El Nuevo mexicano., 1920-04-15

HAGk BESIREa 70 LEARN HOW
RANK AND FILE STANDS ON
PROPOSED LEGISLATION.


State Commander Herman Bacs,
of tho American Legion, has issued
a circular letter to the New Mexico
posts asking for expressions as ~
how the men IN this state stand n
regard to inc proposed legislative
program. The circular follows:
Belen, New Mexico,
April IL. 1920.
10 Members State Executive
Committee, Post Commanders
am enclosing a Q Of the Soldier
Relief bill presented to congress BY
the national executive committee. This
bill represents the labors Of the legis-
latiTe committee, To which has been
added the careful thought and criti-
cism of the national executive com
mittee.
The state executive committee at it's
l~asttmeeting endorsed the bill in prin
cfol9, but refused to make any definite
request of the New Mexico senators
ana congressman until a definite meas
ure had been drafted.
The time has now come for usto
take action Ii this respect, il Is there
fore most important for me to know
the attitude Of the state organization
so that action may be taken accord
ingly.
The bin was submitted to congress
after a full meeting OF the national
executive committee, including one
member FROM every state. Only six
states held out against the bonus be
ING included as one OF the four alter
native features OF the bill. New Mex
leo wa represented BY J. D. Atwood,
alternate national committeeman who
voted for the bill as IL now stands.
Mr.. Atwood has written t. me EN-
phasizing the need for speedy action
adding THE following information
After considering this proposed
bill carefully | voted for It in it's en-
tiety, ais It represents a compromise
OF the various demands from different
elements within the organization
Among the former enlisted men, and
especially in the east, there Is a strong
and insistent demand for a cash BIO. /,
nus, aud II we had proposed legisla-
ton with such a demand omitted those
would have felt that they had
not been fairly represented OF consid
cred in the deliberations Of the execu-
tive committee. We e~ndeayored to !
make the other three options SO much
more desirable than the cash payment
That many men who originally would
selected a cash bonus would I'M
stead apply FOR one OF the other forms
relief. iii addition | endeavored 70
Ell amendment to the proposed !
hi which would give exAserVice men ]
The option of purchasing public lands /
md receiving credit on same for their I
period OF service. The Legislative !
committee was Of the opinion that thu 4
secretary Of the interior can make Z
sStch sales Under other provisions cor !
aimed in the BIN. but I wanted the ex \
seryice men 10 BE excused from resi- \
iencs on such land, and also wanted Z
.he cohditionssof the sale to BE spsci i
led fl the bin, Accordingly differed !
IA amendment. The executive coma :
nitteea. BY resolution, referred Il T. b
he legislative committee for action i
3s agreement with the legislative I
.ommltsce ! am 10 have this amend
ncrt TO she Bill submitted By onc q 4
liz New Mexico delegation Al the
,rorer time. and / am sure Il win be 4
ONE a paff of the bin when finaiiy
assed. have already given copies 4
Z the amendment TO senator Jones
I'D congressman Hernandez
Plaase eiTe this matter your sefious
consideration and lef me know 3 s
nee Inc position which you think ous
.tate Organization SHOULD take With r. 4
.ard Is the proposed bill
Sincerely yours, 3
HERMAN G. BACA, c