The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-08-20
VETERANS TO ASK
 A STATE BONUSf
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 Garlick, Morris Paine, Dr. W. P. Heating and E. l.. Averill.
 Colonel W. J. Aloe, of Springfield, commanding officer of the local re- cruiting district arrived at this mo- ment, and was warmly greeted by the convention. .tf
 In addressing the delegates, Col onel Aloe spoke of the binding fel- lowship which unites the American Legion and the regular army, and asked for the cooperation of the legion with army men. He said that the high ideals of the organization are especially needed at this time to stamp out the rottenness of radicalism and Bolshev:sm which is flooding the country. The colonel also had a few words to say regarding the Victory medal, and asked that more Bridge port ex-service men apply for the trophy. Only 300 local veterans has thus far made application. In con- clusion, Colonel Aloe told of the re- marka.ble work of the regular army men during the war. and pleaded with the delegates to refrain from ''knocking' the regular army, saying that the legion should have the same friendly feeling towards the army as is extended by the army to the Amer ican Legion.
 At the conclusion of Colonel Aloe's address, Mayor Clifford B. Wilson en- tered the hall, and his coming was welcomed by an enthusiastic outburst of applause which lasted several min uteS. Someone in the crowd shout ed ''our next governor" and the en- thusiasm grew more intense, finally winding up with cheers for the mayor.
 Mayor Wilson delivered the official address of welcome, in which he eX- tended Bridgeport's greetings to the delegates, and expressed the hope that more conventions would be held in Bridgeport. The mayors speech was not a long one, but he urged the legion members to keep up their present spirit, inasmuch as a will to win is now as necessary as during the war, in order that social condi- tions throughout the country may be bettered. Mayor Wilson wished the legion all success, and expressed the hope that the public will cooperate in carrying out the legion's commend | able ends.
 The first mutterings regarding the expected bonus fight were heard | when Alfred N. Phillips, of Stamford, 1 first Connecticut Department Com ! mander, took the floor. The Stam- ford man declared that the organiza- 1 ton has been split by the bonus ques- 1 ton, and urged the members to stand 1 together on this point despite outside ] influence which he alleged has been brought to bear for the purpose of | creating a break within the ranks. l Phillips declared that now ais the time ] when the legion needs strong leaders 1 to handle it's policies, and no program
 except a constructive one can be l adopted
 1 At 12 o'clock a recess was declared | for the purpose of holding district l caucuses to elect chairmen. Seven
 districts are represented in the con vention. The First district includes ! Hartford county and posts fl and 1 62; Second district, New Haven coun- | ty and post 66; Third district, Fair 1 field county; Fourth district, Wind- ] ham and, Holland counties; Fifth dis 1 trict New London county; Sixth dis | trict, Litchfield county and Seventh | district, Middlesex county.
 Of the many resolutions to be sub
 mitted to the convention today, for 1 consideration by the Resolutions com | mittee tonight, the most important | are those concerning a bonus for ex-
 service men of Connecticut. A number | of delegates expressed the opinion
 this m orning. that this state will prob
 ably be asked to give a S1o0 bonus the same as did other New England
 states. One resolution which will be presented will. if passed. place the
 convention on record as favoring a
 state bonus. Committees will be ap-
 pointed by each post to interview
 sta te representatives and senators, and
 gain their views on the matter. and these officials will also be inform ed
 of the action taken by other New
 England states on the bonus question.
 Bridgeport members of the legion are reported as being ready to com
 bat any direct bonus plan with the ] following bill which has been pre-
 pared by Dr. Frederic c. Adams, of
 this city. The bill, which is as foi-
 lows, suggests paid up insurance | policies instead of a cash bonus: