y'- r'-'
t.'..
VOL. L. VIII. NO. 18,428
Entered at Portland (Oreson
Post of fie aft Spcond-Clasn Matter.
PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY, ' DECE3IISEK 18, 1919.
PRICE FIVE CEXTS
I
MAN ELECTROCUTED
CLEARING ICE AWAY
SECRETARY LANE'S
ENGINEER LEAPS AS
COOS TRESTLE FALLS
li.(iLMi AXD CARS CRASH 2 0
FEET; BOILER EXPLODES.
LUMBERMEN BITTERLY
PROTEST CAR FAMINE
FINLEY OUSTED AS
MRS. BILLIIMGS WINS
$15,000 TACOMA CASE
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
POINTS OUT
STATE BIOLOGIST
RISK FAILURE
HIGH-POWER WIRF. IS STRUCK
WITH IRON BAR.
WASHINGTON TOLD INDUSTRY
IS -PRACTICALLY PROSTRATE.
i
LOSES SUICIDE CONTENTION.
ROADS' RETENTION
ASKED OF WILSON
Union Labor and Farmers
Make Request.
LEG ON
JOB UE ONE
WAR
:
I'
i-t -
RATE INCREASE FORECAST
Delegation Informed Presi
dent's Mind Still Open.
PEACE-TIME TEST URGED
Enactment of Legislation to Be Dc.
layed by Differences Between
Senate and House.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 17. President
"Wilson's mind ia still open on the
question of returning the railroads to
private control. Secretary Tumulty
today told a delegation representing
union labor and farmers' organiza
tions which called at the White House
to present a letter asking the execu
tive to delay return of the roads for
two years. -,
This was the first authoritative ex
pression on the subject which had
come from administration quarters
since the president . informed con
gress last May that he planned to
relinquish federal control by Jan
uary 1. The president, Mr. Tumulty
said, would be glad to get the views
of the labor and farmer representa
tives, who Insisted that a fair test of
government operation In peace time
should bw given.
Cummins Rear Request.
a hue the delegation was at the
White House the senate was speed
lng up consideration of the Cummins
railroad bill and apparently was near-
lng a final vote. Under the measure
the roads would be returned to their
owners within 30 days after the bill
became law, but there was no pros
pect that final enactment of any rail
road legislation would be completed
until well after the Christmas holi
days, owing to differences between
the senate and house.
Before going to the White House,
the union labor and farmers' dele
, . : ; gation, which included Samuel Gom
pers, president of the American Fed
'."k.s" eration of Labor, and representatives
...'"y ot tno railroad brotherhoods, called
on Senator Cummins, chairman of the
aenaie interstate commerce committee
- . . and asked that his bill be withdrawn.
He indicated he would lay the re
Quest before the full committee.
'.' ' The letter from fh lnhtr r -
. ers delegations to the president said
proponents of the Cummins bill
-. - ptatmpH tliot Ilia ,3 . 1
. v. ificomciiL piannea
. -- -" lo return the roads by January 1 and
' that some legislation providing for
BUC" "turn must be enacted imme
'' dlately.
V i Rate Iarrm. T-.1 .
"Director-General Hines and merri
. ? ! ol lne interstate commerce com-
' . t mission have shown florn. .v. . . v. ..
. . . J 1.11
' , return of the railroads will involve
yi an Increase In freight rates of close
. j,uuu,uuu,uoo. This increase will be
" ; ',- renectea in an increased cost of liv
.- ing of at least S4 (inn nnn nnn -
"f possibly 15,000,000.000. The American
. - ' - neonla pannnt anH ehnut . . ,
. . k w..vu.u UUL BL0.11U
.1- -1 such an increase. .
' '... " respectrully request that you
'.' "top the rumors that you plan to
.... return the railroads to private con
trol and that in view of the changed
conditions and unrest .af.hii.i.
4 v ""..v. i.uiuiutin;o ujr auvocating tnat
i -v. i"iiuu ui Bovernment operation
."- e continued for at least two years.
... . - uiaiivcjv accepted an
amendment by Senator Jones, repub
lican, Washington, designed to pre
vent ioreign-owned railroads and
ship lines from discriminating against
American carriers by cutting their
rates on shipments to points within
the United States. Senator Jones ex
plained that the amendment is aimed
especially at. certain Canadian rail
roads, over which, because of reduced
rates, such American goods are shin
pend in bond through Canada to
Pacific coast cities of the Unite
States and also railroad-owned ship
lines touching Alaskan ports.
