The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-06

~A'N'Sto AACAP VopcNAoilg 10
farmers.
ing veterans receiving payments for
disabilities having nothing to do
with the war"
The telegram said, in full:
Legion Lobby Hit
Study of veterans federal legis-
lation and veterans administration
figures discloses ruinous cost ap-
preaching billions of dollars an
nualy, rapidly mounting to annual
cost of two to three billions and
estimate ultimate total of one hum
dred billions for World war vet
Grams.
Existing statutes have been pro-
NOTED by American Legion through
paid Washington lobby and high
pressure propaganda.
Facts show that statutes spon-
Sored by American Legion discrim-
mate against the widows and other
dependents of veterans killed in
war service, and favor living veter-
ans receiving payments for disa-
bilities having nothing to do with
the war. Is this because dead vet
Grams cast no votes2
Six hundred eighty thousand
World war veterans now drawing
government bounties, free hospital
ization, medical. surgical and nurs-
ing service. Present statutes give
these benefits to any veteran tenn
porarily disabled through accident
or malady of any kind subsequent
to and having no relation whatever
to war service, who are, in fact,
able bodied
Civil Service Menaced
Approximately IS per cent Of
available beds in veterans hospitals
are occupied by men with disabin-
ties incurred in civil life.
Legislation granting automatic
preference to veterans is wrecking
merit principles of civil service by
accepting and advancing incompe-
tents.
While approving yesterdays state
ment against immediate payment of
bonuses, we urge strong and con-
tinuous opposition by the legion to
any advancement of the payment
date.
I'VE call on legion executives to
cease agitation for pensions or any
further treasury raiding legislation
for veterans. We favor more gen.
erous payments to dependents OF
those killed in war service and
equalization of benefits to bona flde
war disabled veterans.
Wants Act Repealed
I'VE ask the legion to about face
and support repeal of present act
which entities all veterans to free
hospital service and allowance fox
disabilities not connected with the
war, already costing seventy-fivs
millions annually
I'VE demand discontinuance of
Washington lobby and all attempts
to coerce congress to vote additional
billions and special privileges which
thereby will degrade patriotism Of
war service, imperil government
finances, gouge taxpayers, and
make the word veteran synonymous
with panhandler and CRATER.
The telegram, sent to National
Commander Stevens at Indian
apoiis, was signed by Hugh Cal
laher, commander of Willard
Straight post, No. s42, American
Legion, and by H. M. Darling, adju-
tant Of the post.
II is believed here that other posts
will signify their intention of Join
ing the Willard Straight group in
demanding reversal of the legion's
past position.
May Be Disciplined
A second possible result will 10 an
attempt Of the national organjza-
ton to discipline the Willard
Straight post for its conduct. This
even may take the form of election
from the national body. ANY such
attempt Will, however, be fought by
the New York legionnaires.
Among the active members of the
Willard Straight post are Ernest
Angel, attorney: c. Leroy Bald
ridge, staff artist for the Stars and
Stripes, the A. E. F. newspaper:
DR.. George Baehr. director of medi-
cal service, Mt. Sinai hospital; z.
P. Brooks, wearer Of D. S. c.: DR..
Raymond L. Buell. of the FOREIGN
Policy Association; Ernest Grue-
ming, newspaper publisher: Profess
sor Carlton j. H. Hayes Of CoIum-
nia university; Thayer Hobson.
president Of William Morrow 81 Co.
publishers: Theodore Kenyon.
wearer of the D. S. c.; Oswold ".
Knauth. executive vice-president of
r. H. Macy and wearer of the D.
S. c.; Walter Lippman, Charles Z.
Merz; DR.. Rustin Mcintosh. wearer
OF the chroix de guerre; Chauncey
Waddell, son-in-law Of Chief jus
tice Hughes; former United States
Attorney Kenneth r. Simpson: Sid
ney Howard. playwright. and James
L Rorty, writer, wcaxer Of the D.