Evening star., 1924-12-05

! be not required to reimburse the Gov
ernment; slight increase Of compen-
sation to widows and children of
veterans; increase of allowance to
S205 for the funeral of a veteran
Some minor details are also recon-
mended..
The Army publication In Paris,
Stars and Stripes, made a net profit
Of S400, 900; it is now lying in the United
States Treasury. The legion urges
that that profit be set aside and it's
ration of the graves of American
veterans in Europe. This fund would
supplement the 100000 raised by the
legion for that purpose.
* * X *
The American Legion, including the
Legion Auxiliary of women of the
families of the veterans, now has
a membership exceeding one million.
The legion itself exceeds $50, 900 vet
Grams. 1t is said to be the largest
non-political and non-sectarian or
ganiZation in America. It's activities
are not confined to the interests
of its own membership, but cover the
interests of all veterans and their
dependents. 1t is now caring for
several hundred orphans of veterans
and in many communities its posts
are the leaders in local affairs and
in the preservation of law and order.
1t is far from being an organization
to promote militarism: on the con-
trary, it pledges its members:
ITO uphold and defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States of Amer
lea: to maintain law and order; to
foster and perpetuate a 100 per cent
Americanism; to preserve the mem
nP
tion in the great war; to inculcate
sense Of individual obligation to
the community, state and nation; to
combat the autocracy of both the
classes and the masses; to make
right the master of might; to pro-
mote peace and good will upon earth:
to safeguard and transmit to pos
terity the principles of Justice, free
dom and democracy; to consecrate
and sanctify our comradeship by our
devotion to mutual helpfulness."
These ideals are maintained in all
parts of America. In the District Of
Columbia the legion conditions are
less favorable to its activities than
elsewhere, because of the large num-
ber of small posts, and the peculiar
character OF the population. which
Is mainly In Government employ, and
especially because of the many other
organizations in Washington.
It was sharp contrast to note
| that in London there was an at
tendance Of some $4,000 people at
the celebration of Armistfce day. he
fore Buckingham Palace, while in
the National Capital of the United
states there was hardly any public
observance of the day-a handful oS
ieg1onnaires placed a wreath unon
the tomb Of President Wilson .s
commander-in-ch during the war
and another group of less tban
dozen veterans paid similar honors
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
at Arlington.
" = n
There are several hundred sick nv
wounded veterans in Walter Reed ana
Mount Alto Hospitals in Washington
most OF whom have been in hospi-
talixation during the six years since
the war. These men are cheered bv
visits of sympathetic friends, whether
legionnatres or other citizens; but too
few visitors go to the hospitals.
There are fine exceptions to this gem
eral Jack of attention, for the com
pany of Keith's Theater makes
weekly practice OF giving its entire
program free at Walter Reed Hos
pital for the enjoyment OF the hun
dreds of patients and 1t IL well known
what that prince OF entertainers,
Roxie, has done to provide radios
for every bed in all Veterans Bu-
reau hospitals throughout America,
thereby giving the sufferers in many