The anti-strike provisions were con
sidered briefly tonight, but went over
until tomorrow.
A substitute for the anti-strike
clauses, introduced by Senator Mc
Cormick, republican, Illinois, will be
considered tomorrow. His plan Is
similar to the Canadian law and
would prohibit strikes or lockouts of
employes until 60 days after decisions
by an arbitration board. The Mc
Cormick plan also would require the
arbitration board to dispose of all
controversies within 90 days.
Senator Cummins said American
labor leaders were more opposed to
the Canadian system than to the
provisions of the pending bill.
The letter to the president was
signed by the following farmers' rep
resentatives: George P. Hampton,
managing director of the Farmers' na
tional council, and Fred J. Chamber
lain, representative of the Washing
ton, Oregon, Idaho and Colorado state
granges, and others.
TIGER'S CONDITION GOOD
Last Bulletin on Premier Clemen
ceau Reads: "Satisfactory."
PARIS, Dec. 17. Tonight's bulletin
on M. Clemenceaus condition reads:
"The premier's condition is very
satisfactory."
There will be no further bulletins,
Vrtliur N. Nicholson, Manager of
Park Apartments, Dies Instant
ly, on Fire Escape.
Arthur N. Nicholson, 3S years of
age, night auditor at the Multomah
hotel and manager of the Park apart
ments. 355 Harrison Btreet, was in
stantly killed by electrocution yes
terday when ne accidentally struck a
high power wire with an iron bar
while clearing ice from a water pipe
leading from the root of the apart
ment house.
Acting Harbor Master Prehn and
Officer Ahern, of the harbor patrol,
went to the .scene with a pulmotor
and an effort was made to resusci
tate the man. Dr. H. F. Leonard
was also called. The body was
turned .over to Leo Goetsch, deputy
coroner, who announced there would
be no inquest.
Mr. Nicholson was standing on the
fire escape at the . apartment house
and as the fire escape was wet it
was a good conductor. When he
struck the wire tenants in the apart
ment house slw a flash. Assistance
was summoned Immediately and the
police were notified.
Mr. Nicholson had been a resident
of Portland for the past 19 years.
coming to this city from Victoria,
B. C. He was for a time associated
with the Portland hotel, later trans
ferring to the Multnomah.
He is survived by his widow and a
daughter Dorothy, 8 years of age.
He leaves a mother and a brother.
Dr. Frank Nicholson, both of whom
live in Victoria, B. C.
RESTAURANT PRICES STAY
50 00 Xew York Houses Defeat
Rise to Consumers.
NEW YORK, Dec. 17. Representa
tives of 5000 New York restaurants
in convention today decided that de
spite heavy increases in operating
costs and losses due to prohibition,
they would not Increase prices to con
sumers, but would meet the situation
by effecting economies of operation.
Joseph Burger, president of the
united restaurant owners' association,
said a resolution to increase charges
had ljeen defeated. An earlier report
said the restaurant men had decided
upon a 10 per cent rise to become ef
fective January 1. Mr. Burger said
the association had collected $100,000,
which, will be used to . help smaller
members keep in business.
HEAD OF CHRIST IS "SEEN"
Picture Drawn During Period of
Spiritual Inspiration.
LONDON, Dec. 17. (Special.) Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle, who in his lec
tures on spiritualism repeatedly has
declared he has been in communica
tion with the spirit of his son. writes
to the Daily Mail describing "a most
marvellous" head of Christ which, he
says, was drawn in a few hours under
spiritual inspiration by Airs. Spencer.
daughter - in - law of Viscountess
Churchill.
He asserts that Mrs. Spencer nor
mally has no power of artistic ex
pression, and he affirms that the pic
ture. now exhibited at the Walker
gallery, New Bond street, is "the
finest head of the founder of christi
anity that ever has been conceived."
HOUSING CORPORATION HIT
Congressman Charges Organization
With Extravagance.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17. Charges
that the United States housing Cor
poration In revising salaries of its
officers moved the majority of them
upwards were made in the house to
day by Representative Clark, demo
crat of Florida, in opening debate on
the bill to dissolve the corporation.
"Grafters are grafters, whether
democrats or republicans, and you
will find them about equally divided
in this housing corporation," he said.
Extravagant expenditures had been
made Representative Clark said, on
construction of emergency buildings
and dormitories during the war, par
ticularly those in Washington, to
house volunteer war workers.
FAMILY LOST IN SNOW
Travelers Not Heard From Since
Start Across Mountains.
EUGENE, Or., Dec. 17. (Special.)
