Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-10-19
WAR DISABLED
ARE FIRST CARE
Legion Told Beiiernents Have
Been Attained
BONUS FIGHT TO 60 on

National Commander MacNider De-
Iivers Report to Fourth National
Convention.
New Orleans. declaration of
the American Legion regarded the
interests of the disabled service
man as its first responsibility and that
with regard to the adjusted compen-
sation act, we've just started to
fight" were outstanding points in the
report Of Hanford MacNider, national
commander, delivered before the
fourth annual convention of the Le-
gion at its opening session. The con-
vention will last five days.
THE adjusted compensation legis-
lation is right-we know it is right
and right always prevails in America, :"
the report declared.
"A great, well financed attack by
Interests which we cannot help but
feel are sordid and selfish, mss 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, with
out kith or kin to those who served
no one groups financial or otherwise,
can stand between the wishes of the
American people and the fulfillment of
what they believe to be just ebliga-
ton.
Starting a year Of membership dur
I ing one of the greatest Industrial de-
EXPRESSIONS America has ever experience
ed, the American Legion has grown in
. membership. Its posts, active and
functioning in forty-nine departments
in this country, and twenty-three 9TH
ers scattered over the globe, numbered
more than 1900
The membership now, in this fourth
year, is the solid, substantial, actual
fighting gang, who intend to stay with
il, to carry on through all the coming
years, that this Legion of ours shall
be the greatest outstanding symbol
Of service to all America
Il feel personally tremendous re-
suits for the betterment Of the dsa-
bled veterans -our first duty always
have been attained. The national re-
Mobilization committee forms per-
manent foundation for all our future
work for the disabled man. What is
more, it means he is going to receive
a square deal from the country he
fought for
Starting the day before Christmas
with a successful appeal fer bedside
decisions to save the lives Of men
harassed with every worry and chok-,
ing with red tape, this committee built
up a tremendous record of construc-
tive service. You, by your member
j ship have given the Legion the power
and prestige to carry on this work.
Let me acknowledge the financial
assistance Of the American Red Gross,
which Las made possible the mainten-
ance of our liaiso1 representatives in
every veterans bureau district.
The military affairs committee has
had a particularly active year. You
win be particularly Interested in that
part Of its work which covered your
+ reconamendations for a universal draft
system III time Of war.
THE report Of the committee on
naval affairs was not completed be-
fore our whole naval program was
endangered. We went to congress
asking that adequate defense be main
tanned. Our support has been ack-
nowledged as Of Importance in the
final outcome by the administration.
"The national legislative committee
represents to you this year a record
unsurpassed by any organization in the
history Of the nation. 1t has estab-
1ished the Legion as the greatest force
for constructive legislation for the ma
ton. and for the returned service
men,
Request for ten-million dollar APP
preparation to equip hospitals now be-
ing constructed, and to build addition
al hospitals for neuro psychiatric pa
tients was contained in the report Of
the commission of rehabilitation,
which was placed before the .conven-
ton.
The report, after commencing con-
gress for enacting beneficial laws, ex-
coriated Individual congressman and
senators for wha. t terms "their en-
deayors to locate hospitals where they
cannot be used, an TO keep hospitals
where they are no leeded, and to Sc
cure employment for their friends.