Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-03-05
AMERICAN LEGION
WANTS ACTION ON
SERVICE AID BILL

WASHINGTON. March 2.-The
American legion today served notice
on the house ways and means com
mittee that it plans to force imme-
date action on legislation to aid the
service men.
Franklin D'Olier. national COM
mander, and Thomas w. Miller,
chairman of the legislative commit
tee, both declared that "the legion
has waited long ennogh for congress
to act"
Congress should not economic at
the expense of The service men, botn
declared.
Three million ex-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.
Pair Treatment Asked
"All that the American legion asks
is as liberal treatment as is cor.
sistent with the welfare of the whole
country--legislation that is fair to
the ex-service men and at the same
time jus" as fair to the entire ma
ton as WELL" Mr.. D'Olier said.
"The overwhelming majority Of e8
service men feel strongly that this
government owes an obligation to all
persons who were handicapped either
Bodily or financially because th9
military or naval service during the
recent war. ~e
1.-THE American legion, representing
over one million ex-service men ana
women, spoke very plainly on this
POINT at its national convention last
November.
Features Requested
"In accordance with q resolution
passed at the national convention OF
the American legion, it's nation4'
beneficial legislation committee is
now ready to submit recommended
tions for legislation covering four
features as follows: 49,
'1.-Land settlement covering
farms in all states and not confined
to few states.
"2.-Home aid to encourage pur-
chase of homes in either country o,
city. .s...
"3.-Vocational training for all ex-
service persons desiring it.
Establishment of compensation
or final adjustment of extra back
pay on length of service for those
not desiring to avail themselves of
any one of the previous three fea-
lures.
HALE CRITICIZES AMERICAN
LEGION AT HOUSE HEARING
WASHINGTON, March 3.-Hear-
ings on soldier aid legislation before
the house ways and means commit
tee came near breaking up in a fight
today.
Criticism of the American Legion
by Edward H. Hale, legislative rep
resentative of the Veterans of For
eign Wars, caused a storm of de-
bate in the committee. Mr.. Hale
claimed that statements of Franklin
D'Olier, national commander of thee
American Legion, before the commit
tee yesterday were entirely erro-
neouS. q.
Statement Challenged 1888.
= Representative Treadway, Massa-
chusetts, Immediately challenged
Mr.. Hale's statement, saying he did
not believe Mr.. Hale was justified in
criticising a rival organization.
Representative Garner, Texas, then
sided with Mr.. Hale, and in a short
time every member of the commit
tee was trying to talk. Several
members started to leave the room,
and, for a while, it appeared the
hearings would be suddenly ended.
Chairman Fordney declared the pro-
ceedings might as we'll end if order
could not be maintained.
Representative Hull, Tennessee,
declared that granting bonus would
impose severe burdens on the tax
payers of the country and would in
crease the cost of living. Mr.. Hale
claimed that many service men were
out of work, but Representative
Green, Iowa, declared that this was.
not true in the farming districts of
the middle west.
Suggests Increased Taxes ii
The revenues necessary for the
bonus should be raised by increased
income taxes, Mr.. Hale said.
Special taxes of one kind or an
other might be declared unconstitu-
tional and thus defeat our purpose"
he said.
Representative Henry T. Rainey,
Illinois, declared that the govern
ment must raise $S00,OOO,O00 in ad-
ditional taxes above the present high
war revenues to meet present expen-
ditures, without granting a cent to
the service men.