The Washington times., 1931-09-21
Cheers Greet Hoover
Appeals That Bonus
MOUes Be Dropped

ApPeOLS 4 HUL DOHIIo
MOUes Be Dropped
r. OLYMPIA ARENA, Detroit,
Sept. 81 G.N.SD The colorful
thirteenth annual convention OF
the American Legion received
President Hoover's appeal today
to enlist in a war against world
depression with cheers, applause,
and an after cry for beer.
The President was wildly ap-
plauded when he appeared be-
fore the crowd of $4,000 legion
naires and their friends.
Gets Big Hand
He was frequently applauded
as he warned against excessive
expenditures and asked the
legionnaires to enlist in a war
to bring back business stability
and prosperity" He also was
cheered as he concluded.
The cry for beer came from
the galleries just as he was about
to depart for the special train to
return to Washington.
Some wag high in the gallery
above the speakers stand began
the cry with a shout, We want
beer"
In a second a dozen took up
the cry and, in a minute, it was
being shouted about the conven-
ton hall.
Before the demand could reach
greater proportions, the President
had left the platform. His visit
lasted but 18 minutes.
T. r. Wildly Received
Two other men were given
greater Ovations than that &C.
corded the President. First, New
ton d. Baker, wartime Secretary
of War, was cheered to the echo
and, after the President had de-
parted, Theodore Roosevelt, now
governor of Porto Rico, was given
an ovation.
Teddy was not supposed to
speak, being among the celebrities
National Commander Ralph T.
O'Neil was introducing to the
convention, but the veterans
cheered him so long and so
loud he spoke briefly.
Four major subjects-prohibi
ton, unemployment relief, and
national defense. aside from the
bonus queStion-agitated the
veterans as legion officials sought
to allay all opposition to policies
Of the Hoover administration.
Bonus Issue Settled
1t was reported the President
had been assured the convention
would not ask for full cash pay
ment of the bonus before he de-
cided to be its guest. The prOhibi-
tion issue, though, was full Of
dynamite and every indication
pointed to a "finish fight" on
the floor of the convention.
The bonus issue was settled,
one high legion official told Inter
national News Service, by an
agreement among convention
leaders to accept a redrafted
''KanSas resolution" declaring
against immediate cash payments.
This resolution, adopted by the
home department of National
Comdr. Ralph T. O'Neil. would
put the legion on record as de-
claring the bonus should have
been paid in full when first
enacted, but that after all, the
legion's first duty is to the Gov
ernment.
It would declare that, because
the Treasury is depleted and the
Administration faces an even
greater deficit next year, the
war.born organization of war
heroes will not ask for full cash
payments at this time.
Approved by Hoover
A redrafted copy of this ~reso-
. luton, according to the report,
was relayed to Washington and
approved by Mr. Hoover while
legion officials assured him it
would be adopted. Then. the
report stated, the President de-
cided to address the convention.
"A uuIuOCI OI legion OL1ICldlS
denied there was any such under
standing with the President, but
their denials had been predicted
by the authority who told Inter
national News Service the issue
was settled.
The reported understanding"
was perfectly logical, despite the
fact that a large number Of Le-
gionnaires have campaigned for
immediate full cash payment of
the bonus. The legion has prided
itself on its patriotism and its
service to the Government. All
its outstanding leaders oppose
cash payments.
Fight On Prohibition
There was no such under
standing" about the prohibition
issue. Every legion official in a
position to know declared there
would be a finish fight" on the
wet and dry question with the
result in doubt.