Evening star., 1921-04-09
AID FOR VETERANS
IN CLEARING HOUSE
National Service Bureau to
Look After interests of
Stranded Soldiers.

The recently established national
service bureau of the American
Legion. 1923 l street, was selected as
the clearing house for veterans well
fare organizations in the District, at
meeting held last night in the
board room. District building. James
A. Drain. department commander for
the District Of Columbia of the Amer
ican Legion. presided.
The meeting was called FOR the
purpose of discussing ways and means
of providing relief for needy and
stranded veterans of the world war
press their claims before the war
risk bureau. secure hospital treat
ment or arrange for vocational train
ing. and before their departure find
their funds exhausted The object of
the meeting was explained by Chair
man Drain. who read a letter from
District Commissioner Cuno H. Ru-
dolph. indorsing the movement and
suggesting that immediate steps be
taken to distribute the burden for the
worthy and unfortunate men who
find themselves stranded here and
also that equal care be exercised
TO guard against imposition.
1000 Claims Made.
The various speakers told of expe-
rIences of the organizations with
which they were connected and of the
assistance rendered during .the past
year. while Albert E. Haan, who has
been appointed national service di-
rector of the American Legion, in
charge of the bureau in this city. said
that over 1000 claims had been re-
ceived since the opening Of the serv-
ice bureau Wednesday. He said that
efforts will be made to keep the men
from coming to this city. through the
various state organizations of the
legion and welfare organizations in
the states. The need Of a large in
stitution or proper housing facilities
for those who do come here was also
pointed out. The various government:
departments responsible for the delay
in paying claims, some pending since
the signing Of the armistice. also was
dwelt on. and the necessity for quick
er action referred to.
Prominent Speakers.
DR.. w. A. White of St. Elizabeths
Hospital stated that, while his insti-
tuition was ready to render every as
Slstance provided under the law, he
felt that clearing house was the
only way from Capitalization stand
point to handle the situation without
overlapping of effort. Mrs. Walter S.
unord. Red Cross service bureau:
II,
National Press Club Post: William F.
Franklin. commander of Vincent B.
Costello Post: Paul E. Twyman, COM
mander of Henry c. Spengler Post:
Mrs. Marie Moore Forrest. director OF
the Community Service; Mrs. Walter /.
Mccoy. president of the George Bald
win Mccoy unit. the American Wom-
ems Legion: A. j. aBrrett, National
Catholic War Council, and DR.. ]. G.
Townsend Of the United States public
health service were among the 9TH
ers who spoke on the relief work for
the veterans.
Committee Appointed.
The following committee was an
pointed to arrange for a centralized
plan of procedures: James A. Drain,
department commander. the American
Legion. chairman; Albert E Haan,
national service director. the Ameri-
can Legion; c. H. Harrington. Y. M.
c. A. Service Club; R. B. Handy. jr..
Chairman. national legislative com
mittee. Veterans Of Foreign Wars.
Paul E. Twyman. chairman special
committee District relief committee,
the American Legion: A. J. Barrett.
National Catholic War Council: Mrs
Walter S. Ufford. Red Cross service
bureau; Mrs. Walter I. Mccoy, Ameri-
can Women's Legion: DR.. j. G. Towns
end. United States public health serv-
ice; j. c. O'Connell. Knights of Co
ioihoAS, "A. H. SOHu, Jewish "elIafe
board. and Maj. j. G. MCGEE, Salvation
Army.
The special relief committee repre-
senting the various American Legion
posts in the District is composed Of
Paul E. Twyman. commander Henry
c. Spengler, Post. chairman: Howard
S. Fisk. Commander George Washing
ton Post: William F. Franklin, COM
mander Vincent B. Costello Post: Will
liam Wolff Smith. commander Ma
tional Press Club Post: Earl H. Smith,
department historian: j. p Kohen, de i.
partment executive committee
A meeting of the special committee
on Capitalization will meet next We'd
nesday afternoon at o'clock at the
District headquarters of the Ameri-
can Legion, 1923 New York avenue
northwest. and report to tAe gem
eral committee at another meeting to
be held next Friday night at o'clock
in the boardroom. District building.