The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-18
(From The Veterans Advocatc)

(ffOnn lnC tctcfdu hutOCutcJ It requires no urge from leading veterans such as General Harbord and other to visualize the growing sense of politics among veterans, | who, with the maturity of years. 1 like their forebears of the G. A.
 R., are rapidly developing the poli- tical complex. Like the rumblings of distant thunder which warn oe | the impending storm, like the bud on the rosebush which will surely
 blossom out in splendor, so also is 1 the time at hand when veterans
 will demand fair share in govern l ment, whose structure and life they
 upheld in combat. and whose pres i tige and honor they are prepared | to hold and advance regardless of cost or sacrifice. Sensible, fair | minded veterans will not assume to ask more than a fair share of rep
 rensentation in our legistive coun-
 cils, and it is quite apropos that they will not as yet seek for the 1 highest office; however, they can
 be pardoned if they advance the l interest of one of their own for
 the vice presidency.
 While this periodical is non-
 partisan in politics, it is decidedly
 partisan towards obtaining merited
 recognition for sincere, true friends of the veteran as well as the Vetcr-
 an himself if he possesses requisite
 ability, stamina and grit along the channels of good government, in
 merging the interest of the citi-
 zen with the inherent rights of the veteran. It is known that some
 politicians will promise the eartl, 1 to a veteran for the sake of votes,
 which is as repugnant to the in- l terest of the veteran as 1t is gov | ernment and the taxpayers. The l ineaualities and injustices which veterans today suffer are due more | or less to weakkneed politicians
 who would obligate every penny | of our national treasury If an or
 ganized minority of veterans re- | quested it. Congressman John E | Rankin, whose cause we advance l for the democratic vice presiden nomination, cannot be stampeded into voting funds for veteran raids which lack merit, but he can and
 is always found in the front lines | espousing the cause of the needy
 veteran and his dependents. That l his service is nationally recognized
 by all veterans and our worthy 1 citizens is established dogma among those who are conversan nj 1 with veteran measures in congress ! He is fearless for the right of the {, citizen as he is insistent on fair ] dealing to the disabled veteran
 and his dependents.
 | The veterans who received 5C
 per cent of their adjusted service | certificates from the last congress
 cannot forget how sincerely and 1 courageously Congressman Rankin i assisted by some exceptionally fair
 minded colleagues, succceeeded in | this enactment, even over tho
 presidents veto. Congressman | Rankin's defense of the enlisted
 man in the tumultuous fight in congress, which put the obnoxious
 Emergency Officers retirement law
 on the statute books in 1928 over 1 President Coolidge's veto. stamps him for all time as the friend of
 the square deal, and opposed to special privilege to any class, even though they be officers of the 1 Emergency forces.
 Our unemployed and disabled | comrades and their families can
 not and will never forget the man | who rescued them from dispair ! and poverty as he brought to them 50 per cent of their adjusted ser vice certificates. If the democratic
 party possesses the psychology of | even their traditional Mule" and
 wish to disperse the line of repub-
 licans who will assemble for com 1 bat in Chicago next June, they will
 weigh one of his hoofs down with | the stamp of Rankin. Veterans and their dependents i can be counted on to support Ran
 kin and his ticket if he has as col ! league any of the outstanding non | veterans who have heretofore been
 mentioned.
 Liberal Minded Progressive Leader Citizens of every type who are
 American in mind and principle
 undoubtedly approve of the vigor- ous and outstanding leadership Congressman Rankin has displayed
 or our essential public questions, Congressman Rankin Is not the yes
 man type of leader. He follows in others footsteps only as long
 as the route is traversable in the best interest of our citizens and
 our national welfare. He has the
 courage to espouse independence
 for the people of the Philippines
 which has beenso consistently ad-
 vanced by every president for
 years. but which has been as scru- pulously avoided in the maneuver- ing of astute politicians. The self
 determination of peoples so body acclaimed in the pre-Versailles Gss- patches has evaporated into the
 will of the wisp. and, today we