Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-04-13

Miller, past de-
Watson B. Miller. partment c o m =
m n r, is the
chairman. This series of meetings
brought more than forty legionnaires
from all parts of the United states to
washington, as we'll as National Com
1nander John l.. Quinn and Russell
.: CreEiston, the national adjutant.
he meetings Of this committee were
held at the Racquet Club.
The purpose of the conference was
40 expedite enactment by the Con-
EreSs of measures to bring relief to
disabled veterans of the world war.
These include amendments to the
W"r risk insurance act drawn by
Chairman Miller and Incorporated in
thc johnson bill, now before the
House committee on war veterans leglS-
lation, as well as further extension
"I the governments Disqualification
plan by the addition OF 5000 beds TO
the present tuberculosis and mental
hospitals. at an estimated cost OF
fl2,000,000
The members of the committee met
with the congressman Wednesday,
and Thursday afternoon they were
received by President Coolidge at
the United States Veterans Bureau
was also called into conference by the
committee members, with a view of
arranging administrative changes
looking TO the better handling of
veterans claims.
OF Importance particularly to local
leElonnalreS was the meeting OF the
department executive committee Mon
day night at the department head
quarters. Senior Vice Commander
William +. Franklin offered at this
meeting series of Legislative pro-
posalS be urged upon the Con-
gress which will materially aid
the work being carried on locally by
the American Legion If they can be
enacted into law.
Department Commander McGahan
announced at this meeting that the
annual ball given recently at the
New willard Hotel had Melted profit
OF $1,000, which had been applied to
the reduction of a note for 1880,
which is the only debt of the depart
nent.
"The members OF the American
Legion in the District are to be con-
graduated, declared Commander
MCtiahan over the fact that with
out appealing 10 the merchants and
business people Of Washington they
have effected the financial salvaging
OF their own department. Inside Of
six months an accumulation Of debts
has been wiped out. and at the pres
ont time the only debt of the District
of Colunb i4 department is 4 note for
$500. There is a small cash balance
in the treasury and no outsta nding
bills and to the everlasting credit
OF tn" District lsgionnaireS, they
have generously contributed TO the
department welfare fund. So that IL
tn" pas three months alone almost
$500 has been spent for relief work
among needy and stranded war vet
Grams, and there is an unexpended
balance of about $t00 on hand at
TIL present time.
Almost one-half OF the men and
women who We're members Of the
American Legion in this department
last year have paid their dues for
1929, and ! feel confident that with
tho proper cooperation with the
commanders of the respective posts
on the part Of the officers and mem
beers. this DEPARTMENT will exceed
last years membership mark. One
thing is certain. the District Of Co
lumbia department has the esteem OF
che people OF Washington, who are ap
prcCiating that il is not imposing on
their good nature and generosity by ap-
peals for assistance, and furthermore,
the zeal with which the officers of the
present administration, particularly the
credit has won word of COMMUNICATION
from ali quarters.
r. partInert Commander McGahan
and the buCic and drum corps of the
Vincent l.. Costello Post next
vania Society in their American
legion night reception in honor OF
department Commander J. Lee Col
Tins Of Pennsylvania and Past Depart
Of that department, while Thursday ne
will represent the department on the
occasion Of the annual pilgrimage
Of the Virginia Daughters of the
American Revolution to the tomb of
George Washington at Mount Vernon,
under the leadership of the state re-
gent. Or. Kate Waller Barrett
Plans for a reception in honor OF
distinguished veterans Of the Grand
Il
Cussion by members of the National
Press club Post of the American Lee
giCn. Capt. John II. Craige, L. $.
u. C.. commander of the post, will
2n"nthly meeting Of the post took
place last Tuesday at the National
Dress Club, and was attended by
large group. Past Post Commander
Col. r. w. Clark presided.
Lemuel Bolles, who for almost five
wears was the national adjutant of
the American Legion, visited here last
Tuesday and conferred with Paul J.
McGahan, the department commander
OF the American Legion, and several
other legion officials. He had just de-
lvered one Of the principal addresses at
the annual convention of the depart
ment of Florida
Announcement has been made at
every meeting of an American Lee
gton post in the District of Columbia
recently of the leap-year dance to
be given at the marine barracks
April 26 by the combined women's
posts of the department and the
units OF the department auxiliary.
The proceeds of this event are to be
applied to the general fund of the
department
Thomas ]. Frailey, Americaniza-
tion officer OF the District of Column
bia Department OF the American Le-
gion, has called upon each post to
appoint a similar officer. 1t is his
intention to call a meeting of this
group, which will form the Ameri-
Canization commission for the Dis
erict department. At this session
naturalization, school essay contests
and other features of the work will
DO discussed.
Vincent Costello Post, the Ameri-
can Legion, through its membership
committee, has launched drive for
new members and a check-up on old
members who have not paid their
1924 dues to date. Members of the
post are watching with interest the
progress of the suggestions that De-
partment Commander Paul McGann
will make to members of Congress
relating to the District appropria-