New-York tribune., 1920-03-01
Special State Convention
to Decide Legion Attitude
ON Question of Bonus to
Observation-Disclosures
Sentiment in New York Is
About Evenly Divided;
Slight Majority Probably
in Favor Of Compensation

The Tribune American Legion edi-
tor will cover the legion's bonus con-
venton at Albany tomorrow
Legionnaires of New.York State will
definitely declare themselves tomorrow
m the question of whether veterans of
he World War shall be awarded a
bonus and what that bonus shall be
when they meet in extraordinary con-
vention in the Senate Chamber at
Albany.
Delegates representing scores of
posts in the state, as we'll as adm;nis-
trative officers of the New York depart
inent and various county committees,
will have seats in the convention, and
Veterans throughout the United States
are awaiting anXiously the action they
will take.
When Commander Wade II. Hayes
calls the convention to order he prob
abiy viii find himself confronted by the
biggest job he has undertaken since
he legion WAS organized. The bonus
question in this state is by long odds
he most vital. 1t has eclipsed the uni
versal military training. anti radical
end other important issues almost to-
tally, and sentiment on the bonus is so
most astute legionnaires cannot pre-
dict the outcome Of the convention with
any degree of certainty.
At this time the slight majority
seems to be with those who favor the
additional compensation, but since re-
cent dispatches from Washington have
told the enormous cost imposed on the
government by it, there will unques-
tionably be some change of sentiment.
The Tribune has received a score of
letters from veterans who bitterly op-
pose bonus of any sort while on the
other hand many have demanded q
bonus without further delay.
Among those who have opposed the
award suggested by the national COM
inittee of the legion are George Brokaw
Compton, chairman O. the New York
County committee, and Lucien Balm
bridge, chairman of the county execu-
i've Committee. Both have character
zed it as "placing price tag on patri-
ptism," and they are expected to fight
t bitterly.
There will be no serious split in the
ranks on this Issue, haowever, accord
ng to leading Legionnaires. 1t prob
ably will be found necessary to com
promise, and this will be the way out
t is expected that numerous recon-
nendations will be received by the
committee on adjusted compensation
md these plans will be submitted later
o the posts for referendum. Then,
whatever the majority wills, that plan
viii be adopted by the state organiza-
ion and will be fought Tor before Con-
f.ress or any other government body.
Still Pursuing Congress
House OF Representative leaders who
lave agreed not to include the univer-
al training legislation in The army bill
gill not rest easily during the next few
weeks, according TO a statement issuet
yesterday by Thomas W Miller, chair
nan of the Legion's national legisla-
i've committee.
The action of the House leaders will
lot affect the status Of this legislation
before the present Congress- Chair
nan Miller said, "because the life Of
his Congress and the legislation be
ore it dc not expire until March
921. We believe that the American
legion, in urging and supporting logis
alton embodying universal military
raining has a wonderful opportunity
or rendering the country q great serv
ce. 1t is confidently believed that the
people Of this country Will attach more
Importance to the Judgment of cx
elvice men on this subject than to tht
lud~mcn- of practicai 30 t'cians; anC