Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-02

Members Of the American Legion win
the applause of the country by their
favorable response to the plea of Presi-
dent Hoover that proposed legislation
for bonus payment be 1ajected. Their
acceptance of the contention that the
Treasury Of the United States should
be relieved of further burdens is called
an example of patriotism which should
have influence with other Americans.
The Legion's remuneration of the
cash bonus claim was high minded,
patriotic. and worthy of emulation by
citizens in all walks of life" says the
Chattanooga News. while the Cincin-
natl Times-Star observing that some
politicians have been doing their best
to drag the Legion into the mud OF
short-sighted self1shness," holds that it
took it's own stand on the heights
where all right-minded Americans want
Times Union advises that no politician
can Justify further bonus legislation on
the ground that it has the support OF
the American Legion" for that body
has spoken decisively."
The broad-minded and patriotic
stand is deservedly held up as an ex-
ample that all organizations which are
being urged to back requests for Fed
eral appropriations ought to follow at
Evening Bulletin, while the Charleston
IS. c. Evening Post comments: There
is nothing to be gained on specializing
as to what may happen If the cash
bonus should be seriously urged upon
Congress. The Legion has taken the
correct stand on the matter, made
handsome response to the appeal OF
President Hoover for support OF Gov
eminent economy and has called upon
every able-bodied veteran to refrain
from being an unnecessary burden
upon National, State or municipal gov
ernments' That is the right spirit, and
its assertion by the Legion should prove
Agree with Mr.. Hoover or not in his
stand" declares the Pasadena Star
News, lone must admire his fearlessness
in this. The great American LegioA
convention keenly sensed this courage
in Mr.. Hoover, and the Legionnaires
chivalrously gave Mr.. Hoover . ire
mendous ovation, both before and after
his speech" Pointing out that 'the
Legion right along-to its credit-has
insisted that the plea for the redemp-
ton of the certificates was not Its
baby" the Providence Bulletin voices
the tribute that 1.-The vote on the bonus
was a magnificent victory for President
Hoover and the common sense OF the
Nation"
1.-THE country should respond com
pletely," maintains the Fort Worth Star
Telegram, "to the Presidents warnings
against added Treasury burdens when
it is struggling with an already badly
unbalanced budget" That paper also
emphasized the point: Mr.. Hoover's
closing appeal in his Detroit address
goes to every hopeful American heart.
This is an emergency he said. and
these are the times for service to which
we must put full heart and purpose to
help, and not retard the return of the
happy days We know are ahead Of your
country and mine" The TeXarkana
Gazette finds general application OF
the address to requests for appropri-
atoms and remarks that President
Hoover evidently is assuming the post
of watch dog of the Treasury and IS
taking steps to head OH in advance q
lot of the requests scheduled to come
before the next session Of Congress"
The Gazette adds that "this is a good
State, county and municipality"
''Once again." observes the Omaha
World Herald, "the more conservative
forces in the Legion have gained con-
troll. Aided In large measure by the
courageous action of President Hoover
in appearing before the convention to
warn the members against new Treas
ury demands, the vote was decisive,
902 to 507. In so far as the Legion
can speak for the service men-and no
other veterans group has nearly so
many members-it now sets its face
against further gratuitieS for able
bodied men. 1t is an important victory
for those who have sought to stem
the tide of Treasury raiding' In a
day in which the administration and
big business alike are too readily
alarmed and made panicky it will re-
assure and hearten both. It is victory
for the self-respect Of the service men
themselves. 1t Is victory for Mr..
| Hoover, and. suggests that II he would
more often and vigorously display q
fighting spirit. he might win more
victories"