Evening star., 1925-08-16
Veterans of Great War

claims experts will assist the veterans
in presenting their appeals properly.
Complete decentralization by the
Veterans Bureau of its central office
board of appeals has now been ac-
complished," declared MIR. Miller,
and in future disabled veterans will
appeal their claims. not to Washing
ton, but to the five points at which
sections OF the central appeal board
are sitting"
There are sections now functioning
at Boston. New York. New Orleans.
Chicago and San Francisco. Director
Frank T. Hines of the Veterans Bu-
reau is considering recommendation
submitted by legion officials for the
establishment of a sixth section at
Denver.
These appeal groups will pass upon
claims which are appealed from the
action of the claims and rating
boards in the 50 regional offices OF the
bureau. Should the action of the APP
peal group be unsatisfactory to the
veteran he may still appeal his case
to the director of the bureau for per
sonal review. The claims department
of the rehabilitation committee OF the
legion will continue to function as In
the past for the purpose of represent
ing claimants directly before the
director.
Under the new system of handling
appeals it is believed that few cases
will find their way to Washington,
as the five branches of the appeal
board have all the authority of the
director himself to settle disputes.
The reorganization of the District OF
Columbia department OF the American
Legion and preliminary plans Tor the
attendance at the approaching national
convention at Omaha in October OF
the delegation representing the de-
partment marked the past week.
Department Commander julius L.
Peyser, at a meeting of the depart
ment executive committee held at the
new headquarters, 929 Flfteenth
street northwest. Monday night an
Rounced the appointment on various
department officers and committee
assignments for the ensuing year.
Wednesday night Commander Peyser
was host to the delegation that Will
go to Omaha at a dinner at the
Shoreham Hotel
Joseph ]. Idler, who has been de-
partment adiutant and executive
officer, was reappointed. Idler has
been executive officer of the depart
ment for almost four years and this
is his second term as department ad-
jutant.
Bernard s. Buscher, past depart
ment vice commander, was appointed
department finance officer. Miss
Helen O'Neill, u past department vice
commander, and William +. Franklin,
a past senior department vice COM
mander, were named as assistant de-
partment adjutants.
Norman 3. Landreau, past COM
mander Of the Cooley Mccullough
Post, was remained as the depart
ment judge advocate. DIR. c. B. Mac
Neill was named as the department
surgeon.
Rev. Francis J. Hurney, a past de-
partment chaplain, was again desig-
mated as the department chaplain.
William Wolff Smith was named
department historian; Harlan F.
Wood. department Americanism off,
Ger; Paul Twyman. department ath
letic officer: a. Rubin. department.
sergeant-at- arms; Alexander Mann,
department master at arms; West A.
Hamilton, department quartermaster;
Louis Green, department bugfer, and
Past Post Commander II. l.. Wilson was
named for his fourth term as de-
partment legislative officer.
George Davis and James H. Allen
were designated as the department
color bearers.
James E. Stewart was named as
chairman of the child welfare COM
mittee, and Commander Charles
Kohen of the Vincent B. Costello
Post was selected as the chairman of
the entertainment and hospital COM
mittee.
Senior Department Vice Command
er Thomas ]. Frailey and Past
Senior Department Vice Command
er Francis F.. Miller We're designated
as the American Legion members of
the veterans joint committee.
Walter Bruce Howe, past Com-
mander of the Augustus p. Gardner
Post, was named as chairman of the
ways and means committee, the
membership of which includes Past
National Vice Commander Watson B.
Miller; Miss Alice NJ. .Prentiss, COM
mander of the Jane A. Delano Post;
Wallace Streater. commander of the
George Washington Post; J. Miller