The Bismarck tribune., 1931-07-13
Drums Rumble as
American Legion
Convention Opens

Continued from page one,
tive committee be kept intact and
that an effort be made to add to this
sum.
He urged that the money be with
drawn only in cases Of dire need
"As the Legion becomes older." he
added, the income will gradually be-
come less. II the Legion is to func-
ton properly 20 or 30 years from now,
it is absolutely imperative that steps
be taken Immediately to build up a
surplus"
Wants Legion Newspaper
Kamplin asked the Legionnaires 70
consider establishing a Legion news
paper devoted strictly to activities OF
the organization and its Auxiliary.
He believed that 5000 subscribers
could be obtained at 81 year, but
that subscription should not be COM
pulsory.
Jack williams. Fargo, department
adjutant, reported that 131 posts
qualified for citations awarded by de-
partment headquarters for filling
membership quotas assigned to them.
While the national headquarters as
signed to the North Dakota depart
ment quota of 8,340. Williams said.
the state organization has paid-up
membership Of 10.250.
Attention was called to legislation
enacted by the recent state legis-
lature affecting World War veterans.
AT the opening of the North Da-
kota legislative session. the agitation
for the immediate payment of the
adjusted compensation certificates
was at its height in our national ca
pital at Washington" he said. The
American Legion national legislative
committee called upon each depart
ment for its assistance. A joint re-
solution was passed by our North Da-
kota legislature memorializing con-
gress to pass immediate legislation
providing for the full payment Of
these certificates.
THE office Of veterans service
commissioner was continued and an
appropriation of $4,000 was provided
Passed Guardianship Law
"An uniform guardianship law was
passed which will eliminate much of
the red tape in the appointment Of
guardians for incompetent ex-service
men.
"A law was passed providing for
the immediate payment of some 200
North Dakota bonus claims which
had accumulated since the previous
session Of the legislature; also CIV
ing the adjutant general authority to
pay any other bona-fide claims which
may be presented and proved.
IAN appropriation Of $1,000 was
secured for the purpose Of paying the
transportation Of the North Dakota
department American Legion band to
the coming national convention at
Detroit and to the 1882 national con-
vention."
Under the law enacted by congress
to provide for so per cent loans on
adjusted service certificates. North
Dakota veterans have been loaned
$2.250, 900. he said.
/ "A survey as to the use to which
this money was put reveals that the
greater part OF 1t was used to pur-
chase seed. as living expenses by un-
employed veterans, to pay up old
debts, payments on homes, furniture
etc.
II know whereof I speak when
say that very little Of it was squan-
dered. In our office we are in a
position to know how many veteran.
are out Of employment and we could
see how greatly in need Of financial
assistance they were and just what
q help to them this legislation was
Community work sponsored b.
posts in the state, Williams said, in.
cluded school awards. ice Kinks, roller
skating rirks, swimming pools ane
bath houses, bathing beaches, play.
ground equipment for parks, gymnas.
ium equipment for schools, building
parks, building and sponsoring gol
courses, up-keep Of cemeteries, spon.
soring home and garden contests
juvenile bands, school play days. cit!
athletic fields, snow slides and SIX
/ slides.
Posts Have Susplas
i One hundred posts, replying {,
questonuatres regarding communit,
Service eif1bmttkAA Asffyoatna ~ fhl