The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-21
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS

The father of his country probably
| would turn over in his grave if he
could see the name of one George w.
Washington on the latest draft evader
list sent out by the government. To
corral the more than 10000 slackers
at large in the United States is a part
of the 1922 program of the American
Legion, but it does not promise to be
an easy task.
Another listed member of the Berg
doll fraternity is Hoa Hum, who evil
IDENTIFY was too tired or bored to join
UP. Charles Kaiser might have been
excused for family reasons, but he
didn't even show up before a draft
board. Another listed is Sam Browne,
who displayed no desire to wear the
belt
An especial effort probably will be
put forth to capture one Ton MIX
who would have added vim and ViSor
to the war had he participated. Grover
Cleveland johnson has more sympathy
for BergdoH than he did for the late
president.
William johnson. whose address was
given simply and clearly as Tight AL
ley" probably got in and couldn't get
out. Rudolph Linck, gone without a
trace, is surely enough the missing
one.
Maj. Gen. Harris, adjutant general
of the army, has recommended that
congress appropriate $4,000 to pay
rewG-'ds OF $50 for each draft evader
delivered to the military authorities.
Many post of the legion, on the trail
of slackers, have signified their in
tention of collecting the rewards and
using the money for the relief of
needy or disabled ex-soldiers.
The American Legion will plead its
"a ga Il before
every chamber of commerce in the
country, according to plan of Hand
ford MacNider, national commander.
The. legion's object is to obtain de-
the nationwide referendum on the
subject which has been called for
by the United States Chamber of Com.
merce at Washington. This body went
on record against compensation at its
last annual meeting and has since
waged a bitter fight on the Legions
bill. but there have been indications
that its attitude has not reflected
faithfully the stand of many of its in
dividual members. Chambers in such
important cities as Cleveland, O.;
Seattle, Wash; Portland, Ore, and
some twenty others have openly re-
pudiated the position of the national
organization and have adopted resolu-
tions supporting compensation.
That the legion's attitude has been
befogged by opponents of the measure
is charged in a letter from MacNider
to the president of the Federal cham
Der. copies of which have been dis
tributed to every post. MacNider
claims that mistaken idea of the bill
has been spread abroad by the per-
sistent attack on the cash bonus
clause, which is only one of five pro-
visions for adjusted compensation
Cash, vocational training, paid-up
20-year endowment insurance, farm
or home aid, and land settlement are
the five optional forms, and MacNider
contends the cash payment will not be
seized upon by an unreasonable per-
centage of exservice men because it
offers the least actual value of all.
Our point is that no referendum
can be fair unless those who consider
the question know what the immediate
issue is" the letter reads. I'VE urge
that every facility be gi them to
understand
The following extract is taken from
the December hospital report SUBJ
mitted by the welfare committee of
the American Legion auxiliary unit at
Wichita to department headquarters
at Topeka: Ever man in the hos
pitfalls tSt. Frances and Wesley was
asked what he most desired for Christ
mas. Their wishes ranged all the way
from a pair of bedroom slippers to
particular thing for which he had
expressed a preference. During the
holidays we raised a Christmas fund
to which Wichita merchants and other
residents contributed very literally.
Many units over the state responded
promptly and generously to the call
sent from department headquarters
asking for their assistance in making
possible this Christmas treat for the
disabled men in Wichita hospitals
Some sent money. other sent clothing,
or food. In the past seven months
we have made 119 hospital visits and
1,745 individual calls, rendered 227
services. made and answered 551
phone calls. purchased los pieces of
clothing and obtained AL from other
sources, turned in twenty compensa-
tions. and assisted the families of four
ex-service men,"
The committee in charge of this
magnanimous work is composed of
Mrs. Grace L jackson, chairman of
the committee; Mrs. Clara H. Layne.
who is also president of the Wichita
unit, and Mrs. E E. Bleckley who is
a member of the state executive COM
mittee.