Evening star., 1932-09-16
BATTLE FOR BONUS
LEG|0N'S WAR CRY
Prohibition Repeal Also De-
inanded as Session AdjournS.
Johnson New Head.
BY the Associated Press.

= the Associated FTcSS
PORTLAND, Oreg., September l6.-
Immediate payment Of the bonus and
prohibition repeal were overwhelmingly
demanded by the American Legion In
its Fourteenth Annual National Con-
vention.
The 1900 delegates voted 10 to l for
full adjustment of the bonus, less than
"a hours after President Hoover declared
the $4,000, ,o0o, 900 bonus bill would jee-
pardize economic recovery. Prohibition
repeal was asked by similar vote.
Before adjournment yesterday, the
convention elected Louis A. Johnson.
Clarksburg, w. Va, attorney, to succeed
Henry L. Stevens, jr., Of North Caro-
lima, as national commander. Next
years convention will be In Chicago.
War Department Censured.
The War Department was censured
because envelopes franked by the de-
partment, containing statements printed
on department stationery and written
by Secretary Patrick J. Hurley on the
bonus marchers, were placed on dele
gates chairs.
Secretary Hurley who was greeted
on the opening day with mingled cheers
and booS, from Huron. S. OAK, ex-
pressed surprise at the distribution. He
had gone from Portland to Huron to
fill speaking engagement. He said he
had not authorized use Of the frank.
The envelopes were not postmarked.
Early in the final session Legionnaires
showed their desire to vote on the bonus
and prohibition, listening impatiently
and frequently interrupting opponents
of immediate bonus payment. The vote
was 1.167 to 100.
Hines Warning Ignored.
Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines, veterans
administrator had warned the conven-
ton at previous session to take into
consideration the ability of the coun-
try to pay
When prohibition was reached, repeal
was asked Liza to 1873.
the Legion goes into its new year
pledged to support a larger Army and
Navy, believing America will never
seek a war and war will never seek
a prepared America; vigorously op-
posed to recognition of Soviet Russia;
opposed to the Griffin bill. which would
permit naturalization of aliens without
taking an oath of willingness to bear
arms in defense of the United States.
A resolution which the Pennsylvania
delegation had hoped to present to the
convention, calling for censure OF Presl-
dent Hoover because troops were used
in evicting the bonus marchers from
Washington, D. c., was killed in COM
mittee the night before the convention
closed, dying for want of second. NO
attempt was made to have the question
taken to the floor. although the Penn
sylvania group had declared such action
would be taken.
Aides for johnson.
johnson, the new commander, will be
assisted by vice commanders from the
five diStriCts-CharleS A. Mills OF Florida,
John Maloney of Maine, w. H. Easter
wood Of Texas, Robert Flory OF Ne
braska and Russell Meadows OF Arizona.
Rev. Irving Wood of Pocatelo, Ioaho,
was chosen as national chaplain.
Since majority of the Executive
COMMITTEE of the Legion was not pres
.ent. appointment of the national adJu-
tant, national treasurer. judge advocate
and historian was postponed. The pres
ent officers will serve until November.
James F. Barton, national adJutant for
the past seven years, has resigned to
become general manager Of the Ameri-
can Legion Publishing Co. ! I.
Representative Wright Patman OF
Texas, author of soldier legislation and
q delegate, opened the debate in favor
of the bonus payment. He said the
bonus will promote the welfare Of this
country" and expressed the belief the
American people will be grateful to you
II you go on record for payment now"
Speaker Is Heckled.
The heckling started when the next
speaker. Sam Reynolds Of the Nebraska
delegation, was called to present the
All the Nation is awaiting the ac-
ton of this convention Reynolds
said. 'All the people know we are
under fire. Unless we stop that storm
which Is growing We will see the day
when men will run for Office on the
boast of stop the veterans"
Two former national commanders,
Henry D. Lindsey of Texas, and Edward
A. Spafford of New York, speaking
against immediate payment, Jared no
better than did Reynolds. Shouts Of
Throw him out!" came from one Sec
ton of the hall when Lindsay! was
speaking. Cries of disapproval greeted
Spafford's remark that immediate pay
ment would wreck the financial struc-
ture Of the country" which was the at
titude expressed by President hoover
in a statement at Washington late yes
terday.
States Vote on Bonus.
On the bonus question the Connecti-
cut, Hawaii, Nebraska and South Caro-
li1ia delegations voted solfdly in oppo-
sition, while the following States split
as indicated: Delaware, yes, no;
Florida, yes, no; Illinois. 70 yes, !
no; Missouri, yes, "a no: New York,
80 yes. no. Vermont, yes, no; and
Wyoming, 9 yes, no. All other States
voted for the bonus.
Hardly had echoes of the bonus vote
died out when the convention was
stirred to new excitement by the COM
mittee report recommending passage Of
q resolution for repeal of the eight
eenth amendment. Iowa called for q
roll call. The first votes of aye brought
shouts Of approval, but the enthusiasm
died down when it became apparent
there would be few negative votes.
Virginia, the home of Thomas JET
ferson and Bishop Cannon votes 10
yes" shouted the Virginia State COM
inander when his State was reached.
Opposed to Resolution.
States voting against the prohibition
resolution or dividing were: Arkansas,
18 yes, l no; Idaho, 8 yes, 2 no; In
diana. Is yes, Is no; Iowa, 3 yes, ~