Evening star., 1946-08-16
0'Conor Pledges
Maryland 'sHeIp
0nveteranAims
Executive Avoids
Use of Word Bonus
In Talk to Legion
Wy -. .. %OIWON
Stor Stoff Coryespondent


CUMBERLAND, Nd, Aug. 49,
Maryland intends to do all possible
Tor veterans Happiness and eco
nomic success" Gov. O'Conor said
at today's session of the Maryland
American Legion.
"It has been and is our sincere
belief that Maryland owes every
benefit within the financial power
of its people to those who bore the
brunt of the defense of democracy,
the chief executive said in his ad-
dress. which avoided use of the
WORD bonus
Whether the debt is to be dis
charged, however. by a cash pay
ment which might be dissipated
quickly, is a matter for your serious
consideration, he continued. Vet
erans now represent more than
two-fifths of the population of our
Nation. For every large outlay of
money, even though 1t be in their
behalf. they will be called upon
to shoulder a great share of the OBJ
lgation thus assumed by the Gov
ernment"
Asks Rehabilitation Study.
He suggested this convention
might devote study to and make
recommendations on rehabilitation
education and housing.
To consider these problems, Mr..
O'Conor said his recently named
Commission on Veterans Needs
would meet Monday for the first
time to begin preparing its recon-
mendations for the next General
Assembly.
His remarks followed YESTERDAY, S
action by the Resolutions Commit
tee calling for a Federal pension for
all veterans of World War 1. If
brought to the floor, the measure is
expected to precipitate a fight by
World War II servicemen.
A proposal by a Silver Spring post
that dependents Of the Reserve Army
and Navy personnel be given the
same benefits as those whose hus-
bands were in the regular branches
OF the service also is among resolu-
tions to be presented today.
The departments 18th annual
four-day convention and its first
since the war ended comes to a
close tomorrow. The Legion Aux
1hary also is meeting here in observ-
ance of its silver anniversary. The
auxiliary awarded more than
dozen trophies to member posts in
recognition of outstanding service
during the past year.
Parade Planned Tonight.
Highlighting today's meeting will
be a parade at p. m., with 116
members of Troop B, Sd Recon-
Nuisance Mechanized Cavalry, sta
toned at Camp George G. Meade.
In the line of march.
The Silver Spring resolution, sub
mitted by Cissel-Saxon Post No. Al
has been recommended for approval
by the Resolutions Committee of
which. Joseph A. Cantrel, Chevy
Chase, is chairman.
Post delegates charged that under
present regulations, wives of reserve
officers and men are Disseminated
against in receiving veterans bene-
fits. They recommended that action
be taken to correct such a condition.
Other resolutions to be placed be-
fore the convention, at which Mar
tin F. Iverson, Takoma Park, is pre-
siding as department commander,
include: Appointment of paid Le-
gion officer to handle claims in the
Washington regional Office of the
Veterans Administration, also pre-
sented by the Cissel-Saxon post.
Granting officers and enlisted men
OF the organized reserve corps of
the Army, Navy and Marine Corps
and National Guard the right to
purchase equipment at service stores,
submitted by Bethesda Chevy Chase
Post No. 105
Construction of a bridge across
Chesapeake Bay as a memorial to
World War II veterans, submitted
by Dorchester Post No. 81, Cam
bridge.
Establishment of veterans blood
banks in each district of the Mary
land department, submitted by Lord
Baltimore Post, No. 100, Baltimore.
Two Prince Georges County units
OF the Legion auxiliary and one
from Montgomery County were
among those receiving awards at the
organizations session
Greenbelt Unit No. 1873 received
the Glen Burnie Cup for the best
work in community service and the
My Maryland Unit No. 126, Capitol
Heights, won the Guy c. Parlett Cur
for outstanding work in Southern
Maryland. The Cissel-Saxon wom-
ems unit was awarded the Ada Long
Cup for outstanding history. Other
prizes were awarded as follows:
At the conclusion of the Legion
ana auxiliary business sessions, del
egates attended the dedication OF
155-milimeter gun on the lawn of
the Allegany County Courthouse
one-time site of the parade ground
OF Fort Cumberland.
The gun was presented by James
Holmes. member OF the Allegany
County Board Of Commissioners, to
Mr.. Iverson, who accepted on behalf
OF the department. 1t replaces a
German cannon captured during
World War I. which was contrib
uted to the scrap drive shortly after
World War II broke out.
W>Il-..l ef nI.