New-York tribune., 1922-10-16
Legion Is Ready
For Convention
Opening To-day
Soldiers, Sailors and Ma
rines of. World War Ar
rive i'm New Orleans From
All Parts of the Country
viii Have Political Tinge
Members Are to Decide ON
Bonus Policy and Will
Discuss Hospitalizasion

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. is (By The
Associated Press). - Soldiers, sailors
and marines Of four years ago. mem
bers of the American Legion. were
gathered heresto-night for their fourth
annual national convention, which be-
gins tomorrow and continues for five
days.
to accomplish much business and shape
policies that will affect national poll
ties as we'll as the future course of
the Legion
Last years American Legion Conven-
t,on, in Kansas City, with Marshal
Foch. Admiral Beatty of England;
General Diaz, of Italy, and General
jacques, of Belgium, as distinguished
guests, was combination of pageant
and reunion on gigantic scale.
Report Assails Government =
Request for sio,ooo,o0o appropria-
tion to equip hospitals now being con-
structed and to build additional hos
pitais for euro-psychiatric patients
is contained in the report of the
re-
Mobilization, to be laid before the con-
vention Tomorrow by Colonel A. A..
Sprague, head of the rehabilitation
commission. The report criticizes the
government achievements to date in
caustic language.
The story of hospital construction
by the government up to date" de-
sclares the report, Judging by actual
results, is a tragedy for the sick,
discredit to the government
and an affront to the American
feature In it. Politics, promises, plans.
failure to prepare anything but alibis
in advance. red tape, excuses and con-
tentions eonspired to defeat the actual
providing of needed beds.
Back home very little comfort had
been given to the men who traded
their strong minds and bodies and
valiant spirits for victory and peace.
One billion dollars was voted by Con-
gress to pay for untitled war con-
tracts cancelled at the armistice. Ap-
parently many were so busy trying to
fi1ure out how much the government
owed them for Cancelled contracts that
they didn't have time to think of the
hospitals that should have been con-
structed."
What the Legions future policy will
be on adjusted compensation and,
what, If any, criticism will be
be ievelled at the Administration at
Washington because of the defeat Of the
compensation measure during the last
session of Congress, when President
Harding's veto was sustained, were
outstanding questions. But they were
by no means the only questions of i'm
portance to be brought before the Le-
gfon convention
Will Discuss Republication
Discussion of the progress made in
caring for the disabled, the work of the
United States eVteran Bureau and the
part played by Bngadfer General C. F,
sawyer. the Presi-ents personal ply
slclan, In connection with hospitaliza-
tion also were scheduled for sharp
discussion.
Colonel c. r. Forbes, head of the
veterans Bureau, is here, and his
presence already has brought the
charge from William F. Deegan. head
OF the New York convention delega-
tion and candidate for national com
mander to succeed Hanford MacNider.
that Forbes was here to influence the
convention at the instance of the Re-
publican administration in Washing
Ton, charge sharply denied BY
Forbes, who said he was here with a
staH OF specialists to cooperate with
the legion on problems having to do
with disabled men.
Committee meetings went forward
to-day with completion of the reports
OF commissions appointed by the
Legion to deal with Americanization
fehaoilltation, disqualification, legisla-
ton and similar topics having to do
with veteran welfare work.
Few Uniforms Are Worn
Meanwhile, the rank and file of the
veterans here for the convention
poured in In increasing numbers to-
day and tonight from all parts of
the country. 1t was noticeable that
there were many less men wearing
their uniforms this year than has been
.ho case az previous conventions. Per-
maps good many Of the uniforms are
worn out--after all, 1t has been near.
~ four years since the fighting in the
Argonne and along the Meuse, ant
doubtless good many civilian wais,
ana collar lines are no longer adaptes
to the military regalia that thei,
owners brought home from war fou,
years ago.
Another noticeable feature of IN,
convention was the large number O.
Women who came with their solide,
relatives to participate in the fesvivr
aes, which will accompany the con
Ventlon, and to attend the convention
OF the American Legion Auxiliary, tn,
women's organization, which meets -
the same time
Summer weather greeted the con
Sention visitors and under a brillian+
snh, palm trees, oleanders and roses
gave trepieal touch to the setting
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