The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-21
CARE OF DISABLED FIRST ATTENT|ONOF
 AMERICAN LEGION
National Vice Commander Tells of Work Accomplished By Legion = FourfoId
 Compensation Plan

After visiting posts of the American Legion in all parts of Alabama, national vice commander, F. J wlnsIett, declares that he expects to see this state with a membership up to the average by the time of the national convention, which is to be held>in Kansas City in Septem- Der.
 Mfr. Winslett. who has been conducting tour of inspection in Alabama for the past several weeks, stopped over in Birmingham yesterday en route to his home in Dadeville.
 When the American Legion was first formed, many were skeptical regarding the organization" said MT. Winslett, but the work that has already been accomplished is sufficient answer to the skeptical ones. The first attention of the organization was devoted to the care of the wounded and disabled ex-service men and their dependents and much along these lines has been accomplished. "Of course we all know that the Amer ality with it's disabled fighting men, but
  pronounced long after thousands have died from neglect and want. Then Con- gress usually begins to give large sums in pensions to descendants and others amply able to care for themselves. The legion caused the pay of totally disabled men to be increased from $30 per month to $50 per month. Of course every one realizes that 80 was a mere pittance when it came to supporting totally dis ebled man. especially if he had family
 DIED FROM NEGLECT | But the most important work of the | legion has been directed toward securing hospitals and maintenance for wounded and disabled men in need of constant medical attetion. Thousands of men con- | tracted tuberculosis during the war and ] many of these died from neglect before tEey were able, to. get in government hospitals. Some died in poor houses and many in insane asylums. There were {. more than 20.0OO of these ex-service men | in dire want and nothing was being done while three government departments worked through a mass of red tape to see which one would help the men. In the meantime, they were dying daily. Tt might surprise the people to know khaN members of Congress- actually pleaded for a delay of year or two be- fore building the necessary hospitals for these men because they thought they could build them cheaper then. But men were dying from neglect and the legion pressed for immediate action and won victory.
 COMPENSATION PLAN
 "As to the four-fold compensation plan favored by the legion, it will probably pass at the coming session of Congress. Congress is committed to the plan but has differed in regard to some of the de- tails. It almost passed in the rush of the last session, but there was not enough time to straighten out the details to suit all.
 "A vote taken by the legion shows that an overwh elming majority of ex- service men desire some form of com pensation. although the majority favor something besides the cash bonus. Paid ur life insurance and help in getting S.n education. help in buying a home or farm have proved the things desired by the majority The amount of the bonus asked is mere pittance when com pared with the bonus received by prac- ticaily all employees several times during the war. Even while the compensation bill was up, Congress took time to vote another bonus for government employees ir. Washington, many of whom were pu. on during the war and were exempted from service.
 "In view of the work which the legion has done and that yet to be done. I an- ticipate a much stronger organization T Alabama during the coming year,