one speaker,
coined the phrase. Not too proud to
fight. but too proud to beg" which
met instant favor with the veterans.
and was embodied in telegram ad
dressed 10 Senator Thomle. OF Ev-
erett whose wavering defeated the
bill in the senate. The telegram
read:
Text of Telegram
American Legions OF Liberty.
having a membership of 4.0o2. AT
Seattle meeting Monday evening. at
tended by thousand members,
unanimously goes on record oppos-
ing any further appropria ton on
Conner bill at this time. We EN-.
phatically and unanimously indorse
the Lamping bill. defeated this day,
and respectfully request that you
move reconsideration in senate Tues
day. and Join with senators voting
in favor of it. Our sentiment is
We are not too proud to fight, but
we are too proud to beg"
An attempt to obtain an explana.
ton OF the appearance of state
ment published in n morning news.
paper last week. and purporting TO
express opposition to the Lampins
bill as the opinion OF the veterans,
was met with the demand that the
TWO fnttnutiS WIZ fN'At i'SP'hSipit
for the statement, and who were alb.
sent upon legion business, be given
an opportunity to talk in their own
behalf at the meeting next Monday
night
Civilian Chceretl
A letter. written by l.. l. Jacob
sen. a civilian. was read to the meet.
ing. and was greeted with applause
Jacobsen declared himself on record
as a proponent of all legislation in
favor of returned men. and de-
nounced the action of the senate.
Cleon II. Roe, OF the civilian relief
committee of the Seattle chapter of
the Red Cross, told the veterans of
the work of the organization during
the war. and received a vote of
thanks at the conclusion of his ad.
dress
4 bill now pending before the leg
islature. which provides an appropri
alton of $4,000 for the Improvement
OF the Old soldiers Home. at Ort.
ing. was unanimously indorsed by
the veterans.
w~eeut've secretary " T Han