Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-01-12
War on Veterans
In Full Swing
Foreign Service Magazine Tells Of
Work of National Economy
League In Opposing Vet
erans' Compensation.

When the anti-veteran forces of the
country recently gave birth to the Ma
tional Economy League they uncon-
sciously launched a movement that
will more than ever weld and cement
together in coordinated body the
Iex-service men of America. Forced to
defend themselves against ruthless
propaganda, veteran organizations
have unanimously expressed their
condemnation of the manner in which
the National Economy League has
made a proposed reduction in veteran
expenditures as its primary objective.
Emphatic resolutions. indicating the
unity that exists among the four ma
jor veteran organizations on this par
ticular subject, were adopted at the
1882 national conventions of the Unit
ed Spanish War Veterans. the Dis
abled American Veterans of the World
War, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the U. S. and the American Legion.
The avalanche of publicity being
accorded to the National Economy
League, in metropolitan newspapers
throughout the nation, is stirring the
individual veteran to new heights of
indignation. For the past two or
three years he has tolerated continual
abuses at the hands of anti-veteran
groups. He has heard himself pic
tured as treasury looter." a 'trai-
tor to the nations welfare" 'po-
tential Communist ready to wreck the
economic structure of the govern
ment." These terms have been ap-
piled to the veteran in response to
his demand for economic justice and
a square deal.
When the National Economy League
was organized several months ago un-
der the leadership of Archie Roose-
welt (whose shipping interests are
subsidized by the government with a
number of fat mail contracts) this
organization became the vehicle upon
which anti-veteran groups hope to
ride to victory.
For some uneXplainable reason, the
National Economy League immedi-
ately attracted, to its ranks number
of prominent individuals, some Of
whom are recognized as high digni-
taries in civic, military and political
circles. 1t was interesting to note at
the outset that the majority of those
selected as national officers of the
National Economy League were also
beneficiaries themselves of either pen
lions or retirement pay from federal
or state governments in sums ranging
from $4,000 to 200 a year. AL
though these men accepted office in
of them have publicly announced their
willingness to make personal sacri-
fees by giving up either their pen
sions or retirement pay as contribu-
tions to the welfare of the federal
budget.
However, the hypocrisy of these in
dividuals who are possessed of suffi-
cient wealth without the necessity of
accepting financial assistance from
state or federal sources, is by no
means offered as a justification of
alleged abuses on the part of the rank
and file of veterans.
There is a logical explanation and
reason for every piece Of veteran leg
islation on the statutes that the Ma
tOnal Economy League seeks to eli
inmate. Every measure adopted by
Congress was first subjected to the
closest of scrutiny and was only adopt
ed after due deliberatiOn by those who
| n n
their life work. ALI veteran legisla-
ton has been enacted on the basis
of practical experience and World War
veteran legislation adheres strictly to
precedents and principles that had
been established in previous years.
The World War veteran has neither
asked nor received legislative benefits
that had not already been granted to
veterans of previous wars in one form
| or another.
| We quote from one of four pam
phlets distributed by the National
Economy League:
1.-The National Economy League
takes as it's first specific objective the
elimination of the legalized abuse
| WHCIcUy a. lCdoI %1cO,VVO'VVV POi
mum is now being expended by the
national government for benefits to
veterans who suffered no disability
in or through war service. This ex-
penditure is entirely distinct from the
payments under the so-called 'Ad-
justed Compensation Act (popularly
known as the Bonus-)"
In describing the specific program
of the National Economy League, this
organization proposes the following
as its immediate program. A re-
duction in Spanish American War
pensions amounting to 100000, 900;
repeal of Disability Allowance Act
which would take from the World
War veteran the sum of $104,277 ,554;
il would make further reduction in
disability compensation to the amount
of $125, 100000; it would reduce the
retired pay of emergency officers by a
sum of $7,OOO,OO0; certain hospitali-
cation benefits would be eliminated
for a saving of $39,O0O,O00; further
construction of new hospitals would
be abandoned in order to save $12,-
$4,000. Through reduction of "un-