Connecticut western news., 1922-03-09
RORABACK OFFERS AID
 TO AMERICAN LEGION
Offers Plans to Raise Funds for Salaries of
 Officers

lOkNC1 AAVul oGdlS- SOiI1IldIiQ0T, SldT-
 ence w. Seymour of the American Legion, appointing him one of com
 mittee of twenty-one to raise funds with which to pay Legion Officers who disburse funds to needy veter- ans, declines to act on that commit tee. However, he states that he stands ready to aid the Legion in any way possible and offers plan by which the. necessary funds could be raised. Following is his letter to the State Commander: <e5t-.e- .- My dear sir:---- e--.asr,- .... 7 .....
 From your letter of the 2d inst. just received, infer that you wish me to join in an attempt to collect funds from public spirited citizens to pay the expenses of the officers of the American Legion while they are engaged in distributing the income of the two and one-half million dol lar state fund among the needy vet erans and their families. .-.
 "Your letter indicates that the present officers of the legion intend to adhere to the payment of salaries, ct cetera notwithstanding the decision of a judge of the superior court, the only change being that the salaries and expenses, including those of en- tertainments, shall be paid, for the time being, by popular subscription rather than from the state fund.
 "As l am so firmly of the opinion that the methods which have been employed will certainly be destruc- tive of the purposes for which the state fund was created, I must de- cline to assist in any such movement.
 From some knowledge of the in- tention of, the sponsors of the original act by which this fund was created, I am sure that Judge Maltbie's deci- sion clearly determined its original intent and I therefore do not think you should anticipate any likelihood of his decision being reversed by the supreme court
 "The act provides for an organi-. zation of service men for the purpose of carrying out it's provisions, and explicitly provides that no part of the. income of said fund shall be used for administration purposes. This was to insure permanency4 z of the organization in that it should be self sustaining. Further by becoming self-sustaining it was entirely re- moved from the class of charity or ganizations because the income of the state fund is direct appropria- tion to the organization to assist in carrying out it's purposes.
 Deplores Fight for Salary
 F'It seems unfortunate that a con- test over salary should have been the first question for a public deter imitation to arise in connection with the management. Such questions will inevitably arise, but if the organiza- tion is financing it's own.sS operating expenses, they can be settled within the organization, and will be more wisely and economically determined than if the payment of such expenses is made from public fund.
 q understand it is estimated that $10,000 annually will be required to administer this fund, provided salar- ies have to be paid. I also under stand that there are S0.000 eligible veterans in Connecticut. Could this expense be entirely distributed among these veterans it would of course, be insignificant, but it would seem that at least 10000 men ought l to be obtained as members of an or-i ganization who would contribute at least one dollar each for this purpose.
 Suggests Reorganization |
 "The amount involved does not seem to be the issue but it is the as I heretofore, stated I believe that any organiza- tion of this character must be self if it is to be surviving. I would submit the sug- gestion that you consider reorgani- zation of the present body, revising the constitution and bylaws in such a way as to provide2for permanency of organization, also fully providing for an income and the safeguarding of expenditures. That campaign De started for new members with he idea of procuring at least 10000 who will be willing to assume the of carrying out the work of properly distributing the ] 'und. If such campaign appeals to hose who are interested in the mat CT shall be glad to assist in every way possible.
 "To properly begin a work of this haracter the appointment of your committee seems to have been an ex- client idea. I would suggest that at ome early date this committee be alled together for the purpose of dis ussing the subject of an organiza- ion along lines similar to those which
 have indicated, and I shall be glad 0. meet as one member and cooper .te in every way possible. To the md of carrying out this work 1 can ,ledge substantial contributions from 'arious. sources for the purpose of Iefraying expenses of organization, of members, etc. shall be .In 4o Al aI fbn 1