Evening star., 1933-10-02
ROOSEVELT CALLS
LEGION TO COL0RS
Makes Plea for Support in
Recovery Fight, in Speech
in Chicago.
CONTINUED From First Page.)

incurred after his service had termi-
mated, and not connected with that
service"
1.-The car was stalled" he said IN
speaking of the Spring OF this year.
obviously the first objective was TO
get the engine running again. 1t Is true
that we succeeded in reopening large
number of the banks, but this would not
have been possible if at the same time
we had not been able to restore the
credit of the Government.
In speaking OF national credit we
are again dealing with real thing, not
q theory in books. Industry cannot be
restored, people cannot be put back to
work. banks cannot be kept open. hu.
man suffering cannot be cared for, II
the Government itself is bankrupt.
Program Affected Veterans.
I'VE realize now that the great hu-
man values, not for you alone but for
all American citizens. rest upon the un-
impaired credit of the United States.
1T was because of this that we un-
dertook to take the National Treasury
out of the red and put it into the black
And in the doing of it we laid down two
principles which directly affected pene-
fits to veterans-to you and veterans OF
other wars.
The first principle following in
evitably from the obligation OF citizens
to bear arms, is that the Government
has a responsibility for and towards
those who suffered injury or contracted
disease while serving in its defense.
THE second principle is that no
person, because he wore uniform
must thereafter be placed in special
class of benefciaries over and above all
other citizens. The fact Of wearing a
uniform does not mean that he can de-
mand and receive from his Government
a benefit which no other citizen re-
ceiyes. It does not mean that because
a person served in the defense OF his
country performed basic obligation OF
citizenship. he should receive a pension
from his Government because OF dis
ability incurred after his service has
terminated and not connected with
that service"
Leaves Summer White House.
The President went before the open
ing session of the convention imme-
diately upon his arrival here, just be-
fore noon, after last-minute decision
Yesterday to break up his Summer
White House at Hyde Park. N. Y, and
visit both the convention and the Cen
tury of Progress.
As he rode westward last night to
the Midwest metropolis he announced
from his special train the creation OF a
gigantic Government corporation to
purchase and distribute the necessities
of life to the destitute this Winter. This
program, involving about S330000 900,
calls for about the same amount as
was reduced from veterans allowances
under the economy plan.
Discussing other national affairs, the
President warned that the realization OF
the domestic recovery drive cannot be
attained in six months, but he reported
progress.
Re employment has proceeded only
a part of the way" he said, from week
to week there will be ups and downs,
but the net result is a consistent gain
The freezing of credits has been stopped
and the ice is definitely melting. Farm
income has been increased; 1t must be
further increased. Industry has picked
up, but an increased purchasing power
must stimulate 1t further.
II ask your further and even greater
efforts in our program of national re-
covery. You who wore the uniform.
you who served, you who took the oath
you who support the ideals of Ameri-
can citizenship, I have called to the
colors again. AS your commander in
chief and your comrade, I am conf
dent that you will respond
Convention Is Opened.
Promptly at 10 o'clock the booming
voice of National Commander John
son declared the convention under
way, as empty seats began to fill on the
delegates floor and spectators flooded
the galleries.
On the speakers platform the solemn
ceremony of presenting the colors
swung the big meeting into action to
consider the agenda, minus the ex-
plosive issues that have thrown pre-
vious Legion gatherings into turmoil
The bonus as topic of heated contro-
versy was not formally before the Le-
gion, but todays gathering, with Presi-
dent Roosevelt making a dramatic ap-
pearance in the same auditorium in
which he was nominated for the preSi-
dency. took its place among the most
historic of Legion meetings
Pay Tribute to Singer.
Nine Ernestine Schumann- -Heink,
''mother of the LEGION her face
alight with fervor, assembled the plat
form to roar of applause that gave
way to dead silence as the assemblage
stood at rigid salute to hear her strong
voice swell out the national anthem.
The solemn voice of Rev. Irwin @.