The Washington herald., 1922-10-21
Only Lack Of UNDERSTANDING.
TE REGRET to note such a m


Col. Charles r. Forbes and the Ameri-
Legion. The director of the Veterans Bureau.
it is reported, left New Orleans in anger because
of harsh criticism heaped upon his head at the
tional convention of the world veteran
soeiation. He could not have made a more un-
diplomatic move.
Did Col. Forbes expect to attend q Sabbath
school picnic when he left Washington Did he
expect to make speech, get an appropriate
amount OF applause, shake hands all around, and
then retire gracefully to his hotel? II he did he
simply evidenced the fact that he does not under
stand the "gob" and the "doushboy" This is ex-
actly what would happen at most convent;ons-at
gatherings OF olergymen, business men, fraternsi
order delegates undertakers. But it is exactly
what never has happened and never viii happen
at a convention OF the American Legion.
The Legion preserves many Of the distinguish
ing qualities Of the wel-known A. E. F. Hand
clapping and hand-shaking in order, The
delegates speak plainly and they want plain speak
ing. When they don't like what a says they
don't applaud him out OF mere courtesy. The Off
cial OF the Veterans Bureau who appears before
such a body must expect rough treatment. II he
doesn't think he stand it he should stay away.
We remember when the former director Mr.
Cholmeley- Jones, appeared three years ago before
a meeting OF the Massachusetts, department Of the
Legion at Boston. The veterans of the Yankee
Division fighting mad. From the jeers and
Kisses directed the speaker, from the insulting
questions hurled from every of the hoos
might have thought that the man on the plat
form the Kaiser himself.
But he knew He stood there with
smile on his face. He answered the most per-
sonal of the questions plainly, sincerely and hon.
estly. Before the session was over they cheered
him till the historic rafters OF Faneuil shook from
the cheering The veterans had accepted the d.
rector OF the Veterans Bureau "buddy"-as
ready to take hard knocks and give them
Col. Forbes will do we'll il he clips few
leaves from Mr.. Cholmelcy-J Jones' notebook. We
are not concerned particularly the merits of
the controversy at New Orleans. But we are con-
cerned that any government official should deal so
undiplomaticaly with such a body of men as the
national delegates of the American Legion. We
do especially about Col Forbes reported
effort to influence the election of national COM
mander. He says he had such intention. We
willing to take his word for it. But even ii
he had intended to oppose Mr.. Deegsn the
grounds that the candidate never saw overseas
service the error in Judgment would not be bad
ii he had stood his ground and fought for his con-
victions-not thrown up his hands because the
delegates such rough bunch Of fellows.
Both Col. Forbes and the American Legion
have the best interests of veterans at heart. As
which the present director has accomplished,
less inclined to criticize harshly the methods
OF the Veterans Bureau. Some real reforms have
been instituted. In the vocational training branch
particularly, good deal of the old ineficiency has
been done away with. But the director can ac-
complish very little unless he has the cooperation
OF the American Legion. He may disagree with
them-but he cannot afford to show contempt for
them. Let him fight with them shoulder to
shoulder. He is more than apt to bring the
iority OF them around to his viewpoint. But he
cannot do this by su.king.
We do not care particularly how much
knows OF insurance methods or of disqualification
OF rehabilitation. In order to function success
fully as head of the Veterans Bureau he also must
understand veterans-and sometimes fear that
Col Forbes has rather muddled ideas on
this complicated subject
Just word of advice to any other government
Official who must come In contact with the Ameri-
can Legion Unless he is prepared to fight he had
better interfere. Unless he is ready for rough
treatment he had better keep away from the men
who trained somewhat in roughness four
wears ago in the Argonne.