The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-03-12
LEGION DEMANDS
QUICK ACTION
Leaders Say They Have Wait
ed Long Enough
THREE MILLION IN NEED
They penounce Plea OF Economy BY
Y. S. Chairman Miller Says Three
Million Are In Need And
Want Cash Or Bonds.

Washington.-The American Legion
served notice on the Ways and Means
Committee of the House that it plans
to force immediate action on legisla-
ton to aid the service men.
Franklin d'Olier, national comman-
der, and Thomas w. Miller, chairman
Of the legislative committee, declared
that the legion has waited long
enough for Congress to act"
Congress should not economic at
the expense of the service, they said.
Three million former service men
are in need of aid, Mr.. Miller declared,
and added that most of the service
men would take a bonus in cash or
bonds in preference to farm or home
loans or vocational education.
"All that the American Legion asks
is as liberal treatment as is consistent
with the welfare of the whole country
Legislation that is fair to the former
service man and at the same time just
as fair to the entire nation as well"
d'Olier said. 1.-The overwhelming ma
jority of former service men feel
strongly that this Government owes
an obligation to all persons who were
handicapped either bodily or financial
ly because of military or naval serv-
ice during the recent war.
"The American Legion, representing
more than 100000 former service
men and women, spoke very plainly
on this point at its national conven-
ton last November.
"In accordance with resolutions
passed at the national convention of
the American Legion its national bene-
fetal legislation committee is now
ready to submit recommendations for
legislation covering four features, as
follows:
Il. Land settlement covering farms
in all States and not confined to few
States.
80. Some aid to encourage purchase
of homes in either country or city.
80. Vocational training for all for
mer service persons desiring it.
"A. Adjustment of compensation or
final adjustment of extra back pay
| based on length of service for those
not desiring to avail themselves of
any one of the previous three features.
"The former service persons to be
given his option of any one and only
one of the above four features shall
only be treated as literally as is con-
sistent with the welfare of the whole
country. The American Legion asks
in it's self-interest at the expense OF
the country, but at the same time does
not feel that this obligation to former
service men and women should be al
together passed at this time.
Having waited over year, it is not
unreasonable to now expect some &C
tion showing that the interests OF the
| former service man have not been al
| together forgotten
| Both dOlier and Miller sought to
show that they were not asking a
bonus, but an adjustment of compen-
sation.
The Allies have done more for their
service men than the United States,
| Miller said. Australia sent 10 per
cent. of her population overseas and
paid its fighting forces 40 per cent.
higher than our men were paid" he
said. When its fighters were brought
home an Australian blinded in the
| war was given a home by the Govern
ment at a rental of a few cents a
month. Returned men were given
from $40 to SIS week until they
! found jobs. Able-bodied former serv-
| ice men who were able to farm are
loaned $4,000 as working capital at
low interest.
Canada sent per cent. of its
population overseas and it paid its
soldiers better than America. Re-
| turned Canadians are given just
compensation, according to length of
service. running from $500 to $500 for
married men and lower figure for
single men. Returned Canadians re-
ceived SIS month while they were
awaiting jobs.