New-York tribune., 1920-02-20
Majority Of Legion
Here Back Bonuses
Action of Board in Going
Counter to Convention
May Cause Friction

But whether the action of the
Legion's national committee in going
counter to the; decision made at the
Minneapolis convention last November,
when it was finally planned after
stormy debates to allow Congress to
proceed as it saw fit in the matter, will
precipitate a row in the Legion that
may destroy many of the accomplish
ments and seriously affect the progress
of the organization is the subject o
general discussion.
George Brokaw Compton, chairman
of the county organization, when in
formed yesterday of the newest action
of the national committee, declared:
II believe such action IS unreprescnta
tive of the sentiment of the legion as
voiced at the national convention at
Minneapolis. I am not opposed to suit
able provision for disabled persons and
for others who need aid, but any fiat
bonus to all shows to my mind that
the spirit of the convention is being
altogether forgotten"
Loans for Disabled Men
Lucien S. Breckenridge, who is Sec
retary Of the county organization,
voiced much the same sentiment. "The
American Legion" said be, "has taken
the position that the disabled should
be provided for generously and that the
able bodied really in need of financial
assistance for reestablishing themselves
in business should be helped by long
term loans at low interest, or some
other method. 1t has felt, and this was
the prevailing opinion at the last con-
vention, that the ability of the govern
LII H., Ia
not be diminished by the payment of
fiat bonus to hundreds of thousands
who don't need financial assistance"
According to Harold Zulauf, member
of Yonkers Post No. 7, and state and
national delegate for that post, West
chester County is virtually 100 per
cent in favor of bonus. and he said
that he believes the entire state ap-
proves a bonus. Referring to the op-
position of Mr.. Compton and Mr..
Breckenridge, of the local county or
ganization, Mr.. Zulauf said: "Just q
little common sense would tell the
New York County spokesmen that our
national committee is acting in ac-
which are entirely different from last
November. l know great many fine
New York County members, but it
makes me tired to read of a small
group who think their words of wis
dom represent the American Legion.
They do not represent New York State
and they misinterpret the reply of the
nation. I doubt if they represent even
the real sentiment Of New York
County,"
j. c. Roth, formerly secretary of the
Chemical Warfare Service post, which
about $50 men, said yester
of hot
tically unanimous for a bonus, but
that the taking care of wounded and
disabled men either by direct money
grant or by some other method to pre-
vent them from becoming charges on
the community was of the foremost
Importance.
$50 a Month Plan Backed
A resolution recently adopted by
Borough Park Post, 159, favors a bonus
Of $50 month to ex-service men,, and
efforts are being made to urge Con
gressmen to support such measure,
F. Hcymann, secretary of the post, said
yesterday.
Members of the Metropolitan Post,
of employees of the Metro
politany Life Insurance Company, all
favor a bonus, said W. H. Mcintyre jr.,
of that post. "Men Of this
post need the money!" said he, "and we
think that If profteers got it while we
were away, as we'll as the good posi-
tions, the least they can do for US now
is to grant some sort of bonus pay
ment. We all feel, however," he added,
"that the disabled man should have the
preference in any system Of bonus
award"
F. T. Sutton, secretary of the M. B.
A. Post, comprising employees Of the
Mercantile Bank Association, Of 44 Pine
post had taken no formal action on the
bonus question, the consensus of opin
ion approved the granting of some pay
ment by Congress.
"The Home Sector" q weekly perl
odical conducted by members of the
Stars and Stripes Post, is advocating
the bonus for all ex-service persons,
Tyler H. Bliss, secretary of the post
and member of the staff, said yester-
day. Such bonus to all veterans Of
the war is secondary to ample pro-
vision for disabled men, however, he
declared.
Like a Grab" Says One
Arguments against the awarding Of q
bonus were advanced by Stephen J. Nc
Tague, head Of the Jefferson Feigl 1st
Division Post and lawyer Of IS Will
lam Street "This post has not voted
on the question" Mr.. McTague said,
"hut l am convinced from talking with
the members that the majority do
not need or want a bonus. Most Of us
feel, think, that the country is not in
any financial position to pay bonus,
the cost of which would run into the
billions, and it looks like too much Of a
grab There is, however," he added,
"a strong feeling that the wounded
men have not been taken care of prop
crly, and we all want to see those con-
ditions improved"
Wellington Wright, head of Don
Martin Post, Is another who does not
believe in q bonus award. Bonus talk
at this time / consider out of place."
said he. "The time for money award
was when the men were demobilized,
when $50 wasn't sufficient to give q
man decent civilian equipment. Any
indiscriminate bonus award now is a
hold-up. Take care Of the disabled
and the chap who needs help, but do
not grant "a fiat bonus to, all, is my
attitude"
Douglas B. Baker, vice president of
the Western Electric Post, thinks there
should be no bonus and indorses the
stand taken by the New York County
officers.