The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-02-26
Mr.. Ilagan Explains.

Editor World 1t Is with no little reluctance
that request the privilege OF trespassing upon
your generosity for the purpose OF noticing, to
some extent, the letter relative to bonuses for
soldiers, appearing In your issue for February
23rd and signed A. Davidson Mr.. Davidson
further subscribes himself Member of Douglas.
County Post" AZ there is no such legion post
In oklahoma, take 1t that Mr.. Davidson is
visitor in the state. However, am notinclined
to object To his criticism on that ground, al
though, of course. would naturally attach moro
importance to 1t had 1t emanatcd from a mem
bcr OF the oklahoma branch of the legion.
MIR. DavdsUrs letter seems to be double bar
relied The soldiers who did not get overseas
are the victims Of one barrel. while tho entire
Cpilian population Is the object of the attack OF
the other
So far rs there is concerned the men who
ala not servo overseas, | desire to call Mr.
Dayidson's attention to the fact that he Is en-
tirely mstakep when he assumes that the bonus
plan, approved by the national executive com
mittee, contcmpatcs a graduated scale. 1t pro-
poses to give $50 bond FOR every month Of
service and there Is absolutely nothing in the
outline 'of the plan submitted to indicate that
the man who spent two years with the First di-
vision will obtain cent more than the man
who served two years on this side So the in
sinuation that my objection really to a
graduated bonus' necessarily loses its point
so far as Mr. Davidson's onslaught the
civilian population is concerned, cannot escape
the conviction that the great bulk of the civiia
population IN composed of the father and moth
crs and wives and brothers and sisters OF those
who were In service and ] doubt very much
whether they deserve Mr.. Davidson's diatribe.
Mr. Davidson appears to think that We in
oklahoma are selfish and are unmindful OF our
poorer buddies in the east. IL is hardly neces-
sary TO call MIR. Davdsons attention to the fact
that the opposition to the action of the national
executive committee comes from all sections OF
the country and is not restricted to Oklahoma.
so far the east is concerned It might be
noted that the chairman and secretary of the
New York County American legion have both
issued ringing protests,
Mir, Davidson refers to my "denunclation of
Mr. DOlier," the national commander OF the
legion, My letter was directed solely against
the action of "a minority OF the national execu-
tive committee and did not contain a syllable
/ that could, by the most elastic stretch Of the
Imagination, be termed denunciation. So far as
MIR DOHcr Is concerned, the writer has for
him the deepest respect and esteem.
Mr.. Davidson asserts that the returned over
seas veterans are skeptical OF the legion The
writer OF this letter has visited many posts OF
the legion In this state and does not hesitate to
say that such II statement Ia incorrect - far as
Oklahoma is concerned. From actual expert
encc with conditions in Oklahoma, have
formed the conclusion that returned overseas
| men form the bulk OF the membership Of the
! legion in this state and furnish its most active
! workers
| cannot refrain from observing that the en-.
tire tone OF Mr. Davdsons letter is, In m,
! opinion, most regrottable aud the sentiments
! ne cherishes not those held by the great
majority OF the legion members in this state
| and not such as Will help to make thc
American legion great factor for the promo.
/ ton OF the general welfare of our country but
on the contrary they will necessarily force the
Legion 10 degenerate into an organization whose
primary purpose is the obtaining from the gov
| ernment of material benefits for It's members
The writer Of this letter is not opposed to al
beneficial legislation for eN-service men. II,
! believes that the legion must adopt, as practi,
| caliy its chief obligation the obtaining of the
most liberal compensa ton possible for wounded
and disabled men and for the widows and or.
! phans OF those who died IN the service. He alsc
believes that the government should promptly
| extend land aid to the veterans OF this war and
should, by liberal loans, the easiest possible
plan Of payment, assist them In obtaining homes
/ such plans work for permanent relief and alsr
are of great benefit TO the country, for undoubt
edly the home owner s the backbone OF inc
nation. But any plan of a cash bonus is neces.
| sarily inadequate and temporary far as relief
/ is concerned; and is moreover, certain further
/ to initiate and disorGanze the already disturbed
! finances of the country, Respectfully yours
IL, Ii, HAGAN.
Tulsa, Okla, Feb 90. 1890,