Evening star., 1921-06-27
DISABLED SOLDIERS
T0DEMAND RIGHTS.
League Leaders Fear Bonus
May Block Aid for $780,
600 Wounded Men.

Pleading for justice to the disabled
soldiers of the United States who
served the nation in the world war.
George H. Gillen. national commander
of the National Disabled Soldiers
League. today declared the stand of his
organization definitely against the SOL
dier bonus if it will bring any injus-
tice or inadequate care of men who
made physical sacrifices during the
war Mr.. .Gillen spoke at the opening
meeting Of a four-day convention of
the National Disabled Soldiers League
in the auditorium of the Central High
School.
Nearly $50. zoo disabled soldier citi-
zens. who are war casualties. are IN
need Of adequate disqualification. re-
Mr.. Gillen said, adding that 1t Is the
purpose q the convention to bring the
needs Of the disabled men to the atten-
ton OF Congress in such manner that
the legislative body cannot reason
ably overlook their demands.
I've must. however" Mr.. Gillen said.
"be reasonable and just in our de-
marids. We must teach the people who
do not understand the viewpoint of
the disabled aoldier to understand
what his needs are. We must not ask
for unjust things. but when we are
right we must stand for that right"
Men Still Catering Hospitals.
The bulk of the people of the United
States and members Of Congress are
sympathetic to the needs of the dis
abled soldiers. Mr.. Gillen said. He
added that the convention must evolve
a concrete program drawn up in de-
tail for disqualification and rehabilita-
ton that will meet with the views Of
pathy with the needs of the disabled
soldier. Disabled men are still enter
ing hospitals in increasing numbers.
Mr.. Gillen said. He predicted that ten
years from nova million men in
round numbers would be in hospitals
or under treatment for injuries or all
ments resulting from their sacrifices
in the world war.
I'VE are fighting in a just cause" he
concluded. Let's go over the top as
we did in those days in 1918, when we
opposed the foe from the valley Of
the Marine to the hills Of the Argonne
and planted the flag of liberty on the
fortresses of the enemy"
Fears Disabled Will Suffer.
John T. Nolan. national chairman
Of the legislative committee. told the
convention that the cash bonus for
world war veterans probably will be
detrimental to the disabled men. He
said representatives of other soldier
organizations will be likely to COM
promise with Congress in favor of
the able bodied soldiers and will not
give thought to the disabled men. =
chairman Of the convention and ap-
pointed several standing committees.
Eugene Costello Of Washington was
appointed chairman OF the finance
Senator David l.. walsh of Massa-
chusetts will address the convention
this afternoon on legislation for the
of West Virginia will speak Wednes-
day morning. Edwin Mordant will
speak tomorrow. and Brig. Gen.
Sawyer, the Presidents personal ply
sictan, and Secretary Mellon are on
the program for addresses Wednesday:
closing day Of the convention. are
Senator Harrison and Representatives
Harold Knutson and Charles F. X.
O'Brien.
wounded to storm Capitol.
The most spectacular feature Of the
convention will be. a parade of dis
abTed and wounded men from the Gen.
trail High School Wednesday afternoon
to the Capitol, where the resolutions
outlining the views of the convention
on disqualification and rehabilitation
of the disabled men will be laid before
plans are in progress, lit was an
nounced today, to house In. East Po-
tomac Park disabled. delegates: to the
convention who cannot AFFORD to pay
hotel bills Delegates to the conVen-
ton, 1t was also y announced. have
been urged by the. bureau of war risk
insurance to take advantage Of their
presence in WashfhEton to tclear up
any claims against the government.
Comparatively few of. the expected
1,5O0 delegates to the convention at
tended the morning session. Com
mander Gillen announced that the
bulk of the delegates would arrive in
Washington this afternoon and would
affend the 9eSSfQn to hear Senafnr