Evening star., 1939-08-31
Van zandt Forces
Are Victorious in
Pension Boost Fight
Equolity With Spanish
War Veterans Sought
In V. F. W. Bottle
0y the Associated Press,

BOSTON, Aug. 31.-A resolution
calling for a pension for disabled
World War veterans equal to that
awarded Spanish-American War
veterans, supported by Representa-
tive Van zandt, Republican, of
Pennsylvania wo ma temporary VIC
tory today during battle on the
floor of the 40th national conven-
ton of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
During the bitter debate Maj. Gen.
Smedley Butler, U. S. Marine Corps,
retired, declared he didn't see a
damn bit of difference between be-
ing shot in the World War and the
6panish-America War" and added
that in the event this country en-
tered another war he was going to
see to it that James Roosevelt went
along as private"
He declared there would be no war
IN Europe until Britain and France
were convinced that this Nation
would come in and pay the bills as
1t did in the last war"
Wohlman Plan Tabled.
The group led by Mr.. Van Zandt,
a former national commander of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars, succeeded
In tabling another pension resolu-
ton, proposed by Paul c. Wohlman
of Baltimore, another past COM
mander, despite declaration by the
latter that there was danger of los
ing public sympathy by seeking too
much"
Mr.. Wohlman declared that Mr..
Van Zandt's resolution, drafted by
the conventions Legislative Com
mittee, might endanger present pay
ments to widows and orphans of war
veterans.
Mr.. Wohlman favored a $50 pen
sion for World War veterans totally
disabled and $35 for veterans more
than so per cent incapacitated, with
age determining factor.
Cheers Interrupt Speech.
In fiery address frequently inter-
rupted by cheers, whistling and ap-
plause. Mr. Van Zandt told the
delegates the disabled veterans were
entitled to the increased pension on
the Spanish-American War scale.
Mr.. Van Zandt scoffed at Mr..
Wohlman's argument that the pen
sion would injure war widow and
orphans, adding that although it
was true it would cost money the
funds could be taken from the same
pot" as those for social security
payments.
Proposals for war referendum
and neutrality legislation found the
convention divided.
Many of the proposals struck at
aliens, and particularly at so-called
subversive groups. Pennsylvania
called for barring aliens from relief
rolls, halting immigration for 10
years, admitting no refugees from
''any country whatsoever" Mime
sofa suggested aliens become citizens
within five years or suffer deporta-
ton.
The war referendum was favored
by Wisconsin delegates, except "in
case of invasion of any nation in the
Western Hemisphere, but Ohio sug-
gested any Congressman unwilling
to shoulder the responsibility of a
war declaration should resign.
Secret Alliances Hit.
Nebraska hit at secret alliances"
In a four-point neutrality plan,
proposed the Nation withdraw pro-
lection from nationals who refuse
to leave war zones after due warm
ing, urge cash and carry policy
on commodity sales to belligerents
and called for rigid Government
control" of munitions.
Discussion of resolutions began
as the organizations musical units
assembled to see the Royal Oak
(MichD Bugle and Drum Corps again
awarded the national champion
ship and $1,000 prize after more
than IL hours competition in Boston
Garden. Dearborn, Mich, finished
second, and Wayne County Oetroit)
Mich, and Elgin, ILL.,, tied for third
place.
Royal Oak lost, however, to the
national champion American League
Corps of Marlboro, Mass, in later
match for the "all-American cham
pionship' and $500.
Repercussions From Crisis.
The thick pile of resolutions be-
fore the convention did not neglect
the perennial proposal of veterans
pensions. Nearly 40 drafts went
into the convention hopper on that
topic. Other resolutions suggested
preference for veterans in public and
private employment.
The European crisis found roper
cussions in an Illinois proposal to
give the Army an initial protective
force of 100000 men," with new
equipment and more reserves, and in
a Connecticut suggestion that the
President proclaim American rights
to freedom of the seas" and free
passage without being subjected to
any acts Of violence by any belliger-