Evening star., 1932-10-22
POST ASKS REVIEW
OF VETERAN LAWS
Legionnaires Fear Resent.
ment From Attention
Focused on B. Eff.

Convinced public sentiment has been
aroused by the bonus question as re-
suit Of attention focused on the Bonus
Expeditionary Force and results fol-
lowing in its train so that there is
danger Of public resentment against
all veterans legislation, members of
Augustus P. Gardner Post. No 18, Dis
trict of Columbia Department, American
Legion, last night adopted a resolution
calling for review of all laws grant
ing consideration to veterans This is
designed, it was said, to determine
whether any of these laws are unfair,
unethical or injurious to the welfare
Of the citizens as whole.
The members voiced the opinion the
resolution passed by the American Le-
gion National Convention at Portland
recently in favor of immediate payment
OF the bonus was due more to ac-
cumulated excitement caused by the
long-continued drive for favorable vet
erans' legislation than to a careful
analysis Of the amount of benefit to
the Individual, of injury to the Legion's
standing, and of embarrassment to the
Government as a whole"
hcScntmenL hek0 Ey10cnt,
1T is evident from the press. from
public addresses and from general dis
cussions," the members stated in their
resolution, that feeling of resentment
against class legislation Is common and
that the prestige of the Legion is in
jeopardy because Of the public tendency
to hold this organization responsible for
all efforts to favor veterans, regardless
OF the source of such efforts"
Pressure from the Legion at this time
to obtain further preference, the mem
bers stated, "is practically certain to re-
suit IN failure that will lessen the
nnuence OF the Legion in pursuing 9TH
er policies and injure its opportunities
to benefit the Nation in future by sup
porting sound legislation, while the
adoption of generous attitude would
go lar toward restoring public conf
dence IN the Legion as a patriotic
society"
Inc post expressed its belief national
headquarters of the Legion should do
nothing more than to submit to Con-
gresS copies of the resolutions adopted
at the national convention without
making any effort to push them legis-
latively.
Opposes Lobbying.
Members also expressed the belief ma
tional headquarters should instruct
any organization maintained in Wash
1ngton on legislative matters to confine
itself to giving information to men,
bers of Congress when requested to do
so. and to avoid any action which might
possibly give support to the prevalent
belief the Legion maintains a paid lobby
to bring pressure on members of Con-
gress to influence legislation favoring
veterans"
In calling for the creation of a COM
mittee to study the existing laws, the
post declared such a review of laws
granting consideration to veterans
should be made with a view of as
certaining if any Of these laws are
unfair, unethical. contrary to the prin-
ciples announced in the preamble to
the constitution of the American Le-
gion. injurious to the welfare of the
citizens as a whole, or embarrassing to
the Government, and If any such laws
be found to submit recommendations
for their repeal or modification"
Copies of the resolution will be sent
to national headquarters of the Legion
and to each department headquarters
and post, with a request that it be "se-
riously considered and that all head
quarters, posts, and individual members
who subscribe to its principles earnestly
exert themselves to impress their fellow
Legionnaires with their sincere desire
to see these principles adopted"