Arizona republican., 1919-07-05
ELkS AID MANY
 ESSENCE MEN
 ID LEARN TRADE
Phoenix Lodge Joins with Federal Board in Prepar- ing Veterans for Future Self-Supporting Life

The National Elks War Relief com mission, which is cooperating with the United States government in the vocational training of disabled soldiers, sailors and marines, has been greatly concerned by reports constantly com ing to it of dissatisfaction over the operation of the present law on this subject, among the disabled men and their dependents.
 The following statement on the sit uation was given to the press by John K Tener, former governor of Penn sylvania apd a past grand exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, who is chairman of the Elks War Relief commission, which has ap- prepriated $250O00 for carrying on this work with headquarters in New York city:
 "I am told that compensation paid 10 the dependents of our men who were killed, or to our soldiers, sailors and marines disabled in the fighting in France, is in many instances much less than the amounts paid to the veterans of the Civil War or the Span ish-American war under the old pen sion system.
 T am also informed that thousands of dependents of American soldiers, sailors and marines who were killed or wounded have been waiting in vain for compensation due them.
 Elks Eager to Assist
 At least one other government is making more liberal financial provision for it's disabled soldiers than is the United States government. The gov ernment referred to pays it's disabled soldiers who are taking vocational training an average of one and one half times the amount per month per man that is paid by the United States to its disabled men.
 There are ample funds in the United States treasury to take care of our disabled fighters. l believe these funds should be expended in wise and proper manner. I also believe that vocational training for disabled men, 10 fit them for self-support and inde- pendence, is a wise and constructive policy on the part of the government and that we should not be niggardly in following out that policy in the interest of our disabled war heroes.
 'The National Elks War Relief com- mission was glad to be in a position to assist in making this work a sue cess. Our principal aim in going into it was to provide immediate relief where it could not be given under the technical provisions of the law and all the weight of our influence, as well, l am sure of that of the entire mem bership of the Benevolant and Pro- tective Order of Elks, will be thrown in favor of liberal and generous but wise financial assistance for our dis abled war veterans.
 Phoenix Lodge Active
 Phoenix Lodge Number 335 B. P. O E., since the very inauguration of the movement has taken an active interest in this relief work. Martin Weyant is chairman of the committee in charge and the other members are Joseph P Kehpe and Henry M. Tuckey. Wey- ant~was secretary of the local draft board for 21 months and has been ir close touch with the service men since the beginning of the war. The loca soldiers friend committee of the B P. O. E. has been of service to man, ex-service men in Phoenix who were wounded and disabled in service. TC date there have been no local case. which the government compensation and vocational education provisions dc not cover, but the Elks committed through it's close cooperation with tht federal board for vocational education at San Francisco has been able to ge quick action on the cases brought tf their attention.
 The fact that the committee is abl, to come into frequent and persona contact with the applicants is also O great advantage to both the men anC the federal board, and saves mucI time and unnecessary correspondence Through the efforts of the committe, and particularly of Martin Meyant it's chairman, many disabled servic, men are now taking vocational train ing at the governments expense, sev eral of them in Phoenix George F Davis of Wickenburg is taking a com mercial course at Lamson's Bushes, College, Joseph Lynch is being trained to be an assayer, and Fred Gray il learning the undertaking business. be sides seven other boys who are bein, trained in the mechanical trades here The Elks have also helped over 15 returned soldiers, sailors and marines to find jobs, and have co-operatet with excellent results with the em ployment division of the soldiers an, sailors club.
 Sets Them Up in Business
 There are many cases where soldier who have fought the enemy and hav suffered disabilities are outside th, purview of the compensatory and vo catonal education laws passed b, congress. The Elks relief fund vii enable the federal board to care fo these cases whereas without it tn board would be powerless to aid them Not only are these disabled patriot trained and made economically inde pendent, but they are set up in busi ness. And here is where one of tn most valuable features of the Elk movement may be seen. They see {, t that the new enterprise does no lack patronage.
 The committee is anxious to be Q service to all veterans of the grea war who are disabled or in anywis incapacitated while in the service O the United States or any of the allie and requests that anyone knowing O any will please direct them to se Martin Weyant at the Elks club in tn Elks theater building, telephone 727.
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 THE ROOSEVELT TRADITION