Evening star., 1932-09-11
LEGION GATHERING
ON WEST COAST
I4th Annual Convention to
(. Be Opened in Portland
+ Tomorrow.
BY the Associated Press.


PORTLAND, Greg, September 10
Action placing the American Legion
on record in favor of immediate cash
payment of the soldiers bonus was
indicated tonight as delegates gathered
for the fourteenth national convention
opening Monday.
Instructions given by State conven-
tions, which, with few exceptions, have
demanded cash payment at recent ses-
wsions, seemed to assure a reversal Of
the national organizations attitude Of
last year, when the bonus proposition
was rejected after the Legionnaires
listened to an appeal from President
Hoover and others at Detroit.
Sentiment among the rank and file
for cash payment of the adjusted serv-
ice certificates has grown steadily since
a year ago, as evidenced at the de-
partment conventions, many OF them
held since the eviction of the Bonus
Expeditionary Force from the National
Capital.
A floor fight on the bonus question
Is in prospect, however. as the veterans
are far from unanimity.
Hurley Challenged.
Morris Bealle, Chicago, one of the
candidates for national commander to
succeed Henry L. Stevens has issued
q challenge to Secretary of War
Patrick j. Hurley to bonus debate on
the convention floor Hurley is eX-
pected to arrive by airplane tomorrow.
Discussion of the prohibition ques-
ton is growing and 1t seemed possible
that a resolution asking immediate re-
peal of the eighteenth amendment will
90 before the convention. The Legion
already is on record in favor of
referendum.
The bonus payment, resistance to at
tempts to reduce appropriations for
veterans, unemployment, rehabilitation
and the campaign to fight foes and
critics" of the Legion are regarded as
the most important matters for con-
sideration.
John Thomas Taylor, vice chairman
of the Legion's National Executive Com
mittee, said the outstanding problem
was Illustration of any attempt to abro-
gate veterans benefits now existing.
1.-The American Legion" Taylor de-
clared, will vigorously oppose any at
tempt to take away from the World
War veterans, through the repeal of
existing laws, any of the benefits they
now receive and to which they are
Justly entitled"
The comment was made in connec-
ton with the announced campaign Of
the National Economy League to elm
mate $3.50, 1000, 900 in benefits to disabled
veterans.
Stevens Assails Critics.
Corndr. Stevens, who will call the
convention to order at $3.50 m. Monday,
insists that the Legion purge its ranks
Of unfair opponents and critics"
whom he charges with attempting to
discredit and destroy the organization
from within, at the same time striking
with no less vigor at 'those who malign
the order and its membership from
without"
Child welfare, a subject closely ideni-
fed with Legion and auxiliary activities,
will be dealth with In a conference
tomorrow.
Every precaution and recommended
ton to keep the gathering on the
highest plane has been taken by national
officers. all of whom have repeatedly
emphasized in press conferences that
they ARE tired and the Legion Is tired
of being held up as crowd OF
rowdies."
Comdr. Stevens has invited promi-
nent clergymen to attend all the sessions,
business and social, that they might OBJ
serve the American Legion In peace-time
action.
Military police will assist Portland city
officers and oregon State troopers In
preserving order.
Nearly 100 bands and drum corps and
thousands of marching men will parade
Portland's downtown streets Tuesday,
the big parade" day Of Legion conven-
tions. No business session will be held
that day.
Father Of Legion" Arrives.
Registration headquarters were taxed
70 the limit today to keep pace with the
stream of veterans pouring into the
city.
Gen. Milton ]. Foreman, the father
of the Legicn," arrived with Ralph I:
ONeil Of Topeka, Kans, past national
commander. O'Neil will be honorary
grand marshal of the big parade Tues
day.
Ernest A. Ryan Of Topeka is one of
the Legionnaires most prominently men
toned for national adjutant TO succeed
James F. Barton.
Raymond ]. Kelley of Detroit and
Richard Paul of Canton, Mass, two OF
the candidates for national commander,
were among those arriving today. Paul
is national vice commander.
Mrs Lowell Fletcher Hobart OF Mil
ford, Ohio, the only woman ever to head
both the Legion Auxiliary and the D. A.
r.. was greeted at the Union Station:
With her were Mrs, o. D. Oliphant OF
Trenton, N. J.. past president OF the
auxiliary, and Mrs. c. F. Snever OF Fort
Atkinson, Wis, national vice president
of the central division.