Evening star., 1933-10-02
President Is Given RousingI
Reception Upon Arrival on
Platform in Chicago.
HITS SPECIAL Benefits
FOR WEARING OF UNIFORM
Declares Non-Service Disabled
Will Be Given Same Care
as Others.
By the Associated Press.


CHICAGO STADIUM. Chicago, Oc-
tober president Roosevelt backed up
his veterans economy program with
plain talk and comrades smile today
before the World War soldiers assembled
in the American Legion convention.
The band swung into the National
Anthem as the President took his place
on the platform. With an overseas cap
of the National Press Chapter Of the
American Legion set jauntily on his
head, he stood rigidly at attention while
the band finished playing.
He told the cheering men in blue
after a tumultous reception that greater
benefits were hoped for the veterans
who suffered disability in service, but
he stood by his rule against special
benefits" to those who incurred in
Jury or disease not connected with
service.
Walking on to the platform where he
accepted the nomination as President
from the Democratic Convention In
1882 Mr.. Roosevelt donned the cop OF
the Legion as the maSSed stadium
roared with cheers and applause.
Appearance Dramatic.
The Presidents appearance before the
Legion, which has taken issue with him
over the cuts in veterans compensation,
was fully as dramatic as his previous
appearance in Chicago Stadium.
Looking fresh, in spite OF the hasty
departure from Hyde Park, N. Y, the
Chief Executive addressed the crowded
stadium. his face alight with vitality,
his words coming sharply and carrying
clearly to the huge reaches OF the hall.
Seeming to sense the drama OF the
occasion, the huge assemblage hung
tensely on the executives words. The
applause rocked the structure.
Speaking in stronger voice, the Presi-
dent pointed his finger at the veterans
and declared: If the individual af-
fected can afford to pay for his own
treatment, he cannot call on any form
of Government aid.
IF he has not the wherewithal to
take care of himself. it is first OF all the
duty of his community to take care OF
him and next the duty Of his State.
Only if under these circumstances his
own community and his own State are
unable, after reasonable effort, to care
for him, then, and then only, should
the Federal Government offer him hos
pitalization and care, and the Govern
Again the stadium echoed with cheers
and applause.
Strikes at Class Distinction.
Striking at class distinction as an
enemy of national unity, President
Roosevelt assured the veterans that any
suffering and destitute would be as
sured of the same relief the Govern
ment was giving to other citizens in
the same plight.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served
in the war as Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy, was cheered as he recalled
his own service and his Legion mem
bership. He spoke also as a veteran
disabled after his war service. An at
tack of infantile paralysis in 1922 made
it slightly difficult today for his legs
to carry his robust body and broad
shoulders out to the front of the plat
form.
Reaching Chicago at II o'clock (Cen-
trail Standard Time), the President re-
manned on his private car to communi-
cate with Secretary Hull about the
Cuban situation before motoring to the
stadium.
Crowds jammed the streets and
cheered Justify. Ticker paper and con-
fetti blanketed the streets.
The President pounded the desk with
his fist as he asserted with friendly
smile: The fact Of wearing uniform
does not mean that he (the veteran)
can demand and receive from his Gov
ernment a benefit which no other citizen
receives.
1T does not mean that because per-
son served in the defense OF his country,
performed a basic obligation of citizen
ship, he should receive pension from
his Government because of disability
(Continued on Page 8. Column -