Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-09-16
HINES ON BUREAU

81. raul, MIMI, sept. lo.-1he
United States Veterans Bureau has
been cleaned Up but It cannot take
another forward step unless public
confidence In our work is preserved
by n cessation of turmoil and base
less condemnation" declared Gen.
Frank r. Hines director of the bu-
rcau. At the American Legion con-
vention today.
General Hines complimcnted the
Legion for responding to his appeal
for its whole hearted cooperation.
Il think" he said. that never
before has it been so necessary for
us all to form a Just and true ap-
probation Of what has lately Secn
accomplished and then to see 10 II,
by every means in our power. that
the people of the United States have
an understanding knowledge of the
great work that has been done for
the men disabled by service in time
of war.
II find the air is at this moment
full of presagcs and rumors that at
taclIs will shortly again be made
upon the veterans bureau. THAI
propaganda of certain sort is In
preparation for use In aid OF pur-
poses not ut all connected with the
interests OF the eN-scrvicc men ana
that publicity campaigns are pro-
icctcd in which ii is intended to drag
ont the mistakes and errors OF the
past before YOU and put our Shout
ders TO the vince! and so to visit RS
II were, the sins of the fathers upon
the children OF the third and fourth
generations"
you and ] know very well that
there was at one time something
amiss in the United States Veterans
Bureau--that until lately theret was
always something considerably
wrong with the administration OF rs
soldier relief. The roots of those
troubles lay far back In the begin
ming when these government agen-
cie6 were hastily organized under
the stress Of actual warfare, imper-
.fectly thought out. incfiiciently
manned and administered and Hog
ically and spasinodically developed
in times of peace.
Defending his administration Cen
cral Hines said:
III II shall be said that there IL
anything fundamentally wrong with
the veterans bureau now such state
ments shall be untrue. / am not so
foolish rs to suggest that the admin
istration OF veteran relief Is now
perfect thing; 1. never can he that
and never WILL but we can say-for
1t Is truth itself-that an enormous
stride has been taken
General Charles c. Dawes. Repuh-
lican vice presidential nominee. will
be entertained as distinguished le-
gionnaire when he visits the convcn-
ton tomorrow
A dinner will be given him In the
evening and he will reveicw the le-
gion parade in tn afternoon.
Leo NJ. Harlow, department com
mander OF Massachusetts. on behalf
of his department. presented to Com
mander Quinn gavel made from the
wood OF the Washington Elm. the
tree under which George Washington
stood when he took command OF the
Revolutionary troops.
President Coolidge. in n letter to
the convention expressed regret ct
his inability to attend and expressed
dep interest in the proceedings.
By n rising vote the American Ie-
gion convention at it's first session
today instructed that the world army
fight aviators be invited to visit the
convention and that the secretary Of
war be instructed to make possible
acceptance of this invitation. ..