Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-09-15
BY DUNCAN 1. HASSEL, Jr.
DJ DO4NOfAN H fh1hAoo1' "f'
In the Foreign Service Magazine for
September, 1892.

In the Foreign Service Magazine for
September, 1882.
(This article is being published
in the Askov American upon re-
quest of the organization of Vet
Grams of Foreign Wars of Moose
Lake, and the Anderson-Miller
Post of the American Legion at
Willow River.)
The recent Battle of Pennsylvania
Avenue"-in which veterans of the
World War and their families were
driven from the Capital with bay
onets and gas bombs shocked the
Nation as few events have shocked it
since those stirring days of 1918,
when the Germans hurled their full
strength against the Allies, and the
three minute speakers were hailing
the doughboy as the hope of the
world
But tragic and appalling as it was,
the eviction of the so-called Bonus
Marchers" is of less Importance than
another anti-veteran offensive
launched few weeks ago in New
York City. Charging cavalry, burst
ing of bombs and the cracking of
heads lent drama to the Washington
outrage.
Less colorful, but far more amaz-
ing in view of the personages in
volved, were developments of lunch
con held in the Harvard Club at the
very time when outcasts from Wash
ington, and veterans everywhere, were
hard pressed to panhandle bread and
other essentials for their families.
Summoned to New York by Archi-
bald Roosevelt, son of the great Presi-
dent "T. r." leading industrialists,
military men and figureheads met
around we'll provisioned banquet
tables to devise ways and means of
inducing government economy in
community, state and nation"
Truly a worthy purpose, and one
deserving the whole hearted support
of every intelligent man and woman.
But when the demitasses came, and
the smoke of fine Havanas mingled
with equally vapid oratory, it devel-
oped that this embryo National
Economy League" of Mr.. Roosevelt
had but one definite objective
elimination of the compensation act
granting from $12 to $40 monthly to
veterans unable to prove that their
disabilities were service connected.
This Disability Allowance Act,
passed by Congress in 1880 as the re-
suit of ceaseless campaigning on the
part of the V. F. w., needs no de-
tense, and it is not the purpose OF
this article to discuss it, other than
to point out that its subsequent work
ings have wholly justified it in the
minds of all persons familiar with
problems of the veterans.
The act extends deserved benefits
to thousands who are now 25 per cent
or more permanently disabled as a
result of their war services, but who
could not produce proof of hospitaliza-
ton. Suffice it to say that no fairer
soldier legislation was ever put
through the Congress of the United
States.
Returning to the National Economy
Leagues organization meeting, we
find some of the most influential men
in the nation uniting to wage war to
the death on this disability act, which
Archie Roosevelt had previously
termed "a vast legalized racket,
foisted on the people, Verbal at
nj hn net
have amazed the thinking people of
the country, not because of misguided
logic, but because of the status en-
joyed by leaders of the League-men
who almost without exception are
drawing large subsidies from the
government in one form or another.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd sat as
temporary chairman at the first meet
ing of the National Economy League,
and his election as permanent chair
man is practically certainty. Ar
chic Roosevelt, originator of this lat
est organized attack on veteran APP
preparations, is secretary, and the ma
tional advisory council is headed by
former President Calvin Coolidge.
Other members of the council are Al
fred e. Smith, General John ]. Perish
ing, Elihu Root, Newton D. Baker and
Admiral William S. Sims.
When Roosevelt sent out his plea
for the nations salvation, through
the League, Admiral Byrd was poised
for his second trip to the South Pole.
His tri-motored plane was ready for
shipment from Detroit. and his vessel
was provisioned to sail from Panama
in September. But the Admiral is
not one to shun the call Of duty. He
Immediately cancelled plans for the
polar trip, explaining, II have vol