New-York tribune., 1919-12-17
Legion Insists
OnQuiok Relief
For Ex-Soldiers
False Economy by Govern
ment Will Lead to Serious
Difficulties Later. D'Olier
Tells Congress
Legislation Is Demanded
Immediate Action Is De-
clared Necessary if Men
Get Just Treatm ent

WASHINGTON. Dec 10 The Amer
Scan Legion, through Franklin D'Olier,
its grand commander. called on Con-
gress tonight for immediate enact
ment OF legislation giving discharged
service men 'the consideration they de
serve at the hands OF their govern
ment.' Mr.. D'Olier, in formal state
ment, warned that no policy of false
respect to the disabled service men If
SERIOUS difficulties" are to be avoi
later by the government
Principles upon which the present
government insurance laws we're
founded were described by Nh D'Oler
as being "entirely sound" but the
existing legislation "entirely made
quate." He added that as a result Of
informal conferences o-day between
members of Congress and delegates TO
the convention it was evident that
Congress is not yet alive to the
necessities of the situation"
1T is plainly evident to the confer
ence Of American Legion representa-
tives," the Legion commanders state
ment said, that if the disabled serv
ice men and their families and all ex-
service persons in the United States
are to receive just and liberal consid-
Grafton at the hands Of the govern
ment, which the people Of this country
intended they should receive, lmmedl-
ate action on the part of Congress is
absolutely necessary.
Immediate Action Urged
Each state commander presented to-
day to the Senators and Congres ssmen
from his state specific legislation. en-
bodied in amendments. 20 the Sweet
and Wason bills, which, If enacted, Will
secure to the veterans of the Great
War adequate and liberal service from
the Bureau OF War Risk Insurance, the
Federal Board for Vocational Educa-
tion and the Public Health Service.
1T is of vital Importance not only
TO ex-servlce persons, especially the
disabled and their families. but also
tc the people OF the whole country,
that this Legislation be enacted with
out delay. Ex-service men and women
are not satisfied with existing leglsla-
ton and regulations affecting their
welfare. Only through such measures
as are now recommended by the Amer
lean Legion and approved by the re-
sponsible government officials OF the
bureaus concerned can the disabled
men and women obtain adequate treat
ment and efficient service.
Congress Not Alive to the Situation"
LAS result OF individual confer
ences with Senators and members Of
Congress the state commanders of the
American Legion do not feel that Con-
gress is yet alive to the necessities
of the situation. 1t viii be most un-
fny,f,r "a fO t,,aD a mi
lies and to the country at large if
the policy of false economy now pur-
sued toward them is permitted TO pre-
vail at their expense. Serious diff
culties may be avoided later by
changes now.
THE principle upon which the legs =
lation establishing the Bureau of War
Risk Insurance and the Federal Board
for Vocational Education WIS enacted
is sound, but existing legislation and
regulations are both unjust and in
adequate. 1t also Will be unfortunate
if the feeling on the part of members
of Congress created by past and pres
ent inefficiency of government bureaus
affecting the interest and welfare OF
eX-service persons is permitted to
stand in the way of immediate legisla-
tion signed to correct the situation
Unless such legislation is enacted
promptly it Will be impossible fol
service men to get the consideration
they desire at the hands of their gov
ernment."
President Greets Delegates
Greetings were extended the dele
gates day by Pres dent Wilson ir
a letter to Il. g. Cholmeley-Joncs, di
rector of the Bureau of War Risk IN
surancc. at whose invitation the con
ference was called.
May ASK" the President wrote
that you be kind enough TO conve.
my warm greetings to all who may at
tend this conference and express m.
regret that l must deny myself th'
pleasure of receiving them in person.
A message also was received from
General Pershing, who said he favored
a liberal attitude toward disabled sol
diers and that he felt sure Congress
would enact the legislation necessar.
to providc for them properly.
"In addition to the permanetly dis
abled," the general added, there ar
many former soldiers who are tempo
rarily disabled. and whose needs ar
Just as pressing as those who are per
manently incapacitated."
Resolutions thanking President vii
son for his message Of welcome an
expressing the hope that he Nigh
soon De ItSlotSu " HtdlNu. ana AIS
thanking Colonel Cholmeley-J ones 70
inaugurating and fathering the meet
ing were adopted unanimously by tn
delegates.
Vocational Training Methods Criticize
Grievances of one-time service me
against the governments vocationa
training methods were laid before tn
legion conference to-day by Corneliu
w. Wickersham, of New York, who dc
manded that definite and concrete aC