New Britain herald., 1922-10-16
National Commander, at New Orleans Convention, Plays "Sordid" Financial Interests That Have Blocked Bonus Legislation
California Making Strong Bid for Session to Be Held in 1923-City Is in Gala Attire.

New Orleans, Oct 16.-A declara- 1 ton tlfat the American Legion re- garded the interests of the disabled service man as it's first responsibility and that with regard to the adjusted l compensation act we've just started l to aght," were outstanding points in 1 the report of Hanford MacNider, na- 1 tional commander, delivered before 1 the fourth annual convention of the Legion at it's opening session here to- l day. With regard to adjusted compen-
 sation legislation" the report de- ] clared, we've only just started to fight. The adjusted compensation l legislation is right-we know 1t is right-and right always prevails in America.
 Hits At Opponents. "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 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 group. financial or other wise can stand between the wishes of the American people and the fulfill ment of what they believe to be just obligation.
 "The Legion is recognized as the voice of the men and women who served. It is our duty to 50 build it that it's tremendous power and possi- bilities may be directed that it shall be, as it was, dedicated to the high. est service to our God and to our country
 Membership Increases.
 Starting a year of membership during one of the greatest industrial depressions America has ever exper- fenced. the American Legion has grown. Its posts, active and funcsson- ing in 49 departments in this coun- try and 23 others scattered over the globe number 1t,2oo.
 The mem mbership now in it's fourth year, is the solid, substantial actual fighting gang, who intend to stay with it to carry on through all the z coming years, that this Legion of ours shall be the greatest outstanding SS iiibol Ol SCI NlCc tO all AHlcTlCd.
 Forty per cent of the Legion's membership is in towns of under 2,5oo-the highest type of American citizenship.
 Sure of Square Deal.
 T feel personally that tremendous results for the betterment of the dis abled veterans-our first duty always have been attained. The national rehabilitation committee forms 8 per- manent foundation for all our future work for the disabled man. What is more, it means that he is going to re- ceive square deal from the country he fought for"
 Meet In Warehouse.
 The American Legion opened its fourth national convention in a con- verted warehouse on the Mississippi river front, decorated with flags of the allied nations and red, white and blue bunting. The Legion heard the re- ports of it's national commander and adjutant
 Clad in uniforms, civilian clothes and the costumes adopted by state delegations, the veterans of the world war last night made merry. held im- promptu street dances and generally enjoyed incidents of the reunion.
 Practically every state in the union was represented when the convention met as well as a mum mber of terri. -orlal possessions and representatives of posts of the Legion in foreign countries
 California There Strong.
 Delegates from, Col;for,io contestant for 1923 national arrived here clad in broad orlmmed black hats, red shirts and inee boots, the costume of the forty liners See the west" was the slo- gan Of the Pacific coast delegates. and hey were making themselves seen 'hd heard, distributing poppies to delegates and to their women folk.
 A dozen medleys, reminiscent of he war, floated through hotel Hobbies # New Orleans last night From the 'tar spangled Banner to " Hail. Hail, ne Gangs All Here, none of the old aVorites was forgotten The veterans apsed from English into French with oyous abandon.
 New Orleans, ancient center of 'rench civilization in the New World. esounded to the tramp of young nen's feet-also the feet of young fomen who served in the navy and he army nurse corps during the war. S well as the women, old and young. 'ho kept the home fires burninx'' our and five years ago, and are here oday as delegates and visitors to the Af