Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-02-20
ATHERTON NsPIRES DRIVE


tho Detroit district
ATHERTON INSPIRES DRIVE
The drive follows the visit here
q Warren u. Atherton. national
commander Of the Legion.
Atherton told a Detroit audi
enCe
Death and disabled are the
harvest of war. As night fol-
lows day, so the long lines Of
laden stretChers follow every
engagement; hospitals, vOca-
tional training and aid and as
siStance 10 the wounded are as
much part Of war "a the guns
and ammunition.
1T isn't good sense 10 declare
war and then wait 90 make pro-
vision 10 care for the wounded
until you see II you get some
wounded. The sad truth il that
they are aS certain rs the fight
ing itself. If we wait 60 make
provision for them untiiwe have
them. men will he neglected.
Until nnw Congress and adj
ministrative officials have been
busy thinking and talking about
what they were going 10 do for
The wounded. theX failed ln-un=-
deTstand that while they were
talking, many men were being
wounded"
SECURITY FOR ALL
The Legions omnibus bill gen
orally known as the CT Bill OF
Rights would assure postwar
security for all veterans. In the
main, the bill would:
Provide for the appointment of
4 board TO reconsider reasons for
discharge. instead of requiring
that army discharge changes be
made by an act of Congress.
. Establish a fund for postwar
and for government
loans to veterans to purchase
homes and farms.
o Offer veterans disqualification
and rehabilitation assistance.
. Provide veterans unemployment
insurance on par with that
available 10 war workers, and
assist them in obtaining employ
ment.
BILL EAGERLY SUPPORTED
The Legions omnibus bin has
obtained the unqualified support
Of Mlchlgan'S congressman. A
leader among the supporters is
Rep Roy O. Woodruff tR) of
Port Huron He said:
I'm all for il and I shall vote
for immediate acceptance of the
entire program"
In the House, a committee is
the bill. under the
craftsmanship Of John +. Rankin
Of Mississippi. He is a veteran of
tho last war.
The Detroit Times and Other
Hearst newspapers are joining
with the American Legion i'm call
ing attention 10 the need for vet
Grams assistance, and IN urging
Congress 10 pass the omnibus bill.
II was the Legion which first
awakened the American public 10
the treatment being accorded
many Of those wounded in this
war.
The Legion reported last Dec. !
that survey of 1897 cases In "a
states showed many had been
forced 70 SubSiSt on charity or on
their own resources for four 10
seven monts&s.sfter release from
hospitals.
j was shown that the average
1ne that veterans OF this war
N ate Il for compensati6n was
almost tour months.
Their army or navy pay stopped
When they were discharged their
a.io'mentS 90 dependents also
stopped; they were forccd-to shift
Tor themselves until Il rating was
actually made
IN the case ~ those who were
seriously disabled and unenplov-
able hardship and suffering were
experienced Victims felt that the
promises Of care and attention
which had been given them were
empty words.
on Dec. T.. 1913 more than
10000 such cases Of World War III
veterans. wounded or disabled
during service, were already pend
Ing in The files Of the veteran,
administration