The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-10-16
.OPENLEG|ON
. CONVENTION
ATN.OR[EANS.
Militant Declaration That
Bonus Fight Has Only
Just Begun
CBY J. BART cAMPBELL)

| While his buddies shouted and
stamped their approval. retiring
National Commander Hanford Mac
Inder opened the fourth annual
convention of the American Legion
here today with militant declara-
ton that the Soldiers Bonus fight
has only just begun.
From out Of the long. hard battle
he ard his aides directed unsuccess-
fully to put the adjusted compen-
sation" bill over the top at Wash
ington, MacNider asserted that mo
one man. untouched by war, without
| kith or kin to those who served. no
one group, financial or otherwise.
can stand between the wishes of the
American people and the fulfllment
of what they believe to be Just
obligation
He made no direct reference to
the veto by President Harding Of
the McCumber-F -Fordney bonus meas
ure nor TO the little group OF Sena-
tors who sustained the veto but he
left no doubt as to whom he defer
red as he carefully aimed each Of
his barbed verbal shafts at the op-
for the nations ex-service men.
"A great. well financed attack by
interests which we cannot help but
feel are sordid and selfish has given
US one little setback but those who
represent the people at Washington
are with US by great maiorities."
MacNider added. As he dwelt upon
the passage of the McCumber-Ford-
ney bill by a vote of 333 TO 20 in the
House and ~ to % In the senate.
We have only just started to
fight he said. The adjusted COM
pensation' legislation is right We
know 1t Is right and right always
prevails in America. 1t is not a
question Of raising the necessary
funds. A maximum annual pay
mont CT $4,000, 900 is not even an
appreciate fraction OF s4.0oo.o0o,-
600 national budget. that is simply
ca mouhage. thrown up to hide the
real issue
1T is a question OF promises un-
fulfilled. A question of whether
the nan who offered his life to his
country in time of its need is to be
left with the feeling that his coun-
try is unjust and ungrateful
That Is not for the good OF the
nation. That is not the desire OF
the people back home and in a re-
public there will be eventually car
ried out. That is our task and we
shall accomplish it,
Upon the scathing condemnation
of the National Governments care
Of sick and disabled war veterans
and the biting criticisms of Presi-
dent Harding and his personal ply
sician. Brig General Charles S
Sawyer, chief co-ordinator Of the
Federal Board of disqualification.
contained in the 15s page reported
made public previously by A. A.
Sprague. of Chicago. chairman of
the Legion's National rehabilitation
committee. MacNider stamped his
unqualified approval.
The committee" MacNider said.
forms a permanent foundation for
all our future work for the disab bled
men What is more. it means that
he is going to receive a square deal
from the country he fought for.
I feel that during the past year
tremendous results for the better
ment OF the disabled veterans-our
first duty always-have been attain
ed
The Legion has taken its place
on a national institution he declar-
ed at the outset of his carefully
prepared address. 1T is recogniz-
ed as the voice Of the American
women who served with the colors
during the great war. All America
realizes that it is great, growing
and dominant force in the nations
existence No man can stop IL but
must be our duty TO so build it that
its tremendous power and possibil-
tiles may be directed so it shall be
as 1t was dedicated--to our God and
our country"
Every man and women eligible
to membership in it must be made
to realize that II their best efforts
IS not in the Legion-that its high
ideals may be carried on. they are
just as much slackers. just as poor
Americans as those who hid when
the country's life was at stake
Reverting TO the first American
meeting of the Inter-Allied fedora
NlOil VI w OIlQ war N0ISIdHS Delnk
held here in conjunction with the
Legion convention. MacNider declar-
ed this organization has tremend-
Gus possibilities dream. perhaps
but in its fulfllment is a promise
OF tremendous service to all. the
wo1,1."
az ne Legion. through this fedora
tion-not as Pacifsts. for We be-
lieve in adeq- ate defense for our
country--but as men with hard earn
ed experience-we believe will prove
as strong. If not a stronger factor,
any International conference or
agreement toward the prevention
of future wars" he said
In referring TO the falling off of
the Legiona membership. in the
past year. MacNider said that he
was we'll aware of the definite stand
which has been taken in carrying
out your commands has not aided IN
recruiting or holding those who
place financial Gods as their Gods.
or who are not willing as good
Americans to forget their personal
prejudices to help serve the whole"