Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-23

centage gains in 1890 paid-up members
as compared with last year, the posi-
lions of the leaders in the three classes
were not affected
In class / for the Earl j. Brown
Trophy, Sergt. Jasper Post still leads
with a total paid-up membership of 10
per cent; u. S. S. Jacob Jones Post, Sc
per cent, a gain of per cent during
the week; George Washington Post 81
per cent; Augustus p. Gardner Post, so
per cent, gain of per cent; Victory
Post AZ per cent: Vincent B. Costello
Post, SO per cent; James E. Walker
Post, 81 per cent.
Jane A. Delano Post continues to
lead in class for the L. E. Atkins
Trophy, with 90 per cent, followed by
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Post, with 81 per cent; Lincoln Post. 70
per cent; Second DAision Post, So per
cent, gain of per cent; Lafayette, So
per cent; Stuart Walcott Post, so per
cent; Kenneth H Nash Post, Al per
cent; quentin Roosevelt Post, As per
cent; Henry c. Spengler Post. As per
cent, gain of 4 per cent; James Reese
Europe Post, 80 per cent.
With per cent gain during the
past week National Press Club Post in
creased its lead for first honors in class
for the Mabel F. Staub trophy from So
to So per cent, followed by Cooley-Mc-
p McGroarty, IS per cent; Belleau
Wood, Al per cent: George E. Killeen
Post, % per cent; Tank Corps Post, %
per cent.
Department Membership Chairman
William e. Spicer continues to urge local
posts to speed up the work of having
their 1880 members pay up their dues in
order that the membership campaign
may be cleaned up and make room for
other activities planned by the national
commander.
Members of the American Legion, not
only in the National Capital, but
throughout the country, will be inter
ested in the bill introduced last week
by Senator Sheppard of Texas, to amend
the Senate rules and create commit
tee on World War veterans legislation,
similar to that in existence in the House
of Representatives. The bill would pro-
vide for the appointment of Is members
on this committee from the upper body
and would handle all matters affecting
veterans legislation. On two previous
occasions Senator Sheppard has intro
duced similar bills, but the sessions adj
journed without favorable action upon
the proposals. The request for such
Senate committee was one of the man
dates of the national convention held at
Louisville last year and its creation
would materially serve the cause of the
disabled in Congress. Veterans affairs
are now handled in the Senate by a
subcommittee of the finance committee.
AS this latter is one of the busiest COM
mitteeS in either branch, veterans az
fairs have not been, it is stated, receiv-
ing adequate Senate committee consid-
Grafton.
A hearing Is to be held this week by
the House committee on military affairs
to allow the Secretary of War to con-
struct approaches and surroundings to
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in
Arlington National Cemetery. The bill
as introduced in the House provides
that the plans for the approaches, sur
roundings and adjacent roadways to the
tomb shall be approved by the Arlington
Cemetery Commission, the American
Battle Monuments Commission and the
Fire Arts Commission.
According to John Thomas Taylor,
vice chairman of the national legisla-
tive committee in this CITY President
Hoover has examined and approved the
set-up of the bill just introduced in the
House by Chairman Williamson of the
Rouse committee on expenditures in the
executive departments, to create a new
agency to be known as the Administra-
ton of Veterans Affairs, to take over
and consolidate all activities of the Vet
Grams Bureau, the Pension Once and the
Soldiers. This is the third veterans
consolidation bill which Chairman VII
Hanson has introduced at the present
session and it is his present bill that has
met with the approval of President
Hoover. It also has the approval Of his
committee, which instructed him to pre-
pare it.
Under this new measure. the Presi-
cent would have full authority to re-
organize and consolidate the depart
mentS affected. Previous measures
provided that Congress authorize trans
1erS and consultations. The console
dated veterans agencies, under the new
plan, would have for their head an
administrator to be known as "the
administrator of veterans affairs" who
shall be appointed by the President and
receive $4,000 a year.
All laws relating to the various vet
Grams agencies will remain in full force
and effect after the proposed consolida-
ton and all final decisions or orders of
any different bureau or board in the
administration of veterans affairs will
De subject to review on appeal by the
administrator. Representative William
son, IN introducing the bill, has stated
InaC the main purpose lying behind
the proposed consolidation is to afford
foundation upon which can be erected
new structure OF legislation which
VIII tend to equalize and remove dis
examinations with respect to benefits
now received by the veterans of the
various wars.
Watson B. Miller, chairman of the
national rehabilitation committee. Che
american Legion, in a special bulletin
Just issued, calls attention to the fact
that April 6 will be the last day for
S ninng claims and evidence to show
service connection for a disability other
IMAM nervous and mental disease spinal
meningitis, an active tuberculosis dis
ease, paralysis or dysentery, unless there
= an Official record of the injury during
service or at the time of separation
from active service. These limitations.
ne says, are covered by sections in the
word War Veterans act. Chairman
Miller states that If claim has al
ready been fled and further evidence
Is required the same should be submitted
April g..
The ninth anniversary of the orRani-
zation OF Henry c. Spengler Auxiliary,
No. IL, the American Legion. will be
celebrated next Wednesday night with
an entertainment and birthday party
at the Thomas Circle Club, 1926 Mas
SacnusettS avenue, at O'Clock. The
program OF the evening will be featured
with violin selections by Miss Mar
guerite Harbers and solos by Miss Hazel
Priest.
Costello Post, No. is, held its last reg
ular meeting in the board room of the
District Building. The post adopted a
resolution that the District of Columbia
Department Of the American Legion in
stitute and establish a permanent pro-
gram of visitation to the local service
hospitals at regular intervals. Mai
Henry @. Pratt, superintendent of the
Metropolitan Police Department. was