Evening star., 1935-12-17
PAY|NGBONUS NOW.
URGED BY MURPHY.
National Legion Head Gives
Roosevelt Demand for
Next Session.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

Immediate payment of the soldiers
bonus was urged on President Roose-
welt today by Ray Murphy, national
commander of the American Legion.
This demand stood at the top Of the
Legion's legislative porgram for the
coming session Of Congress. Other
recommendation in the program in
cIuded additional Government protec-
ton for widows and children OF de-
ceased World War veterans, universal
service in case of another war, and
adequate national defense.
Comdr. Murphy pointed out to the
President that members Of the Amer
ican Legion are actuated by the high
est motives of patriotism. He urged
that the matter of payment Of the
adjusted compensation be settled on
its own merits and in no way con-
fused or involved with any other sub
jects.
Bonus Held First Debt.
Murphy contended payment Of the
bonus by the Government is a just
debt, and to meet it now will prove
a tremendous stimulant to improved
economic conditions and a powerful
factor in overcoming the depression,
from which we have started to
emerge"
Regarding universal service. Comdr
Murphy told the President that since
1921 the American Legion has stood
steadfast in its irsistence that should
war ever again come to this country,
its burdens be shared equally, and that
honest service in defense of this coun-
try be universal. He said that placing
the universal service law upon the
statute books in the form recon-
nended by the Legion will make i'm
possible recurrence of prodteering SO
prevalent during the last war.
Other matters urged IN the Legion;
legislative program included a request
that it be mandatory on the part Of
all departments of the Government tc
observe and enforce veteran prefer
ence in the selection, retention anc
promotion in the civil service. Also
that there be amendments to the
World War veterans act, which vii
liberalize certain provisions Of tht
laws concerning the disabled and vet
erans' insurance and to put an enc
to specific inequalities existing in The
present laws. Also. the construction
to supply 1925 additional hospita
beds.
Other Points in Program.
The Legions program also asks re-
cision of recognition OF Soviet Russia
expressed opposition to the advocacy
in America Of NaZi-isna, Fascism, Com
munisn, "or any other isms' contrary
to the fundamental principles of De-
mocracy, as established under tht
Constitution Of the United States
that November II be set aside eact
year as a national legal holiday; clos
ing of all immigration for 10 years
deportation of aliens who are mem
bers of any society, group or organiza'
ton that proposes to change or over
throw this Government by fore
or violence; deportation of all des
titute aliens and all aliens Of il
legal entry: compulsory flngerprint
ing of all persons: opposition
TO executive clenency for Grover c
Bergdoll or any other draft evader
preference in employment on publi
works for citizens Of the Unitet
States; approval of the efforts by thi
Government to collect war debts with
out further extension or reduction
encouragement of appropriations u
the States for educational facilitie
for children. and provision that Ma
tional Guard officers and men OF th'
organized Reserve Of the Army, Nav!
and Marine Corps, injured in line o.
duty, receive the same compensation
and treatment as officers and men o.
the Regular Army, in like cases.