Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20
BONUS FIGHT seen
BACK OF HOOvER'S
ADDRESS TOLEGION
Tremendous Importance
Given Presidents Decision
to Visit Convention.
OTHER ISSUES APPEAR
ON VETERANS PROGRAM
Executive to Leave on Special
Train En- Route to Michigan
City Today.

BY the Associated Press.
In the face of rapidly-growing de-
mands for cash redemption Of the
soldiers bonus, President Hoover sue
denly decided yesterday to address the
American Legioi's annual convention
tomorrow at Detroit.
The Presidents unexpected decision.
regarded In official circles as Of
tremendous importance, was announced
by Theodore Joslin, one OF his sec
retaries, as arrangements were being
made for the Presidents usual week
end trip to the Rapidan camp.
Although no announcement was made
Of the Presidents proposed topic, his
sudden reversal Of plans was inter-
preted here as a last-minute decision
to throw the administrators full weight
against demands for cash payment OF
the World War adjusted service
certificates. 1855
Faces Many Issues.
His address will be made in an at
mosphere Surcharged with controversial
issues, including In addition to the
bonus, prohibition, unemployment relief
and national defense.
Many State delegates are going to
the convention directed to stand for
cash redemption Of the bonus cer-
tificates and some have been instructed
to urge repeal or modification Of pro-
hibition. These and other issues will
come to focal point at the meeting.
The President had hesitated to accept
invitations to attend the convention be-
cause of the press Of business. He had
refused to make up his mind, even as
recently as last Monday. despite the
encouragement of Legion officials and
memsers of his official family.
Mr.. Hoover left the White House
shortly after 2 O'Clock yesterday after
noon for his Rapidan camp. He will
leave the Virginia retreat this evening
and meet a special train out Of Wash
ingtou somewhere nearby.
He viii write his speech on the train
going to Detroit. After delivering his
address to the convention he viii leave
the Michigan city tomorrow afternoon
to be back In the White House Tuesday
morning.
Members Of Party.
Mrs. Hoover will not make the trip.
According to present plans the President
win be accompanied by Joslin and Law
renee Richey, another secretary; Capt
Russell Train, naval aide; Col. Campbell
Hodges. military aide. and Capt. Joel
7. Boone, White House physician.
There have been evidence recently of
a growing apprehension in administra-
ton circles over the rising tide of CASH
bonus sentiment among ex-serviee men
and in Congress.
Administrator Hines Of veterans af-
fairs and other administration spokes-
men have been urging the veterans to
go slow on demands for more money.
Hines, addressing the Veterans Of
Foreign Wars in Kansas City three
weeks ago, said the Governments out
lay for benefits to former service men
amounted to about 100000, 900 an
nuaIly and called upon veterans to
study costs before asking Congress fol-
further relief
Congress at the last session passed a
bill over President Hoover's veto
authorizing loans up to SO per cent OF
the face value Of the adjusted service
or bonus certificates. Loans numbering
2,128,097 and amounting to S8Ie. 9S2, $50
had been made by the Veterans Bureau
up to August / under this law.
Deficit Has Increased.
Since Congress passed that law, the
Treasury has rolled up a tremendous
deficit. At the close Of the last fiscal
year, June 80, it was nearly 81, ZOO ,000,-
600. Most Of this was wiped out by
issuance Of bonds and an increase in
the public debt, but on September II
the deficit was about $3.50, 900, OF
three times that on the same date last
year.
The deficit resulted in agitation for
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