The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-07-06


 Legion in future rehabilitation and legislative matters is being given careful study throughout the United States, according to an an- nouncement by E. V. (Pat) Cliff, vice chairman of the Legion's na- tional rehabilitation committee, and Watson B. Miller, chairman, at recent conferences.
 The conferences are conducted in areas and are attended by de- partment officials of the Legion and auxiliary from surrounding states, and by them carried back to department conventions for study, discussion and action. Such conferences have been held in Bos- ton, where the statement was writ ton after a five hour debate; in Atlantic City, Savannah, Little Rock, Kansas City and Chicago, with three more to come in Dem yer, July 10-11; Spokane, Wash, July 14-15, and Santa Monica, Calf, July 24-25, The statement Is being tentatively improved as to wording as the conference pro- gresses, After action by the de- partment conventions 1t will be submitted to a vote of the national convention in Miami, Fla, october 22-26, and If adopted will become the official sentiment of the Legion as a whole on matters of national legislation especially as 1t affects disabled veterans and dependents.
 Equality Is Sought
 The tentative statement, ap- proved by conferences so far held, declares for the enactment into law of the principle of universal service in time of war. It has been explained at the conferences that the Legion does not seek to place the World war veterans upon a pe- destal, nor put them in class by themselves; but to bring them out Of a class of handicap into which they have been placed by reason of their service, and bring them up to the level of those who did not serve. In order to eliminate what are called such inequalities in the future, 1t Is declared the burden of war should be borne by all cit- izens alike, and not chiefly by the youth who Is drafted to do the fighting, while others reap fortunes and high wages.
 Chairman Miller announces that all who are interested in the dis abled veterans and the dependents will be welcome at the conferences still to be held in Denver, Spo- kane and santa Monica.
 Tentative Statement
 The statement of Policy" as 1t Is bein submitted to the confer- ences and adopted with minor cor- rections here and there as 1t goes along, follows:
 "In order that the American people may-in the cross fire of publicity sponsored by certain groups and organizations--under. stand the position of the American Legion as to World war veterans, 1t Is stated as follows:
 ""The Legion stands as advocat- Ing compensation solely for war disabilities and deaths, with hos pitalization when required. It Is proponent for hospitalization in federal hospitals for disabilities not service e-incurred only when 1t Is actually necessary and in cases where the veteran Is unable to pay for care privately. This Is Q priv ilege granted to all citizens in sim liar circumstances in private or public hospitals.
 "'The responsibility for the med lcal care of the civilian group ia in the community; the responsi- bility for the care of the veteran who fought for the whole people Is vested in the federal government.
 "'The American Legion seeks only to restore to productivity as far as possible maimed and sick ened bodies of the per cent of us tolled off to do the fighting for the rest of us. This principle, with minor variations as to plan and procedure, has been America's policy since 1636. The Legion does not seek to place soldiers in a more elevated station than the honorable one they occupy in the hearts of the American people. It merely bends its efforts to restore levels disturbed by war and it's col laterals. It advocates adequate protection for widows and orphans of deceased veterans only when these dependents are in need of such protection.
 "Icliminate Inequalities"
 "Beyond its position with res spcct to disabled veterans the Le. ion adheres to the principle oi universal service in time of war contending that only thereby car the inequalities of the burden oi war be reduced as between those who serve with the armed forces and those who serve in civilian capacity.