The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-21


James F. Barton, national
adjutant of the legion, also
was informed of the allega-
lions and may assist O'Neil.
For years, members of the organ
ization, some of them connected in
official positions, have charged verb
ally that contracts have been let i'm
properly; that the national staff OF
the legion was over-paid and eX-
cessive and that salaries and ex-
pense accounts of officials were not
handled regularly.
In some instances, officials have
admitted, rumors of dissatisfaction
have brought storms in legion ses-
sessions. These matters also will be
included in O'Neils investigation.
Pledged Program of Economy
O'NeiI was elected national COM
mander of the Legion at the recent
Boston convention, and pledged
program of rigid economy and eff
cheney.
First step in the program and the
study was told The Times today by
O'Neil He has appointed a COM
mittee to handle the finances OF the
American Legion Monthly official
organization publication. This mag
azine receives rs per cent of the 81
a year sent the national organiza-
ton as dues from each OF 885,5o3
LegionnaireS on the rolls.
Under the new program, outlined
by ONeil, the Monthly's officials no
longer will be permitted to carry
large balances in banks. A working
balance of $4,000, secured by 2
bond, will be all of the money taken
in that will be on hand.
Committee to Rule Funds
Heretofore, publication heads drew
out funds as they were needed or
desired, O'Neil pointed out. Now
committee of three men will pass
on the expenditures and see that
the money, over the working
balance. is invested in government
securities or in safe municipal
bonds. No more than $4,000 can
be spent on any. one municipalities
bonds and each proposed purchase
must be approved by the committee.
ONeil said the organization may
have to borrow money at times, but
this was deemed more advisable
than permitting large sums to re-
main in banks in various parts OF
the country.
Under the new system no money
can be spent for investment pur-
poses either in The publications.
operations or the Legion adminls-
trative departments without the
surveillance either of the new COM
mittee or the regular Legion
financial committee that has been
in operation some time.
Studying Entire Administration
Members of the newly appointed
committee are Frank Belgrano Of
San Francisco. chairman; Eugene
Kinder Of Lincoln, Neb., and Villas
Whaley of Wisconsin.
Bowman Elder, national treasurer,
who has been the target for nuner-
Gus complaints, will not handle the
sale or purchase Of bonds.
Il am studying the entire admin
istration and financial setup of this
organization" ONeil said. THE
national commander has to spend
much time on the road and I know
that in the last thirty days, depart
ments which have come under my
survey have been functioning eff
GENTLY.
There will be no politics in the
legion. There will be no unneces-
sary expenditures, either. I have
called in the officials and made
those assertions. No one group or
clique is going to control finances
and any moves to gain control or
power by clique maneuvers will be
stamped out"
Salary Raises Are Banned
ONeil said he had issued an order
that there will be no salary raises.
One of the charges before the COM
mander was that with the political
group power many men in the or
ganization have had their salaries
boosted by pull
Frankly, there are going to be
some changes, ONeil continued. In
the first place, less money is going
to be spent on field workers in the
various branches and this money is
going to go to rehabilitation of the
disabled for child welfare"
Elder was the target for charges
from Legionnaires because, they
alleged. he had been in Legion pol
itics too often. Ofhcials of the or
ganization admitted this matter had
been laid before them.
Elder serves without pay and
handles large amounts N money