Evening star., 1946-08-17
State Legion Backs
World War Pensions;
Elects Officers Today
By J. B. Zotmon
Stor StoH Corrsspcndent


Delegates to the 2Sth annual con-
vention of the American Legion's
Department today pre-
pared to wind up their four day
session with election OF officers,
after going on record yesterday in
favor of federal pensions for all
World War veterans when they
reach the age of so,
The Legion Auxiliary also elects
officers today, with Mrs. Earle
Poorbaugh, Baltimore, slated to
succeed Mrs. E. Kemp Troupe, Hale
thorpe, as president.
Three men are seeking the post
of department commander to sue
ceed Martin F. Iverson, Takoma
Park. Joseph l.. Ferri, an official of
the Baltimore local of the Interna-
tional Longshoremen's Union
(AFL), Is believed to have the in
side track, although John Boschen,
also of Baltimore, sales manager
for trailer-truck company, is ex-
pected to put up spirited fight.
The third candidate is C. Floyd
Feete, Brunswick funeral director.
All are World War veterans.
Ferris Slate.
On Mr.. Ferris slate are five vet
erans of World War II in further
ance of his statement that those
who served in the last war must be-
gin to assume full responsibility in
Legion affairs. They are w. B. Man.
gels, jr., of McDonogh, treasurer:
w. Earle Cobey, Cumberland, Judge
advocate: Herman Fornoff, Balti-
more, sergeant at arms; Morris
Leiberman, Baltimore, chaplain, and
w. H. Adams, Dundalk, historian.
Others on the ticket are Godfrey
Child, Pocomoke City. national
executive committeeman, and Ber-
nard Cassell, Kensington, alternate
national executive committeeman.
Mr.. Child, who is seeking re-elec-
ton, also is on Mr.. Boschen's slate,
along with Paul Milburn, Baltimore.
for treasurer; John Schammel, Bal
timore, sergeant at arms; Walter
Davis, Silver Spring, historian. and
Mr.. Leiberman, the only World War
II veteran on the ticket Mr.. Feets
has no other candidates running
with him.
Mr.. Fern has announced he per-
sonally favors State bonus for
Maryland veterans while Mr.. Bo-
schen and Mr.. Feete said they will
'go along" with the wishes of the
veterans.
Split on Pension Issue.
The conventions action in adopt
ing the pension resolution, submit
ted by Walter Green, Post No. IA.
Baltimore colored unit, marked a
split between World War I and
World War II veterans, with virtu-
ally all of the latter group opposing
the measure. The roll call vote,
taken after a heated discussion, was
81 to %. Many of the delegations
refused to vote or were absent.
Llnwood Roger, assistant city So
llcitor of Baltimore and a delegate
OF the post sponsoring the resolu-
ton, said the time has come when
the Federal Government should take
care of World War I veterans.
| Two resolutions presented by
| Clssel Saxon Post No. Al, Silver
Spring, were approved. They pro-
vide that dependents of reserve
Army and Navy personnel receive
the same benefits as those whose
husbands were in the regular
branches of the service and call for
the appointment of a paid depart
ment officer to handle claims in
the Washington regional Office of
the Veterans Administration.
Other Resolutions Approved.
Other resolutions approved in
clude: Construction of a bridge
across the Chesapeake Bay at some
suitable location as a memorial to
those killed in both World Wars.
Erection of a new home as head
quarters for the Maryland Depart
ment.
Presentation of all resolutions ap-
proved by the Maryland Depart
ment to the national Legion con-
ivention
| Authorizing personnel of the
| organized Reserve Corps Of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps and
National Guard to purchase equip
ment in Government stores.
Establishment of veterans
blood bank in each Maryland De-
partment district.
Reduction of the retirement age
under the Social Security Act to 55
instead of 65, as at present.
Passage of national legislation to
eliminate employment of aliens on
ships operated by the War Shipping
Administration.
Disapproved were resolutions max
ing Merchant Marine personnel ELI
gible for Legion membership and
urging suspension of all immigration
for 10 years.
A resolution presented by My
Maryland Post No. l26, Capitol
Heights, urging that promotions in
the Government be based on COM
petitive examinations and calling
for a five-point preference for vet
Grams, was referred back to the
Resolutions Committee for further
consideration.
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