New Britain herald., 1922-02-07
Ey-SJ;RVICE MEN.


 There is to be q meeting tonight in Lees hall to which all eN-scrvice men are invited. Ostensibly 1t is to be held for the purpose of attempting to ere ate a better feeling among men who wore the uniform of the United States in. the recent war. II that IS in reality the purpose of the meeting there can be no question but that 1t will accomplish good. All eX-serNlce men should attend and lend their aid to whatever. honest attempts are made to "get together"
 All ex-service men should attend for another reason. Inside all organl- zatfons there are politics. as q rule. There may be politics inside any one of the three organizations of ex- service men in this city. There should be no discussion of internal politics at such meeting. The mem- bers of one post are not supposed to he interested in the politics of an- other post; the members of one or ganization are not supposed to be ln- terested in the politics of another or ganization.
 Moreover each post may have some questions which have interested the public, whether or not they are mat ters of politics or policy. Different posts in each organization may take different stands on such questions. These have no place in the discus sions proper for such meeting as that planned for tonight. All ex- service men should be present to see that they are not brought to the fore.
 Specifically there is the question of the administration of the state fund for ex-service men being admin istered by the American Legion, through Frank Butterworth. The question of the propriety of MT. But terworths having drawn pay for the work after receiving the assurance Of a majority of the board of control that he might do so, is being dis cussed by the public.
 The mention of the manner in which the American Legion or MT. Butterworth is handling this fund has no place in a general meeting Of ex-service men called for the sole purpose of strengthening out differ ences." It would but create more differences. If, as reported, there Is not the best of feeling between the local posts, mention of this matter would undoubtedly stir a discussion which, instead of making the feel ing between the posts better would widen the breach.
 Captain Lockhart, one of the speakers is a former Commander of the American Legion post at New Haven. Recently he was defeated for office. He was one of the men who brought injunction proceed ings to restrain Mir. Butterworth from drawing salary. undoubted- ly Captain Lockhart was actuated by honest motives. Undoubtedly those who oppose his action and stand behind Mir. Butterworth are actuated by honest motives.
 The important point is that such matters should not be touched upon at tonight's meeting. Any attempt to argue for or against the propriety of the actions of Mir. Buterwsrth, made by pro- -Butterworth men or by those opposed to his actions will be evi dence that such factions are taking wrong view Of the proposed plan to get together.
 Captain I.ockhart has difficult task before him He is to be one of the speakers. It will be for him to display an honest desire to mako the meeting one that will bring eX-scrvice men together and not disrupt their ranks further.
 The attitude Of those who arrang- l ed for the meeting tonight will dis close whether or not it was called l in good faith. lf the purpose--an at tempt to join together all ex-scrvice | men without disloyHlty to their own ! organizations-is carried out openly | and without ultcrior motive, good | should result, Otherwise the plan IS to be denounced as unsodierlike and