Weekly journal-miner., 1921-12-21
ORGANIZE, WAY TO MEET CUTS,
 LEGION STAND
Other Ex-Service Mems Organi- cations Protesting Compensa- ton Reductions Over Nation, Local Commander Says

Get two things straight" Com mander Roberts of the local Ameri- can Legion post said yesterday when asked whether a report received here on cases of compensation cuts tele- graphcd to national headquarters of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, failed to substan- tiate charges of unwarranted reduc- tiCnS
 First, not only have unwarranted reductions been made here, but from Arrowhead, Calf, to Newark, N. j., come reports of action similar to that instituted jointly by the two eX- service mems organizations in Pres cCtt
 Second, the heads of the veterans bureau are anxious to succeed III the trust given them, the care of the dis abled and the training thereof to new usefulness. and the real heads will welcome any well considered, constructive criticism backed up by a proper and full showing of the facts and law involved.
 What Reports Were Tn cases reported back to the local legion organization. these reports are mere skeleton detailing of payments and status now. Several evident vio- lations of existing law and practiceI as regards payments, to the men were not reported on. l may add the bu- reau furnishes reports to the organi- cations interested.
 On the second of this month, a reputable physician of the city gave the following statement of eXamina- ton of an ex-service man drawing compensation: This is to certify that, 1 have this day examined (name withheld) and find him suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. All lobes of each lung arc extensively in volved and active, with pronounced cavitation in both upper lobes. 1 consider him totally and permanently incapatiated from performing all or any labor
 Such had been the finding of government medical officers, for Ill February, 1920, this ex-service man had been declared by them totally and permanently disabled, and his insurance payments were ordered paid to him, and were so paid. Now he is one of those whose compensa- ton has been slashed, and his was case that by no means came under bulletin 57, latter declared illegal.
 Newark Cases
 Listen to this from an inveStiga- ton of the operation of the veterans bureau in Newark, N. J.: At meet ing of representatives Of the Ameri- can Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars a report of an investigation ordered by Commissioner Charles r. Gillen cited many cases ot mel ficiencv and hard-boiledness on the part of officials, and the dropping ot many men from the payroll on insult ficient charges. The department com mander Of the V. F. w. and the post COIlildlQGI Ol lllO -AlllNll lNe1lA A@N e40-- told of cases that had come to their attention and changes that should be made. It was held that the policy of the bureau should not be to pay the veterans as little as possible but instead to carry out the provisions of the law
 At Fort Bayard
 At Fort Bayard similar findings were made, and readjustments prom ised on cuts that had been made. However. where there are efficient organizations to make proper repre- sentations to the heads of the vet erans' bureau, whether direct, as Tn the case of Fort Bayard; N. M., or through national organization chan ,a1s Director Forbes shows desire
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