The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-02-18
MAKING
GREAT HEADWAY
IN LEGISLATION
Albert E. Sheets Returned from
Washington Where He Rep.
resented State
McCUMBER HOLDS POWER
As Second Oldest Senator and
Member of Finance Com
mittec Controls Bills
HOLDS POWER

Prospects for legislation by the ma
tional congress asked by the Ameri-
can Legion are good, according to
Albert E. Sheets. Jr., who has re-
turned from Washington, where he
went to attend meeting of the ma
tional executive committee of the
Legion delegated 1by National Com
mitteeman c. l.. Dawson to act as
North Dakota member OF the com
mittee.
"The purpose of the meeting was
to influence congress to pass legis-
lation at the present session which
the Legion considers cannot wait un-
til the next session, principally leg
islation in behalf Of disabled sol
diers." said Mr.. Sheets, discussing
his trip. w., 49,.
Senator McCumber. by reason OF
being the second oldest senator In
Washington in point Of service and
ranking member of the finance COM
mittee, where the disqualification and
additional compensation, or so-called
bonus bills, were being considered Is
the most influential man in Wash
ington in soldier legislation. We
we're assured by Senator McCumber
that he would do everything in his
power to see that both bills pass"
Hospital Bill Passes.
Mr. Sheets said that before he re-
turned the disqualification bill had
passed, carrying $15,000,000 for hos
pitfalls for disabled soldiers. Senator
McCumber told Mr.. Sheets that he
believed the additional compensation
bill would be passed at this session
with delayed payment or at the
next session with provision for I'M
mediate payment. -
"The plan suggested by the Legion
for the consolidation of the United
Statesi Bureau of War Risk Insur.
ance, the U. S. health service and the
vocational training bureau into one
department, with sub-departments il!
various parts of the United States
by reason of lack of time will not
pass at the present session." said Mr.
Sheets, "but some bill embodyihg
these features will be passed immed'
lately upon reconvention of congress
in special session. 1t is the opinion
of all members of congress with whom
l talked that this is absolutely neces'
sary before the confusion and inconl.
petence in these soldier relief agen.
cies can be overcome.
The five million dollar memorial
fund rendered by the knights of Co.
lumbus was not accepted. he said. and
Legion committee was named tc
confer with officers Of the order tc
find out II they were willing to make
tender Of the money without an!
conditions attached. ...s
Takes Up Bismarck Case.
Que to the inability of the various
bureaus handling relief for disabled
soldiers to meet the situation ant
pending such time as congress shall
consolidate and reorganize them, !
was able to obtain the assistance ol
the national executive committee II
establishing what is known as a serv
ice bureau which will take up an(
present to government agencies tht
most urgent cases OF disabled sol
diers. The united support of thu
Legion may now be obtained for any
disabled soldiers by writing the facts
to National Adjutant Lemuell Bollo3
Washington. D. c., who was appoint
ed chairman of the service commits
siOn." -.n .. q.
Mr.. Sheets also took up the case o.
James Monahan, Bismarck boy, who
was wounded and who served in sey'
en- major engagements, and who hat
been unable to get relief from tht
government. He said that Senator
McCumber had taken up the case.