The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-25
LEGISLATIVE
PLAN GIVEN
BY OWSLEY
American Legion Program
for Next Congress Covers
Wide Field,
BY ALVIN OWSLEY,

National Commander American Legion
m HE American Legion will pre-
sent to the. next Congress a
IL program of legislation formu.
lated to obtain justice for those who
fought in the World War and to
stimulate a spirit of patriotism and
higher citizenship in this country
The Legion's first interest is the
welfare of disabled veterans Of the
great war. We shall ask for Iegis-
lation amending the war risk insur.
ance act to extend the scope Of hos
EQUALIZATION and rehabilitation to thou
sands Of sick and wounded comrades
who are unable to obtain relief under
the provisions Of the Sweet bill, and
that Congress consider thoroughly the
report Of the senatorial committee
named to investigate the Veterans
Bureau.
Farm Aid
The legion will urge that aid be
extended only to those veterans who
deserve assistance.
Adjusted compensation for all war
fighters will be pushed by the legion
and there is very little doubt that
1t will be granted in the next session
Of Congress.
1t is our plan to minimize the
cash option OF compensation and to
place special emphasis upon the land
settlement and farm aid features.
If thousands of virile and ener-
getic veterans could be induced to
go back to the land, America would
prosper from an increase in produo-
ton, whereas today there are vast
areas Of land uncultivated because
Of an actual shortage of man power.
AS a definite means of furthering
world peace, and justice to all, we
shall ask Congress to adopt legisla-
ton providing for a universal draft
of capital, labor and industry in all
future wars, so that the man in the
trenches will not bear the brunt Of
the conflict while those who stay at
home prosper.
Select Immigrants"
Believing that the safety OF our in
stitutions and democratic principles
are threatened by unrestricted immi-
grafton. the Legion will ask Congress
to declare an immigration holiday of
five years, during which time there
shall be an opportunity for those
aliens who are already in our midst
TO embrace the Ideals of Au.ericanism
and become good citizens.
Intelligent selection OF immigrants
in their native lands and assistance
to them in establishing themselves in
America, will be recommended as
future policies following the end Of
the period of exclusion.
The Legion feels that the I'M
Americanized colonies of foreigners
serve as centers for the activities Of
Communists and Bolshevists. and
that the interests Of the country will
be best conserved by restricting the
flood OF alien hordes from Europe.
Vets Committee
A most important measure which
we desire Congress to enact is a res
olution to create a special veterans
committee in the House OF Represen-
tatives, which will analyze and frame
all legislation affecting veterans of
the World War.
This will centralize responsibility
for consideration of veterans meas
ures. Under this arrangement ,legis-
lation affecting the disabled will be
thoroughly examined by only seven
teen congressman. whereas now, more
than 200 congressman. serving on
eight committees, must consider this
legislation.
Congress will be asked to extend the
same retirement privileges to the dis
abled emergency and National Guard
officers which have already been ex-
tended to the regular officers OF the
Army. Navy and Marine Corps. Other
proposals will be authorization Of an
archives building in Washington In
which to preserve records of the war
and the distribution over the United
States Of the more than 100000 cap
tured and surrendered weapons OF the
war.