Norwich bulletin., 1920-08-14
VETERANS SHOULD sTRAIGHTEN
 orr THEIR WAR RECORDS

Every veteran of the world war from this state who has any doubt that his record in the files of the war department is incorrect is urged by Capt Thomas J. Bannigan. adjutant of the Connecticut de- partment of the American Legion to write at once to Washington to make the necessary correction. The time is short and the matter should be given inmedi- ate attention The war department has announced that it will begin soon to ar rest alleged draft dodgers throughout the country and that it has prepared list of names of the men who, it believes, desert ed their country in time of need. Ex- soldiers have less than two weeks in which to help the war department clean up any misleading or inaccurate facts about them. Captain Bannigan pointed out that it would De regrettable to have the names of volunteers, some of whom died in service, appear with the names of alleged slackers.
 There are now on the records at Washington 173.911 names of men held to he draft deserters: It is unquestioned that a considerable number of them be- long 10 individuals who had an honorable part in the war These soldiers, marines or sailors were volunteers who entered the service before they were called. Many of them went while the draft law was still in congress. Others followed before draft boards were organized and the off, cial machinery set in motion. They and their immediate rela tives and friends were the only ones cogniZant of their going Being eligible for the draft, however. their names were written on the lists and
 were not crossed off either during the stress of wartime vcrk or after the draft
 law ceased to operate.
 Ntrd
 invitations to address the state convention
 of the American Legion in Bridgeport
 Aug. 20 and 21 includes General Clarence R. Edwards, former commander of the 26th division and now in command of the northeastern department, and Major Gen. eral John F. O'Ryan, commander of the New oYrk 27th. Other prominent guests who have notified Captain Bannigan that they will attend the convention are Lieu tenant Governor Clifford B. Wilson, may or of Bridgeport; Rev. Francis A. Kelley of Albany national chaplain of the Le- zion and known as the Fighting Chap | lain of the 27th division ;' R. c. Cholme- | ley-Jones director of the war risk insur- ance at Washington R. T. Fisher. acting chief of the federal board for vocational | education Major r. H. McKeon, officer in charge of the United States public health service at Allingtown. Governor Holcomh | is also expected to he present.
 It was learned Friday that one of the 1 matters that will come up before the con
 vention will be a request to eliminate from various honor rolls throughout the state the names of men who are not en- titled to such honor. It was said that 1 many names on various honor rolls in the 1 state, and, in fact. throughout the United
 States. do not belong on these rolls and | o+ entitled tO c11cl1 rerOpnitiOn. It l was pointed out that on many honor rclls 1 are included the names of men who earn 1 ed high wages in intuition plants and | that these names are listed with those of
 the men who served the government at a dollar a day. A resolution will ask that all the names be checked uo and certified and if it is found that certain names do
 not belong on the rolls that these names 1 be eliminated.