Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-05-26
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS
A CASE IN POINT.

The American legion of soldiers and
sailors who fought IN the world war
had not long TO wait IN measuring the
degree of consideration the organlza-
ton receives from autocrattc civilian
cabinet members of the administration
at Washington.
The chairman of the legion conven-
ton at st. Louis, a democrat chosen
for the honor through the active sup
port of Colonel Roosevelt, who did
not desire to inject politics into the
organization, has been angrily scpa-
rated from a position at Washington
His offense was against the dignity
Of Secretary Glass of the treasury
department, where red tape, autocracy
and incompetency were holding back
settlements due to soldiers and their
needy families entitled to benefits un-
der the war-rislt insurance provisions
made by congress.
Henry d. Linsley the elected Off
cial head of the American legion is
the veteran who drew the fire of the
secretary of the treasury. The place
Linsley gave w was accepted only
that he might hasten settlements in
the interest of the people entitled to
benefits. There are many such who
have long been neglected, all over
the country.
From the very first the war risk bu-
reau failed to function efficiently, and
its failure became almost a national
scandal. Some six months ago it be-
came necessary to reorganize the
whole system and the administration
announced that henccforth harrass-
ing, inquisitive methods and delays
would be avoided. so money would
quickly reach parties having claims,
Linsley was selected to be director
of the bureau and was told he could
have a free hand in organizing his
staff and in shaping policies and
plans to make them effective. Ills
experience in business. and his zeal
for the welfare of the soldiers were
be satisfactory to complaining
country and an indignant soldicry.
Linsley had been a working banker
in Texas, and mayor of Dallas. On
the day his Dallas term ended he en-
rolled for training at Plattsburg. made
good, was appointed a major, was
promoted to colonel in France and
later was assigned to manage war
risk affairs in France, among the
forces.
Then he was called to Washington
and made civilian head of the bureau,
to straiGhten it out and make its pur-
pose effective But he soon found
that exactions and petty rules impeded
progress and treasury heads sought to
control the staff of assistants selected
by him.
Protesting without avail that an
other breakdown in the system was
likely under their eXactions, Director
Linsley finally wrote to the secretary
that the department needed director
in whom it had confidence.
The secretary. instead of discussing
and adjusting matters. chose to call
for the resignation of the earnest Of
fetal, and gave to the press an angry
personal statement about the breach
of courtesy made by Linsey.
Linsley, being no longer able to
work from the inside for, the intereste
OF the soldiers, announces that his
time from now on will be given to
organization Of the American legion.
Following the director. several as
sistants chosen from among banking
and insurance experts, resigned. Now
another reorganization will further
impede settlement of delayed war-risk
insurance claims.