Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1921-04-27
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS.

Service to our Buddies' is the un-
official slogan Of the sweeping Ser
vice and Compensation Drive" in
tended to reach every sick, disabled
and needy veteran in the state, which
is being conducted by The Iowa De-
partment, American Legion.
This drive is the first of its kind to
be launched in any state in America,
and the eyes OF all the other state
American Legion departments are on
Iowa to see if it succeeds. If 1t does,
national headquarters, according to
advices from there to the Iowa Depart
ment, will urge that similar drives be
launched simultaneously in every state
in the union.
Conditions as regards ex-seryice
men in. Iowa are not as grave as in
some other states, Legion officials
say, but 1t is estimated that there are
not fewer than 5000 Iowa boys who
served in the World War, who are in
immediate need. Hundreds OF men
are not receiving compensation due
them. Others are out Of jobs. Still
others are suffering from old wounds,
gas and diseases incident to easy liv-
ing after intensive training OF war
days. Many of the Veterans have de-
pendents who are suffering because of
the father, husband or son, and it is
the, Legion's purpose to rectify these
conditions also in SO far as possible.
Organization for the drive, which
was suggested by State Commander
MacNider, and which is under the
personal supervision of him and State
Adjutant James F. Barton, includes
a chairman in each. of Iowa's ninety
nine counties, the chairman to appoint
lieutenants who are instructed to
a house-to-house canvass of their res
spective district to determine the con-
dition OF each of the veterans found.
The County Chairmen were appointed
by the state executive committeeman
in each of the seven congressional
districts in this state and district
meetings will be held at which the
state officers will speak and outline
all details of the campaign.
No lines are drawn as between Lee
gion members and veterans who are
not. This drive is for ALL service
men and women, Commander Mac
Nider says, and the more than 10000
American Legion members in this
state are expected to support their
respective chairmen and do their bit,
or lot
A tentative list of cities and dates
for meetings follows: April 81, Fort
Dodge; April 80, Charles City; May
2, Sioux City; May 4, Creston; Des
Moines, May 8; May 10, Waterloo:
May 16, Davenport; May is Burling-
ton.
State Adjutant Barton says that all
cooperation which the newspapers of
Iowa can give what he terms, "the
Iowa American Legion's greatest con-
structive effort" will be appreciated,
not only by the department officials
but by the men who will be served.
The first annual state convention of
the Women's Auxiliary of the Ameri-
can Legion will be held at Sioux City.
May 1920. Commander MacNider, Ad-
jutant Barton and several other Legion
of national prominence will
be on the program with number of
noted women leaders in this work.
Sioux City is the home of Monahan
Post, one of the largest and strongest
American Legion posts in the state,
and is making elaborate preparations
for the entertainment of the visitors
There are now 1T Units of the Wo-
mems Auxiliary in Iowa and new ones