The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-03-22
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
THE LEGIoN'S ZERO HOUR


The American people have just administered a
stunning defeat to the American Legion Passage
of the presidents economy bill was achieved only
after last-ditch resistance from the chief organ
ization of veterans Prolonging situation which
threatened the very stability of the government,
the Legion's lobby in Washington persisted in the
ATTEMPT to block reform. And its last desperate
stand disclosed plainly how far the Legion mas
strayed not only from its original patriotic pur-
poses but from useful defense Of legitimate Veter-
ans interests.
In n final effort to avert defeat it attempted 20
sacrifice those veterans who most merit help from
the government That is what the lobbys plan
for an all-round reduction of rs per cent in all
veterans benefits meant. 1t would have penazed
men actually disabled in battle in order that men
who never saw battle and who are neither disabled
nor in want might continue to receive federal aims
Such a betrayal of the genuinely deserving vet
eran has shocked the country, and apparently many
Of the Legion's own members. 1t goes far to JUS
tifv charges that the LegOn-which now repre-
sonts loss than one-fourth of the World War vet
erans-has become primarily a pcnsion-grabblng
CORPORATION. While Legion posts have engaged in
MANY useful activities, unselfshy serving their
come lately to regard the organization as first OF
all a political lever for prying open the treasury
doors. The country has felt that its required &C.
Tense from those who were once it defenders.
But this Earring defeat on the economy bill
should mark the bottom of the depression for inc
Legion From the nadir of patriotism reached IN
the offer to sacrifice deserving veterans the Legion
can execute an about face. And 1t Is apparently
manifesting desire to do so. The national COM
,narder Mr. Louis A. Johnson, has issued ring
ing call to all posts to express their loyalty to the
president and to give him the utmost help IN
carving out the new regulations for veterans re-
lief.
IF the Legion can fulfill the spirit of this appeal,
it will regain much of the ground 1T has lost More
than words will be required. Utmost help' III
carving out the new law will entail real assls-
lance in wedding out unwarranted claims 1t Will
mean whole-hearted support of the presidents
purpose to stop doles to the undeservng 1t leaves
no room for reprisals upon members OF congress
who dared this time to disobey the Legion lobby
And it will require thorough housekeeping by
the better elements within the Legion.
Above all, it demands new attitude not only by
the Legion but by other elements in the country
which have taught many EeCeraiiS " i0'N upon 0
government as something from which to derive
support instead of something to which they should
give support On the night of his inaugural Pres'-
dent Roosevelt called upon the Legionnares to
make the sacrifices the times require from all citl-
zens, and declared
The forces of selfishness and inertia, of lazine$s
and fear are enemies with whom we never conclude
an armistce."
If the Legion will take up the fight against those
forces-in itself and in the nation-the present
zero hour will prove the starting point for peace
time victories great as any recorded in Wharf.-The
Christian Science Monitor.