Evening star., 1932-09-14
ACTION ON B. E.E.
BY LEGION WAITS
War Debts Cancellation and
World Court Are Hit in
Resolutions.
Continued From First Page

ed to have the largest block of pledged
votes Of any of the dozen or more can
didates or Commander of the National
American Legion.
While many of the State delegations
did not voice their views with others
pledged to native sons, Malone was ac
corded at least 200 of the 1,289 votes
of the convention. The New York dele
cation. carrying the largest single vote
on the unit rule. will give him 81.
Departure yesterday OF Secretery
OF War Patrick J. Hurley. who reached
Portland Sunday night, closed three
day period in which the Chief Of the
Army was alternately booed and ap-
plauded as he appeared at various
Legion functions. In each case his ap-
pearance provoked heckling, but later
gave way to cheers as "boos" were lost
In gathering applause.
With the opening of today's session
the Legion found itself half way through
the convention. but only well started on
the accumulation of administrative bus
iness. Committees are scheduled to re-
port in this order: Finance, American
ism. Child Welfare, National Defense
Foreign Relations, Internal Organiza-
ton, Legislation, Rehabilitation. Reso-
lutions, and the time and place of the
next convention. which already has
been promised to Chicago.
Gen. Hines. who has addressed IL
annual national conventions OF the
Legion, presented a report on the work
Of the bureau this morning.
Telling his hearers that taxes rep
resent roughly 81 for each acre Of farm
land in the United States" Gen. Hines
counseled the Legion to study expen-
ditures made for veterans relief with
an open mind"
There is already tendency on the
part of some of our legislators who have
heretofore been our most loyal de-
tenders to criticize further demands as
unwarranted." Hines said. Let us con-
slider their viewpoints with an open
mind and not hastily conclude that
they are motivated by personal inter-
eSts"
Hines told Of the growth Of legisla-
ton for ex-service men since the World
War and said that the United States
was expending greater amounts for
relief than England or France. which
had larger forces in the field and a
greater number of casualties
He commented on the liberalization
of benefits to include allowances for
non-service disabilities and expressed
the hope that future requests Will be
made with due regard for the condition
of the Treasury and full consideration
Of the taxpayers"
"Our country's program for relief OF
the disabled and the dependent, he
said, already in operation. may show
imperfections and inconsistencies from
time to time. and may need improve
ment. but on the whole II should not
require major legislative action result
ing in increased expenditures"
The administrator asked the Legion
naires to bear in mind that Government
expenditures mean more TO the tax
payer this year than ever before, mot
alone because of material increase
since my last report to you, but for the
reason that the taxpayers dollar at this
time means much more than when
legislation calling for these expenditures
was placed on the statute books"
Inquiry Is Foreseen.
"The ability of the country to pay
should influence the demands fol
veterans benefits" Hines declared. He
cited salary reductions and economies
in Government operations as evidence
that lit is only reasonable TO suppose
that benefits to eX-Service men VIII
eventually become a subject of inquiry.
Veterans appropriations have grown
from $442, 100000 in 1928 to 1927 ,0o0,
900 in 1892. Hines said. He suggested
appointment of a committee by the
egion to look into (the natter ano
present recommendations designed tC
eliminate unnecessary Dement'S and in
equalities resulting from legislation az
fecting veterans Of all wars. We shoulo
insist that those who suffered injury
or disease be given necessary medica
or domiciliary care and together WIFI
those who lost sons, husbands o1
fathers on whom they were dependent
be compensated to the degree necessary
to allow them to maintain the Ameri-
can standard OF living" he said. I'VE
should work for equalization of bene-
fits to veterans of all wars. This mucf
is equitable and Just. Beyond this We
begin to be recipients of generosity.
Returned to Parity"
Hines expressed the opinion thai
current economic conditions have
served to return to veterans the parity
which they may have lost as a result
Of war service"
II believe" he said, "were it pos
sible to accurately ascertain facts, thai
the average ex-service man would bt
shown to be no worse off than he who
was gainfuIly employed during the wal
po.,od and Immediately thereafter
What he gained financially during thu
war period he has probably lost, while
you have been left an experience which
since that time has made you his
equal or superior in resourcefulness
and in economic status"
Federal prohibition officers continued
their drive against speakeasies ane
liquor stores in Portland, last nigh
raiding a place in which more thar
4,500 quarts of beer. 300 quarts OF wine
and some whisky was conflscated. Port
land, Federal operatives said, must b'
dry during the convention. They de-
clared the move to close the wet places
was undertaken entirely on their owr
initiative.
The Legion parade was staged with
out the participation of Secretary Hur.
ley, who has planned to march as g
member of the Oklahoma contingent.
Secret service men, Legion and police
officials said they persuaded Hurley II
take the reviewing stand with other dis
tinguished guests instead of marching
They said they did this to eliminate
any possibility Of any 'untoward Incl
dent" in the line of march.
Boos mingled with cheers as Hurle.
mounted the reviewing stand in Multi
nomah Stadium, scene OF the spectacle
He ignored this and gave the Oklahoma
| war whoop as the delegates from hi
home State passed.
Left for Huron, S. Oak.
Escorted by Secret Service men, al
| Army car and State and city police
Hurley was the object of all eyes as n
/ left the thronged stadium to take
plane to Huron, s. D., where he vii
speak tomorrow.
| assachussetts, California, Washing
ton, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Arizoni
won trophy cups In the parade.
Washington won the silver trophy II
the classification calling for more thai
900 members in parade.
The other first-place trophy cul
winners and their claSsifications were
| California, between 500 and 1000
4 Io nt v,oro than S00. Wisr0n