Evening journal., 1922-10-17

In a letter mailed to the 1000
delegates at its national convention
OF the American Legion now in
session at New Orleans. George Bro
kaw Compton. who resigned the
chalrmansh!D OF the New York
County Legion in March. 1920. as a
nrotest against the demand made by
its National Executive Committee
for bonuses for able-bodied vet
Grams. suggests that the constitu-
ton OF the Legion be amended so
as TO prohibit it in the future from
making any effort to obtain bene-
Acial legislation for any veterans
other than for those who were dis
abled in service.
The letter reads as follows:
"5O1 Fifth Ave, New York City,
October Il. 1912.
''rhe American Legion places the
welfare of all the people above the
Interests OF its own members as a
class. II shall not advocate nor in
any way seek 10 obtain bonuses, ad-
'usted compensation, pensions, or
absolute civil service preference for
its members except for those who
were disabled in service
''I suggest that the constitution OF
the Legion be amended at the New
Orleans Convention by Inserting the
pbove paragraph Immediately after
the following provision which was
adopted at Minneapolis in Novem-
ber. 1919. in accordance with a re-
port OF the Committee on Political
Restrictions Of which 1 was Chair
man:
The American Legion shall be
absolutely non-political and shall
not be used for the dissemination OF
partisan principles nor for the pro-
motion OF the candidacy Of any per-
con seeking public office or prefer
ment. No candidate for or 'incum-
bent of a salaried elective public
office shall hold any Office in the
American Legion or in any Depart
nient or Post thereof
The American people wish to see
the Legion take an equally unas-
sallable position with respect to-
beneficial legislation.
In order 10 realize its greatest
possibilities for useful and patriotic
service IN time OF peace. Il Is now
conceded that the Legion must be
non-political and non-partisan.
Many believe another prerequisite to
be that II shall seek no beneficial
legislation for its members as al
class. Efforts 20 obtain such legisla-
Ion have inevitably led fit into
politics and to a pathetic extent
have robbed Il Of its hold on the
confidence and respect OF the pub
lie.
The following extract from the
Manual for American Legion Speak
ers, 1921. referring to the work Of
the National Legislation COMMITTEES,
illustrates the unedifying'results Of
eeif-interest policy;
s"Tt has extracted from Congress.
in the way OF beneficial legislation
and appropriations for ex-service
purposes, in one year more than the
Yanlcs OF '61-'65 were able 10 get in /
thirty years and more than the /
spsnish-American veterans IN ten
Such a statement might not harm /
the Legion II Il had confined its
ecDNitlcs 70 hluine luo uiedbAru. ~ /
Is an unworthy and dame ging boast
In connection with demands for /
Specisi privileges for the sble-bodied
- a class.
From the beginning, with nearly
svery family in the United States
siisfbls for representation IN It's
ranks and a possibls membership
which will be a true social, religious,
and economic cross-section Of the
american people, II was recognized
that the Legion had an opportunity
and a duty to become the most pow
srfui civilian non-religious organiza-
tion in history.