Evening star., 1924-06-15

cussion in legion circles of the vari-
Gus candidates. that have been
launched for the department offices
that will be filled on the night of
August >.
During the next fortnight the de-
partment headquarters. which have
been located to 1923 New York ave-
nue. since the organization of the Dis
trict of Columbia department-and 1t
was the first department to be char
tered by the American Legion-will
be removed. The building is to be
= torn down and new location Tor
local legion headquarters is being
sought at the present time.
I'm the session of Congress that
has just concluded much of benefit
and interest to the world war veterans
of the country and of the District of
Columbia in particular has been en-
acted into law" declared Paul j. Nc
Gdhan. the department commander.
last night.
I'm the battle before the Congress
for the success of these Legislative
measures the District of Columbia
department has contributed notably.
The fight for the veterans adjusted
compensation measure was largely in
the hands of John Thomas Taylor.
vice chairman of the national legis-
lative committee and a member of
George Washington post.
"And in the enactment of the Reed
Johnson bill codifying the laws and
charging them with regard to the
great task of rehablitating the dis
abled Of the world war and their de-
pendents, and anticipating better
functioning of the Veterans Bureau,
much of the credit must be given to
Watson b. Miller, d past departme It
commander, who is the chairman of
the national reha bilitation committee.
This bill-although far from per
fect-makes great forward strides in
the matter of providing equita BILE
treatment for those who suffer dis
abilities due to their wartime SerV-
Ice 1t contains many improvements s
which have been suggested by the
American Legion, and ever since the
last national convention of the legion,
at San Francisco, Chairman Miller has
been constantly on the job before
Congress and the officials Of the Vet
Grams Bureau. seeking to bring about
the happy results that will come
through the measure which has just
become a law
suggestions put forward by Will
liam +. Franklin. senior vice COM
nander of the department.. and prose-
cuted by Representative Lamar JEFF
ferS and myself have also brought
about legislation i'm connection with
the District appropriation bill which
will make the American Legion To-
cally better able to help the dis
tressed service men and members of
their families who come to Washing
ton seeking the adjustment of claims.
In the past year the members of
the American Legion in the District
of Columbia have demonstrated to the
community generally in many ways
that they represent splendid ele-
pent in the life and affairs of the
Capital, and their influence is destined
to become greater. because of the
deepening conviction on their part of
their sense of obligation to the COM
munity and to the nation.
Former service men are finding
in the American Legion a helpful in
f1uence as well as a help. and there Is
q steady growth in membership To-
cally. And during the next few
months, when the American Legion
units are cooperating with the War
Department in the distribution of ap-
plication blanks for adjusted com
that there will be many additions to
the membership locally"
The various units of the American
Legion participated in the Flag day
ceremonies held yesterday on the
Ellipse under War Department aus
pices. and on Friday Department
Commander McGahan delivered a
Flag day address at the Gales School.
The department budget committee,
of which Past Commander George w.
Tate of SpenGler Post is the chair
man, held ii meeting at the head
quarters Friday night and discussed
the future program of the depart
ment, especially with regard to
finances. At the present time the de-
partment has no obligations or debts.
but neither has it an appreciahle cash
reserve. and the question of an in
crease in department dues, which Will
come up at the department conven-
tion, was considered at length.
Vincent B. Costello Unit will
meet Tuesday at s pm. at 1923 New
York avenue. Mrs. +. Lefferts was
unit chairman of the poppy COM
mittee.
Brig. Gen. Henry ]. Reilly, chair
man of the executive committee for
the coming national convention of
the Military Order of the World War.
at Boston, and Lieut.. Col. Carroll j.
Swan, who heads the committee on
arrang ements and entertainment. are
busily engaged in forming detailed
plans.
Tt is stated it is anticipated that
the serious side of the convention
TOURS