Evening star., 1933-09-26
VETERANS 0F|GHT
FOR LOST BENEFITS
Mass Meeting Hears McCar.
ron FIay Economy Act
Mcqueen Honored.

Organized veterans and their 1rlendS
in Congress plan to hur] o campaign
into the next session TO return to me
veterans many benefits Of which they
were deprived by the economy act.
This became apparent last night at
o mass meeting at the Interior Depart
ment auditorium, where spokesmen
from the three major veterans organ
izations, and Senator Pat McCarron OF
Nevada laid down a barrage Of criti-
cism against present conditions and
demanded relief.
The occasion was q mass meeting
called by the Disabled American Vet
Grams in honor of their new national
commander, Joe w. Mcqueen OF Kansas
City, who had been guest at dinner
earlier in the evening, and climaxed
his day in Washington with a radio
address over the National Broadcast
ing System.
"Injustices" perpetrated upon veter-
ans by the economy act were deplored,
the National Economy League was
scored by several speakers, including
Senator McCarron, and support was
veterans with service-connected dis
abilities.
Next War Considered.
The Nevada Senator warned that the
Nation should take proper care OF its
disabled veterans or 1t would destroy
morale for the next war.
He proudly admitted he was one OF
the Willful IS who voted against the
economy act because 1t did an injustice
to the soldierly of America" He said
he saw that group grow to AZ during
the last days of Congress, and predicted
it would probably be much larger in
the next session. He advocated that
wealth should be conscripted as well
as human lives In the next war.
Criticizing the Economy League, the
Senator declared this organization
should have said, "Give the boys a
chance because it was these boys who
made it possible for America to accu-
mulate wealth." National defense in
volved preparation, concentration OF all
strength of the Nation In conflict, and
finally care of the war veteran, the Sen
ator said. In fighting for Justice and
fair play for veterans, he said he was
fighting for the perpetuity of my Gov
eminent"
Spirit ran high during the eve
ning's meeting. as speakers from the
D. A. ", the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
and the American Legion scored in
justices of the economy act to vete-
rams. Several pledges of a bitter fight
at the polls to defeat politicians" url-
favorable to veterans brought forth
enthusiastic response. There was con-
siderable talk of turning loose on such
politicians hornets nest" of or
ganized opposition.
United Action Favored
Summing up the spirit of his mass
meeting address in his radio speech,
Comdr. Mcqueen said "the talk of the
times among veterans, able-bOdied and
disabilities are traceable to this war
veterans themselves The D. A. v. has
consistently supported this thought and
any member of the Veterans of For
eign Wars or the American Legion
may be assured of the most thorough
cooperation of the D. A. ", but only
under one absolute condition. That
condition is: THAT the man whose
disabilities are traceable to his war
service shall receive the highest con-
sideration in any movement looking
toward assistance to veterans in gen.
eral."
Concerning the discussion of bo-
nus, Mcqueen said: Assuming that
Justice would demand the payment
of hundreds of millions to the able
bodied, or that monthly pensions
should 90 to those with non-service-
connected disabilities, does any one con-
tend that these payments should be
made prior to the proper care of those
with disabilities traceable to their war
service?"
Positive and affirmative opposition
to the so-called bonus marchers on
Washington" was declared by Comdr.
Mcqueen, in both his meeting
speech and over the radio. He deplored
"mob scenes" anywhere, especially in
the National Capital and at the doors
Of Congress. -,
For two years thousands OF well
intentioned former service men nave
gone to Washington" he said, under the
leadership of self advertising promoters
We have positive evidence that among
leaders of these movements were
avoWed disciples of Moscow and others
who were separated from their war
service under conditions other than
honorable
ID. A. v. Points Emphasized.
High points of the recent D. A. v.
program were emphasized by the ma
tional commander. Restoration OF bene-
fits for service connected cases, he SAID,
constituted the keystone" to all veter-
ans legislation. OF particular interest
here in Washington Is the fight OF the
organization to have removed from vet
erans employed by the Government the
WFTCH'SIISED0N