Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-05-24
cATrrpDAy MAY "a, 1918
LEGION WORK PLANNED.

A great opportunity is ouen for the
members of the American Legion
working together to show to congress
and to the country faults within the
army organization that was so hur-
riedly assembled. That it had serious
imperfectlons through lack of prep
aration and experience was inevitable
That abuses of authorit" and con-
tinuatlon of discrimination may not
continue, every thing bearing upon
such conditions should be brought to
light. There is no need to make the
campaign for better service one of re-
taliation upon officers who have not
made good or who have been unwlse
and unjust. There is plenty of con-
structive criticism that should be
given without desire TO retaliate. Com
plants can be s!ftcd and investigated
and recommendations made TO secure
safeguards against perpetuation or
repetition Of abuses.
If men generally believe IN unlver-
sal military service; if they believe in
preparedness; if they believe in better
court martial methods. after the ac-
tual tryouts to which the troops have
been subjected, the soldiers should
make their opinion known.
The legion caucus and the conven-
ton of the National Guard both unan-
imously approved of a resolution in
troduced by Colonel Roy II. Flalnm
of the New Mexico National Guard
urging congress to enact legislation to
place on an equal basis as to retire
ment for disability incurred in active
service in the recent war, all officers
and enlisted personnel of the military
and naval forces.
The legion delegates consider it
great injustice to discriminate. They
hold that all officers disabled in ac-
tive service should receive the same
consideration in matters of retirement,
irrespective of whether they entered
the army from the reserve corps. the
National Guard, or the National army.
Under our present system of retire
ment it is possible for a colonel of the
regular army who has been disabled
during this war to retire at more than
$500 per annum, while a colonel
who entered the army from the Ma
fional Guard, the Reserve Corps or
the National army can receive only
the sum Of $50 per month from the
bureau Of war risk insurance, if he is
single, and Sf5 if he has wife to
support. To receive this amount he
must be totally disabled.
The same discrimination exists with
regard to officers of lesser rank re-
firing on smaller pay. Most assurcdly
an officer entering from civilian life
and made unable to resume his voca-
ton, should be as well cared for as
one from the regular army who was
disabled by the war.
One feature of army life that should
be reformed, if complaints be true, is
the inequality of opportunity for re-
tenton and promotion of officers
risen from the ranks or Of volunteers
who took training and wish to remain
permanently in the service
An editorial in this paper under the
caption Of What the Legion May
Do brought a letter from the wife
of a discharged officer. written with
out his knowledge and with the belief
that he would disapprove of making Il
personal matter of his mstreatment
Il am not writing for publication"
concluded the writer woman whose
letter was not in an angry and in
temperate tone. because ! am still
afraid of the military system, but
: ever since this soldier has been in the
army it has been hush. hush over
injustces that have aroused my
fighting blood. My husband was a
good soldier, subservient to orders,
but l have knicked over the traces"
The fighter referred to was fore
man IN small industry. and with
consent of his wife took an exanina-
ton for officer being the highest in
a class Of nearly two score. lie was
made second lieutenant and sent TO
France. After two years he was pro-
NOTED to first lieutenant. Upon being
promised captaincy in the quarter
master force he secured transfer
thereto but another was given the
position, through personal favortism.
il is said.
Returning to the United States with
his division the lieutenant was sent
to camp, given a furiough and was
promised a temporary assignment
would be given to him upon expira-
fion Of the flirlough. Upon returning
TO camp the officer who made the