The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-10-15
OFFICERS
SMELL POLITICS
Presence of Vet Bureau
Head at Convention
Kicks Up a Fuss

Hy the Associated Press.
NEW ORLEANS. oct. 1A.-State-
mcnts by william J.. Dccgan. state
commander OF the American Legion
/ Ia New York, that he regarded the
I Iprosence at the legion convention OF
/ Col. II. g. Forbes, head OF tho United
states veterans bureau. as an at.
| tempt ly the republican national ad-
ministratiun 10 influence the Holoc-
/ tion of national commander of the
/ legion, were met by Colonel Forbes
today with flat denial that the nd
ministration supported or opposed
/ the candidacy OF any man for ma
I tional head Of the legion.
Dccgan Was Surprised.
Commander Dccgan OF New York.
who is uvowcd candidate for ma
tlonal commandcrship. said he was
surprised by the announcement that
Colonel Forbes planned to attend the
legion convention and charged that
he came here In fact 20 use his in
fluence TO procure the selection OF
an American Legion head acceptable
60 the republican administration.
Such head, according to Com
mandcr Dccgan. and to j. l.. Noonan.
state adiutant Of the legion IN Mie-
a"nri. who has been designated as
campaign manager for tho New
York man, would be a man who
would not continue an active fight in
behalf OF the soldier bonus
Colonel Forbes, who reached here
today. was emphatic In his denial
that any such motive actuated his
coming.
Forbes Invited Guest.
loo y IN II. q. U.f "a
statement the head of the Veterans
bureau said, In a statement TO news
paper men. 81 have come here as
the invited guest OF the American
Legion and It's present national COM
mander. Hanford MacNider, bring
Ing with me n number of depart
ment heads OF the veterans bureau.
Our reason for coming was to take
up at first hand with the legion,
during the convention. any cases of
disabled men not receiving proper
attention IN order 60 facilitate their
relief. ] have forbidden all members
OF my party 20 take any part in the
working for or against any candl-
date for national commander.
THE administration in Maehing-
ton has no candidate. Il is not in
terested in the selection or defeat OF
any man for head OF the legion.
would not countenance any such
activity nor would President Hard
ing permit me 20 do 80. when
was invited TO come here / discussed
the matter with the president and
he told me to come here and render
any possible service to the dlsa blcd.
Wants Overseas Man Named.
"As a legiOnndire, ] had hoped TO
see some one selected to head the
legion who had been overseas and
member OF combat unit.
Commander Deegan did not sec
service overseas.
Il never in my life had any quar-
rel with Deegan, have discussed
one or two cases OF disabled men
with him, | think he is unnecessar-
lily alarmed, and that he has become
ovor-zealous in his aspirations for
the national commandership OF the
legion.
NEW ORLEANS, oct. 1.-THE
American Legion started arriving In
force here today for the annual ma
tional convention which begins Mon
day and found New Orleans ready
to receive them Every train ar
rivlng in the city brought hundreds
OF visitors. with them cHme TO first
view OF the novel features the states
have adopted to establish their
identity.
All hotels became the scenes OF big
reunions when "buddics' began 10
meet and fight the war over again.
IL was estimated tonight that about
a fourth Of the legionnaircs had
reached the city although no big
delegations have arrived. Approx
mately one hundred thousand legion
naires are expected. according TO the
leaders OF various states who are al
ready here.
Lobbies were the scenes OF i'm
promptu concerts by legionnaires.
Heads together, "hlnkey dlnkey
parlez vous" and many OF the other
war songs featured by the A. II. r.
echoed. Iowa delegates loudly sang
that their state Is where 'the tall
corn grows"