The Clayton news. (Clayton, N.M.) 19??-1954, 1922-02-10
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE and
LEGION HOLD OPEN MEETING

lLUiuN ZULU UTLW WlECIIItU
The National Chamber of Com
merce, with which our local cham
Der is associated, recently called for
a referendum vote Of all the Cham
ber of Commerce organizations of
the country on the adjusted COM
pensatiOn bill for the soldiers of the
World War, now pending in Con-
gress. In accordance with this call
a meeting was called by the Clayton
chamber of Commerce for last Tues
day night and in order to get some
direct information on the bill pend
ing and ascertain the wishes of the
ex-soldiers themselves in regard to
it, The American Legion was in
vited to meet in open session with
the Chamber and citizens of the
town and present their views
The meeting was the biggest af-
fair Of the kind that has been held
in Clayton for several years. The
information received on the subject
before the house was such that
brought enlightenment TO the ma
jority of the audience on the bill,
and had much to do in molding pub
lic opinion in favor of the claim of
The soldiers.
The joint session was presided
over by M. C. johnson, president of
the Chamber of Commerce, who
made a short but very appropriate
address of welcome. He was fol-
lowed by response by Frank o.
Blue, representing the Legion, who
in turn acknowledged the pleasure
hat was afforded the Legion in
being accorded the privilege of ap-
pearing before the Chamber TO pre-
sent its views. Mr.. Blue set forth
the objects of the Legion, and gave
the preamble Of its constitution,
which clearly set forth the purposes
for which the Legion stands.
The primary subject, the adjusted
compensation bill, was handled for
the Legion by Attorney Richard A.
Toomey, who is one of the Legion
members, having served with the
Marines in the World War. Mr..
TOomey made strong his argument
in favor of the compensation bill,
and when he had concluded, there
absolutely seemed but one Just side
10 the proposition. He is a very
fOrceful talker, and he had his data
so well selected and arranged that
every item Of the subject was at his
command. He went into detail in
regard to the bill, giving its origin
and the entire history. and progress
made since its introduction TO the
present date. He also gave a de-
tailed outline of every provision and
The effect of the same in relation
TO the needs of the ex-sOldiers as a
whole. Mr.. Toomey also gave out
the fact that all our allies in the
war had already made provisions
for their returned soldiers and in
most instances had been far more
liberal and had given greater re-
muneration to its soldiers than was
being asked Of our government, the
richest and greatest in the world
lie also impressed his hearers witt
the fact that maliciOusly or DINER
wise, the compensation bill had been
misrepresented to the public in that
1t had been put out as a "bonus"
or gift, making the ex-serVice men
accepting the same appear in the
light Of seekers of government char
ityi while in truth it was a provision
granting compensation for services
well and faithfully rendered. Mr.
Ioomey's argument was so concise
and to the point that every state
ment made carried conviction and
left but little doubt in the minds
of his audience as to the Justice of
passing such a measure.
Mr.. Toomey was followed by Judge
Toombs, II. H. Erretl, Floyd C. Field
A. /. Tarlton and The News editor
in short speeches. and each backed
up the contention of the Legion boys
and went on record as favOring the
passage of the bill in its present
form.
The vote was then taken by the
members Of the executive board OF
the Chamber of Commerce. and the
result was announced as being unan-
lmously in favor Of the bill in IFS
present form.
Prior 20 the opening OF the meet
ing and during intermission. music
was rendered by the Legion OrcRes.
ira, composed Of six pieces. This
orchestra, composed mostly Of Le-
gion members. is without. a peer 10