Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-02-22
Legion May Oppose State Bonus
Move.

A reversal Of the stand OF the American
Legion on the question Of State bonus
for ex-servce men was indicated Saturday
in letter sent to all Legion posts In Mary
land by Harold C. Smith. commander Of
the Maryland Department OF the Legion.
Mr.. Smith opposes a bonus which. he
says, would hurt the interests Of the needy
veterans.
When the first soldier bonus bill was
taken up in the Legislature shortly after
the rehabilitation Of the World War army
the Legion at its annual State convention
supported the proposition. At that time
the newly discharged men were having
difficulties re-establishine themselves in
civil life, it was explained by Arthur L.
h~rr~ department adiutant. on behalf Of
Hr Smith.
The iosk Of tht Anne -8n Lesion 10
arst End fofemos. 10 aid die Jed ane needy
ey-seryiee men and Il Is fer department
hesdquafters THAI the gran, 90 sosw
10 al veterans could oniY rass.3 tifs -"
Mr.. McGee s. i'd
10 providing fuo1 .1- sfat number
y dfens who sr- able lake care Of
tnemsel, e. O hsas alyn would be laid
On the aFers Gl. what is worse. the
real er1 lem would remain practi.
e a.as ed.
amber Of needy veterans has been
sga,.Ing rapidly. In 1928 there were l,0l0
men who applied at this Office alone among
the many places in which aid was sought
from the veteran relief fund Of $4,000.
The law authorizing this fund provides it
shall be used
"'For the purpose OF providing the neces-
stiles Of life for such veterans Of the World
War or other wars. or the widows or infant
children OF such veterans as are sick. dis
abled or INDECENT and who are without any
means to pay for such necessities or for
the proper care. and for the purpose Of
providing necessary funeral expenses Of
such veterans. and for the further purpose
of providing reasonable compensation to
members Of the Maryland National Guard
who are injured in line Of duty. and in case
such members are killed in line of duty,
then to the widows and infant children OF
such members
The Legion was largely instrumental
in securing the adoption of this relief meas
ure. These headquarters feel that all Of
the money appropriated for veterans today
should 60 exclusively to those In actual
want.
1T should be noted that of the 1910 ap-
plicants to the Legion for State relief. only
eight were Legionaires. Other relief activi.
tives Of this Office last year included the
handling Of 996 applications for loans
securing hospital cation and other medca
treatment for l06 veterans and the hand
ling Of compensation claims for disabilities
filed by 883 former soldiers.
The grant Of hundred dollars or SC
to all veterans would mean little or nothing
to most men who were in the Worlt
War but it would create feeling that the
State had done its full duty to the veterans
which would be unfortunate In that II
would halt essential relief The veterans
themselves would pay a considerable por
ton Of their own bonus in taxes"
In his letter Mr.. Smith says. lit is thought
that the American Legion is not interested
in the bonus bill as il now stands" and
adds
I'VE feel that the needy veterans are
better served through the World War Re-
lief Commission Fund