The Washington herald., 1922-10-19
Angered by Charge That
He Was Sent to Sup
press Criticism.
CONSULTS HARDING
BY LONG DISTANCE
Friends Deny President
Recalled Him for Mud
ding COP. Program.

NEW ORLEANS. Oct. 1S.-Col
Charles r. Forbes. director of the
United States Veterans Bureau. who
was invited here as the guest Of the
American Legion. has packed his
grips and left for his home In
high dudgeon, taking with him
members of his STAFF.
/. Before he left. Forbes cancelled an
engagement he had to speak before
the convention of the legion and
wrote a letter to Comdr. MacNider
explaining his departure. Forbes said
in effect, that he resented the accu-
sation he had been sent here by the
administration to suppress criticism
and play politics" The charge was
made by William F. Deegan, of New
York. candidate for national COM
mander of the legion.
Though rumors were circulated
that President Harding had re-
called Forbes because he had
"muddled" the administrations pro-
gram. friends of Forbes insisted
he was angered by the criticisms
levelled at him and that he had
come here at the invitation of the
legion to help work out a rehabili-
tation program.
Forbes and President Harding
held a long distance telephone con-
versation before he left and dis
cussed the situation. Persons who
heard the converation said the
President told Forbes to do what
he thought best.
Conservatives in Control.
NJ iSf has
had in the convention is not clear
But one thing is certaln-conserN-
ative elements are in control ana
the administration will not come
in Cor criticism.
A. A. Sprague, president of the
permanent rehabilitation commit
tee, has made peace with Brlg.
Gen. Sawyer. He holds docu-
ment signed by Sawyer in which
the latter, as chairman of the hos
pitalizat ti0n committee, pledges HIM
self to carry out the program oil
the legion. In view of this, Sprague
IS prepared to defend rather than
to denounce Sawyer.
The rehabilitation committee OF
the convention. an interlocklnS
body which exists only while the
convention is in session, also Will
refrain from criticism of Sawyer.
G., d. l.. Friends Block Critics.
Friends of the administration
blocked criticism in the resolution
dealing with the bonus. The res
olution of the executive committee,
which the convention adopted unan-
imously, simply instructed the Of
ficers of the legion to use every
facility in behalf of the adjusted
COMPENSATION bill until it has been
enacted into law"
A militant. minority conterded for
sharper criticism of the admins
tration, but the conservatives. tri-
umphed.
A supplemental resolution put
forward by the resolutions commit
tee was a sop to the militant
party 1t characterized as ''insin-
cere" the argument of the Preside mt
that the measure would fail be-
cause il did not carry revenue
raising provisions. Great appro-
priation acts in war time did not
carry any such tax provisions. it
was pointed out
This resolution also declared the
legion is against the pension sys-
tenn after recalling that the Presi-
dent had proposed this as a sub
stitute.
ID. c. Marchers Applauded.
The showing of Jacob Jones Post
of Washington was one of the out
standing features of today's parad,
of 10000 leg ionaries in which 25t
representative from the District
took part. The line of march COW
cred more than five miles. Wash
inGton veterans were generously
applauded
Watson B. Miller, of Washing
ton. continues as leading candidate
for vice-commander.
Chairman Madison Hill, of the
District delegation, read letter
of greeting from Senator Bursum
of New Mexico. Tomorrow district
officers will be decorated by the
national officers for going over the
top in the membership drive.
All Washington veterans attend
ed the legion ball at the An
thenaeum last night. Hanford
MacNider was king of the ball.