The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-16

 BAT
 START
Commander MacNider Urges Vets to Stand Firmly for Square Deal.

New Orleans, Oct. -16:-While proval, retiring National Com l mandcr Hanford MacNfder opened the fourth annual conven- ton of the American Legion here today with a militant declaration that the soldiers bonus fight has oIlly just begun.
 From ont of the long, hard battle he and his aides directed unSucceSs- fully to put the adjusted compensa- tion' bill over the top at WaShingtO on, MacNider asserted that mo one man, untouched by war, without kith or kin, to those who served, in one group, financial or otherwise can stand be- tween the wishes of the American people and the fulfilment of what they believe to be a just obligation" Ignored the Veto. He made no direct reference to the veto by President Harding of the Me Cumber-Fordney bonus measure nor to the little group of senators who sustained the veto but he left no doubt as to whom he referred as he carefully aimed each of has barbed shafts at the opponents of "adjuSted compensation" for the nations ex- service men.
 "A great weF-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 majorities," Mac Nider added as he dwelt upon the passage of the MoCumber-F -Fordney bill by a vote of 333 to 70 in the
 "We have only just started to fight" he said 'yrhe adjusted com pensation legislation is right. We know it is right and right always tion of raising the necessary funds. maximum annual payment of s4oo,o 100000 is not even an apprecia- hle fraction Of a $4,000, 100000 na- tiona1 budget. That is simply camou- fage thrown up to hide the real issue.
 An UunGratefuI Nation.
 "It Is a question of promises un- fulfilled, a question of whether the try in time of it's need is to be left with the feeling that his country is unjust and ungratefui''
 That is not for the good of the na- tion, that is not the desire of the people back home and in republic their will will be eventually carried out. That is our task and we shall accomplish it.''
 of the national governments care of sick and disabled world war veter- ans and the biting criticisms of Pres ident Harding and his personal phys ician Brig. Gen. Charles E. Sawyer, chief coordinator of the Federal Board of Hospitalizatfon, contained in the 158 page report made public previous ly by s. A. Sprague of Chicago, chair man of the Legion's National Rehab- ilitation Committee, MacNider stamp ed his unqualified approval.
 Square Deal Demanded. 'The committed, MacNider said, forms a permanent foundation for all our future work for disabled men. What is more, it means that he is go- ing to receive a square deal from the country he fought for. I feel that during the past year, tremendous re- suits for the betterment of the dis abled veteran-our first duty always have been attained.
 '"The Legion has taken it's place as national institution" he declared at the outset of his carefully prepared address. Tt is recognized as the voice of the American women who served with the colors during the great war. All America realizes that it is a great, growing and dominant force in the nations existence. No man can stop it but it must be our duty to so build it that it's tremen- dous power and possibilities may be directed so it shall be as it was ded- try"
 Legion "Siackers" Hit.
 Every man and woman eligible to membership in it must be made to realize-that if their best efforts are not in the Legion-that it's 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-aIlied Fed eration of World War Veterans being held here in conjunction with the Legion convention, MacNider declared this organization has tremendous possi- fulfillment is a promise of trem endo ous service to all the world.''
 "The Legion, through this federal
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