Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-17
LEGION HEAD SAYS
FIGHT To CONTINUE
ON SOLDIER BONUS
Fourth Annual Convention
of United States World
War Veterans Begins in
New Orleans

CONVENTION HALL, NEW OR
LEANS, La, Oct. 16.-(By the Asso-
ciated Press.)-Pledging renewed as
surance to the disabled and assert
ing once more it's position on the
soldier bonus, through it's national
commander, Hanford MacNider, the
American Legion opened it's fourth
national convention here today.
Distinguished soldiers of seven ma
lions, bearing visible evidence of the
sacrifices they had made in behalf
Of their own countries, were on the
platform as the legion's guests.
They were the delegates to the
convention of the Inter-Allied Vet
Grams Federation, which, for two
days, has been in session here and
which today'is scheduled to conclude
it's deliberations and to hold an open
session for the purpose of forward
ing world peace.
The "F'idacs, the letters stand for
the words, "Federation Information
al Des Ancien Combatants," were
pleased by the progress made so far
| in executive session, it was senai-of-
ficially announced, and feel that their
convention has accepted virtually all
which was in the minds of its leaders
when they landed in the United
States last week.
Commanders Speech
A declaration that the American
Legion regarding the interests Of
the disabled service man as it's first
responsibility, and that with regard
to the adjusted compensation act,
we've just started to fight" were
outstanding points in the address of
Hanford MacNider, national COM
mander, delivered before the fourth
annual convention of the Legion at
it's 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 it is
right-and right always prevails in
America. A great, well-financed at
tack by interests which we can not
| help but feel are sordid and selfish,
has given us one little setback. But
those who represent the people in
| Washington are with us by great
majorities. No one man, untouched
by the war, without kith or in those
who served-no one group, financial
or otherwise, can stand between the
wishes of the American people and
the fulfillment of what they believe
to be a just obligation.
To Build Platform
1.-THE American Legion is gather
ed here in convention assembled to
build from it's expense Of four gears
of experiences it's platform for the
legion year which lies ahead. The
legion is recognized as the voice of
the men and women who served
with the colors during the great
war-a whole generation. 1t must
| be our duty to so build it that its
tremendous power and possibilities
may be directed that 1T shall be as
| it was, dedicated to the highest
service - to our God and to our
country.
Every eligible man aud woman
must be made to realize that if
their best effort is not in the legion
they are just as much slacliers as
those who hid when the country's
life was at stake. To avoid that
duty is to betray our right to citi-
zenship.
'Never before in the history Of
America has such a great force in
our national life appeared-EeVer
has such power and prestige been
g1 ted. L quote to you the words
Of the greatest soldiers OF modern
! times, The American LegioniSr era
die for the whole future of Amer
| ica.'
"In relating here some of the en-
deavors and actness of the national
organization, there is no thought
of personal pride in accomplish
ment.
what has been accomplished,
you have accomplished.
"This year started auspiciously.
The receptions for our distinguished
guests at Kansas City and all over
the United States constituted a ire
mendous undertaking splendidly
performed. The Foch tour as a
public service not only to our coun-
held the public mind
Starting a year of membership
during one of the greatest indus
trial depressions America has ever
experienced, tie American Legion
has grown in membership. It's posts,
active and functioning in 40 depart
ments in this country and % others
scattered over the globe, number
eleven thousand two hundred odd
Not a day Of the year, not an hour
of the day that American Legion
posts are not in service-thousands
of them all over the world.
II feel personally that tremen-
dous results for the betterment of
the disabled veterans our first
duty always have been attained.
The national rehabilitation commit
tee is now formed on a permanent
basis. 1t has fifteen members, a
chairman and the representatives,
chosen by the states which make