Evening star., 1947-01-12
BY George Beveridge

By George Beveridge
(This is the first OF t,1o articles
on Deterans' organizations ,Drit-
ten By The Stars editor OF pet
erans' affairs folloaotng Jfrst-hard
contact ,Dith them in meetings
and conDentions.)
- ISTRICT Of Columbia vet
FL erans of World War II.
along with some 14,000, 600
ex-servicemen and women
throughout the Nation, are facing
a year of high-pressure salesman
ship from organizations anxious to
speak for them, protect them and
gain benefits for them.
Organization leaders already have
mapped extensive legislative pro-
grams to deal with direct benefits.
The, Seventy eighth and Seventy
ninth Congresses passed benefits that
total nearly $4,000, 900, 900. Other
programs were aimed at giving ex-
GIs a chance to sound off on local,
national and international affairs.
Still others offered sizable social
and fraternal activities. Many new
groups sprang up.
The veterans organization move
ment became a tangible factor in
American life shortly after the
World War I. But not for 25 years
did groups see a potential member
ship whose immediate families con-
stitute more than half of the Ma
tion's population. Within a few
wears veterans will be 10000, 600
strong.
$4,000 D. G.. Area Veterans
Return to Civilian Life
According to selective service
figures, about $4,000 District vet
Grams are back in civilian life. The
Veterans Administration estimates
there are at least $4,000 in the
Washington area. Confronted by
veterans organizations almost be-
fore they had a chance to get out
uniform, many of the ex-GIs
turned away after quick glance;
about rs per cent made a choice and
Joined. Most are still looking.
Like veterans throughout the Ma
ton, those here have seen five major
groups emerge to the forefront
American Legion, Veterans OF For
eign Wars, Disabled American Vet
Grams, American Veterans of World
War II and American Veterans
Committee. To the majority at
least, names of the first three were
familiar from prewar days. The
latter two-direct offspring of the
last war-remain something of a
mystery.
To the local veteran the American
Veterans of World War II-Amvets-
is probably the least known. At the
moment, it is the question mark
among the big five.
Nationally, Amvets whipped Its
family squabbles into shape at a
national convention six weeks ago
in st. Louis. Locally, it rolled up its
sleeves last month and decided to
start all over again.
Armed with weak policy platforms
during the past year. Amvets has
followed conservative, almost non
committal, path-ofending few and
attracting few. The group claims
90 900 members in nearly 1000 posts,
but its leaders admit they aren't
sure of the exact membership.
Amvets' activities have also been
consistently limited by shortage of
operating funds. Failing to draw
any considerable financial support
outside the organization, the group
has been forced to operate almost
entirely on dues-which, leaders say,
largely because of involved proce-
ldure, also have been slow in reaching
national headquarters.
The convention, after heated cam
paigns for new leader, elected Ray
Sawyer, 37-year-old Federal Com
munications Commission attorney,
of 609 South walter Reed drive, Ar
lington. During the war he was a
major on Gen. H. H. Arnold's staff
and last year he headed District
Amvets.
Amvets leaders resent frequent
implications that because of con-
servative actions they are little
American Legion" If they were,
they argue, they would have no
reason for existing. They believe
young veterans want to build an
organization Of their own with young
ideas.
The convention failed to present
Mr.. Sawyer with strong programs,
but it left him with a firm convic-
ton that Amvets is the group to
speak for young veterans,
For the present, however, he plans