New-York tribune., 1921-12-26
Money for Disabled

Sick and wounded former service
men in every state in the Union who
are in immediate need of money may
obtain it without security and at
nominal rate of interest should a plar
now being discussed at the national
headquarters of the American Legion
in indianapolis be formulated
Veterans who do not need the money
that would come to them from payment
Of government adjusted compensation
would contribute their bonus to a big
rotating fund. Service officers Of the
Legion in each state would lend it out.
Cur buddies broken in health, who
want to take care of themselves and
their families and keep their self-re-
srect while battling through red tape
for their just disability compensation,
will be the principal beneticiaries of
the fund, according to Hanford Mac
Nider. the Legion's commander, who
originated the plan.
The4e are hundreds of instances in
which sick and wounded ex-service
men, unable to get government aid,
have had to depend upon charity while
their claims were being revised, the
Legion reports show. Tubercular vet
Grams who owe their condition to poison
gas or to exposure have gone to sana
toriums in the West and there been de-
MED immediate admission or treatment
and have become public charges, it is
declared. Other young veterans, un-
able to work because of their wounds
or sickness and unable to satisfy the
demands of government bureaus, are
in pitiable condition and their de-
nendents likewise are suffering, the
Legion declares.
Many of the older element of ex-
service men already have made known
their intention of assigning their
bonuses TO the fund if the adjusted
compensation bill becomes a law dur
ing the present session of Congress.
Hospitals Visited
Legionnaires from all parts of the
city, escorted by members of the Amer
lean Legion Auxiliary, visited the Gov
ernment hospitals here yesterday laden
with Chris mas cheer for the disabled
former service men who were prevented
from being with their immediate faml-
lies. The FoX HIS IFospital, on Staten
and, was the scene of continuous
line of visltora, oacn carrying packages
and messages Of cheer.
Ward 33 whica has been adopted by
Lieutenant Laurence Lowell Post,
had its celebration on Saturday. There
was an entertainment, and cigarettes,
candy and fruit accompanied the smiles
and good wishes of the members of the
post and the auxiliary and made every
one happy. Other patients at the hos,
pital also took part, but the post has
felt that it owes more to this ward
than any other because Of the regular
practice established of visiting the in
mates every week end.
A delegation from the 49th Infantry
Post visited the hospital and distributed
presents to the men. The committee in
charge of this work raised big fund
and the delegation was we'll armed with
good things which are not on the regu-
lar program at the hospital. 1t is the
intention Of this post to adopt one of
the eleven wards unadopted. Past Com
mander Emil N. Bacr headed the COM
mittee and as result there are num-
Der of wounded men who enjoyed the
Yuletide spirit.
Women of the William A. Bacom
Auxiliary of the American Legion. god
parents for the wound men of Ward
II at Fox Hills Hospital, have their
packages wrapped in holiday trim
mings and will GO to the hospital this
afternoon. The committee viii meet at
the Y. M. c. A., l6lst Street, and leave
at so O'clock. An ambulance has been
chartered from the Red Cross to carry
the packages to the Staten Island. in
stitutiou.