Evening star., 1932-10-02
BONUS FOES FACE
FIGHT IN LEGION
Chattanooga Group Formed
to Oppose Payment
Until 1912.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, October l.
One hundred veterans of various wars,
most of them members of the Chat
tanooga posts of the American Legion,
met here this week and formed the
preliminary organization of the Amer
lean veterans" for the purpose, accord
ing to their statement of principles, of
protesting against the cash payment of
The bonus until due, TO battle against
Communism and to oppose further
bonus marches to Washington.
The immediate cause of the move
ment was the announced intention of
Communist backed eX-service mems
organization in Chattanooga to organ
ize bonus march to Washington as
soon as Congress meets in December.
Chattanooga contributed large num-
Der Of men to the former bonus army,
though they denied Communist asso-
Citations The new march. however, is
being fomented by widely advertised
Communist group with a public office
on the ground floor Of building on
downtown street.
Leading Citizens Join.
The new organization was sponsored
by Col. Gordon Johnston, commander
of the 9Th Cavalry, now encamped
at Fort Oglethorpe, near here, but drew
into its ranks many of Chattanooga's
original American Legion organizers
and its most able leaders during the
dozen years the Legion has been ac-
tive here.
The list includes Dr. Alex Guerry,
president of the University of Chatta-
nooga, who served overseas; past Le-
gion Comdrs Ray Seagle, Raleigh
Crumbliss and Maj. Phil Whiraker;
George Fort Milton, publisher of the
Chattanooga News; Adolph Shelby
Ochs, general manager of the Chatta-
tanoogas most active philanthropist
and charities leader; 10 Conn Guild.
general manager of the Tennessee
Electric Power Co; Col. r. H. Kimball,
capitalist, recently retired from the
Regular Army; John B. Steele, chief
physician for the Volunteer State Life
Insurance Co., and S. L. Probasco,
president Of the American Trust g.
Banking Co.
The anti-bonus group. hopelessly out
voted in the local posts, recently took
their fight to the State convention and
their spokesman, Carter Lynch head of
the local National Guard unit, was
hooted down. He is among the charter
members of the American Veterans.
Whether the organizers of the veterans
will continue their memberships in the
Legion post has not been determined
but number of posts in smaller cities
near Chattanooga have announced that
any of their members who enlist with
the new group will be dismissed.
Appeal to Patriotism.
On the bonus issue the American
Veterans believe that those who have
shown their loyalty in time of war by
placing themselves unreSerVedly at the
disposition Of the Government should
show an equal loyalty in time of peace
and devote themselves faithfully to the
preservation of those things for which
they fought" Cash payment of the
bonus at this time, they say would be
class discrimination in favor of one
group, some of whom are in need to
the neglect of others equally in need.
They praise the patriotic service and
principles Of loyalty contained in the
record of the American Legion, but are
definitely opposed to the organized ac-
ton Of veterans In seeking improper
financial aid from the Government,
such as the cash payment of the bonus
before it is due and costly benefits to
veterans who suffered no disability by
reason of their service
A diversion in the conferences pre-
ceding the organization was provided by
Sam E. Whitaker, attorney, present
commander of the largest local Legion
post. Mr.. Whitaker refused to join the
new movement SO long as he Is COM
mander of the Legion, but expressed
sympathy with its aims. He said In a
public statement that he served his
country in the World War for patriotic
purposes, without thought of financial
reward; that the Legion agreed to &C
cept cash payment of the bonus IN 1912
and in demanding payment now Is Vlo-
lating its contract with the Govern
ment. and that to demand it during
the present economic stress IS still fur
ther fraught with danger to the Gov
ernment. Mr. Whitaker wished to hight
the battle out inside the Legion, but
the rank and file Overwhelmingly out
numbered the anti-bonus group.
The American Veterans seek TO pc
come a Natien- wide organization and
a number of representatives OF groups
in the East and Southeast we're present
at this weeks meeting. 1t Is consld-
cred certain here that the bitter feellng
of the bonus advocates will make 1t I'M
practicable for members OF the Amerl-
can Veterans to maintain their men,
bership in the Legion.
Copyright. 1922