Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-10-16
AMERICAN LEGION
CONVENTION OPENS
Needs of Disabled Come
First, Says MacNider in
:" Keynote Speech.
JUST START BONUS FIGHT
Commander Declares Adjusted
Compensation Right, and Fright
Always Prevails in q. s."
JUST START BONUS FIGHT
By the Associated Press.


NEW ORLEANS. La, October 16.-
A declaration that the American Le-
gion regarded the interests of the
disabled service men as its first re-
sponsibility and that with regard to
the adjusted compensation act we've
just started to fight" were outstand-
ing points in the report of Hanford
MacNider. national commander. de-
livered before the fourth annual con-
vention of the legion at its opening
session here today.
with regard to adjusted compen-
sation legislation the report de-
clared. we've only just started to
fight. The adjusted compensation
legislation is right-we know 1t is
right-and right always prevails in
America A great we'll financed at
tack by interests whicn we cannot
help but feel are sordid and selfish
has given US one little setback. But
those who represent the people In
jorities No one man, untouched by
the war, without kith or kin among
those who served-no one group, fnan-
citl or otherwise-can stand between
the wishes Of the American people and
the fulfillment Of what they believe
to be a just obligation.
Legion Grows I'm Sise.
During one of the greatest industrial
depressions America has ever expert
enced the American Legion has grown
in membership. It's posts are active and
functioning in forty-nine departments
in this country and twenty-three others
scattered over the globe number eleven
thousand two hundred odd.
81 am well aware that the very definite
stand which has been taken m carrying
out your commands has not aided in
recruiting or holding those who place
financial gods as their gods, or
who are not willing. as good Ameri-
cans, to forget their personal
prejudfces to help serve the whole.
These men have lost the best thing
ception Of their duty to serve those who
served with them-to stick with the lad
who had not had their advantage, who
laborS under an unfair handicap. He
was the finest man under adversely and
hardship that God ever created-tust
man. He gave all he had and always
will-the man on whom this country
must always depend-the fellow who
carried the pack.
Forty per cent of the legion's mem
te hiRhest type .e Of Americans M ss citizsSsbip
II feel personally that tremendous
results for the bettefment Of the dis
abled veterans have been attained.
The national rehabilitation commit
tee is now formed on a permanent
basis.
"Starting the day before Christmas
with q successful appeal for bedside
decisions to save the lives Of men
harassed with every worry and chok-
ing with red tape, this committee has
built up tremendous record of con-
membership, have given the legion
the power and prestige to carry on
this work.
=. Aids Defense Program.
'Tet me acknowledge the financial
assistance of the American Red
Cross, which has made possible the
maintenance of our liaison repre-
sentatives in every Veterans Bureau
district.
.aThe military affairs committee
has had q particularly active year.
! "The report of the committee on
naval affairs was not complete before
our whole naval program was en-.
dauEered. We went To- Congress
asking that adequate defense be
maintained.
"Our support has been acknowledg-
ed as of importance In the hnal out
come by the administration.
+The national legislative commit
tee presents to you this year q record
unsurpassed by any organization in
the history of the nation. 1t has es-
tabiished the legion AZ the greatest
force for constructive legislation for
the nation aud for the returned serv-
Zoe men.
REQUEST fer q. a.ten-millon-d dollar ap-
lpeoprist3o 9 sag!p hospltals now