The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1921-03-01
DISABLED VETERANS
FORM ORGANIZATION
MOSCOW POST NO. l TO BE Or
CANNED HERE WEDNESDAY,
EVENING, is PLAN

The formation of an organization
among the disabled ex-service mer
was a positive need which was no
met by any organization, and which
was felt by every disabled man.
Ninety-nine per cent Of the Ameri
can Legion membership consists o.
able bodied men who do not shart
the experiences and do not have thu
same problems as their disabled com
rades. The disabled men felt the nee
of IN organization OF their own tC
meet their own peculiar problems and
to deal with common situations and
experiences shared by every member
of their organization.
The result of the formation o. the
Disabled American Veterans has been
remarkable. Frior to its organization
there was O marked spirit Of cri'i-
cism and complaint upon the part of
the men directed against the Federal
Board, the Bureau and the Public
Health Service. There was a notice
able lack Of morale and many men
did not go Into training and others
in training were dropping ont. Fol-
lowing the }. ganization of these men
there was a noticeable Improvement
in the morale, and the spirit OF coop
Grafton 0 on took the place Of crfti-
clsm, men continued in training, IN
creased numbers entered training, in
creased interest in their school work
was Immediately attended, as shown
oy q higher scholastic atana.nS ia,
~ =. training, in general the
whole situation was changed, until
today a feeling of good will and team
work between the wounded, injured
and disabled men and the various
agencies, public and private, working
in their interest is felt by everyone.
While the biggest feature of the ac-
complishments of this organization of
disabled veterans is the manner In
which it has stimulated and upheld
the morale of the men. certain other
achievements are likewise WORT
cording, In th'y llrat n" 10 80
or a national o..saniyat1on was r,,or-
.'~eu' an" d:ts1 upon, which resulted
=, : meeting held IN May, 1919. at
Cincinnati, Oa;o, composed of dele
gates from cldos snd societies as we'll
as representatives from various de
partments which are interested and
concerned in the welfare of the dis
abled men.
AT this meeting a constitution and
bylaws were adopted which show the
spirit Of cooperation and speci-
fically provided that; THE purpose
Of the Disabled American Veterans
was to uphold and maintain the con
stitution and the laws OF the United
to realize the true American
for which we fought: TO adj
vance he interests and work for the
betterment Of all wounded, injured
and disabled veterans: to cooperate
with the Federal Board for vocation
education, the U. S. Bureau of War
Risk Insurance, the y. S. Public
Health Service, the American Red
Cross, and all other public and pri-
waite agencies devoted to the cause of
and advancing the condi-
tIoI, health and interests of all
wounded, injured or disabled veterans
OF the Wcrld War, and to stimulate
a feeling of mutual devotion, helpful
aess and comradship.'
In addition, the organization was
specifically prohibited by its %consti-
from taking any part in any po-
ltical, or military questions or in
disputes.
The personnel Of the leaders of this
lew movement among the disabled
men concretely expressed the corner
tone OF its foundation, namely, coop
In electing their officers,
hey gave the organization a cooper
contact with the public through
heir president, Judge Robert S.
1arks; with the Federal Board for
ocational education through Col.
with the regular army
through General Traub, with the Pub
&c Health Service and Red Cross,
bureau OF War Risk Insurance and
lany other groups in training through
1eir representatives on the executive
GARD.
While this organization has been in
peration for some time in the east
rn states, it is a comparatively new
ing to the west, and has not had
lie support it should have had here
ue, no doubt, to the fact that the I
asst was the first to have men placed :
training, and the first to become I
ware of their needs. =
Since the first men were placed in s
here and at other schools Z
e need of organization has been ap- &
aren't to all concerned in the well (
re of disabled men, and at nearly y
cry school the men in training have 1
rmed clubs and societies usually :
as vocational clubs, which $
oula tend to bring them closer to- u
Their and help perpetuate that spirit =
comradeship which can only be =
own and enjoyed by those who have e
en- fellow-sufferers in some Army III
spital away from home and among 81
rangers. "
Early in December 1921, the differ o
t Vocational Clubs of the North ~
st planned a District caucus to be s!
Id in Seattle, Wash, and each club ul
s requested to send a delegate to N
part in discussing a general plan st