That L. E. Williams, his wife, three i
small children and brother, George '
Williams, who started from Fall
Creek with a four-horse team and
wagon on November 3 to cross the
Cascade mountains on the .way to
Harney county may have perished
in the snow or that they are snow
bound somewhere In the mountains,
is the belief of their friends and ac
quaintances in Eugene and Fall
Creek.
. Sheriff Fred G. Stickels yesterday
was informed that the family has
not been heard from since.
SEIZURE LAW IS UPHELD
Illinois Statute for Liquor Search
Held Constitutional.
SPRINGFIELD, 111., Dec. 17. Con
stitutionality of the Illinois "search
and seizure" law as far as it pertains
to hunting out and confiscation of li
quor illegally possessed, was upheld
today by the state supreme court.
The court held invalid that part of
the law which provides for the de
struction of liquor and other confis
cated property without due notice be-
ing given owners.
Wish to Quit Wilson Cab
inet Long Known.
TEAM WORK HELD DIFFICULT
Disagreement With Chief on
Many Points Clear.
RETIREMENT SOON LIKELY
Report of Resignation Premature,
but Secretary Makes Xo Denial
of Desire to Get Away.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. Dec. 17. Premature publica
tion today of the announcement of
the resignation from the cabinet of
Franklin K. Lane, secretary of the in
terior, served to emphasize as news
what has been common gossip in
Washington for more than a year.
In denying this afternoon that his
resignation had gone to the presi
dent, Secretary Lane offered no con
tradiction of the statements as to the
reason for his proposed retirement,
which the unauthorized announce
ment carried.
It has been generally understood
for a long period that Secretary Lane
had not been in agreement with the
administration on many matters. Him
self a big man of broad experience.
it has undoubtedly been difficult for
him to work in harmony, at all times
with some other member:- of the cab
inet who were not selec -t -ause of
their special qualifita' wi-
Clash 'With Baker ik.e-n.'ld.
One of his first disagreements was
with Secretary Baker early in the
war, his criticism ot some or me a.a-
mlnistrative acts of the secretary of
war being In harmony with what was
the common opinion at that time.
While other cabinet members have
been quick to shout "me, too,' to
every new pronouncement of their
chief, Mr. Lane has always reserved
his judgment and later approved or
maintained silence as his wisdom dic
tated. There is no doubt that the latest
occasion Tor his displeasure was tne
manner of settling the coal strike.
Secretary Lane was the only man in
the cabinet who had any detailed or
expert knowledge of the coal mining
situation. It is the business of his
department to know all about the
coal mining industry of the country
and it was his department that sup
plied Fuel Administrator Garfield
with the information on which the
strike was being settled.
Lane aturally DlMitleaMed.
To have the plan of settlement of
fered by the fuel administrator on the
advice of the secretary of the in
terior suddenly set aside to serve the
ends of politics was of course dis
tasteful to Mr. Lane, who has played
no politics at any time in the admin
istration of his office. He regarded
the white house Interference in the
strike settlement as uncalled for and
unfortunate for the ordinary consum
ers' of coal, who are more numerous
(Concluded on Page 12. Page 2.)
. i , ;;
Driver, Feeling Structure Give
Way, Jumps 30 Feet to Mud
Flat; Injury Is Slight.
MARSHFIELD. Or.. Dec. 17. (Spe
cial.) A 20-foot trestle over which
coal from the Llbby mine had been
delivered for a period of from 25 to
30 years went down today with a
locomotive and three cars of coal, at
a point opposie Englewood, and En
gineer Enoch Holland, the only per
son on board, escaped with only a few
bruises.
A3 the train moved from solid
ground on to the trestle. Engineer
Holland felt the structure giving
away and Jumped to the opposite side
on which the engine and cars fell
He struck a support and landed about
30 feet from the trestle on a mud flat.
The engine and two cars went into
the marsh and the boiler of the en
gine exploded. Mr. Holland had been
engineer on the train for nearly 20
years.
The property belongs to the Rey
nolds Development company, but is
operated by George Drfll.
U. S. MAY SELL BUILDINGS
BUI for Disposal of Many War
Structures Passes House. '
WASHINGTON. Dec. 17. Without a
dissenting vote the house passed and
sent to the senate today a bill order
ing the sale of housing facilities
erected by the government during the
war to relieve congestion In many
industrial centers. The measure also
abolishes the United States housing
bureau, transferring the properties to
the treasury for sale to private per
sons. Debate on the measure centered
largely in an attack on the housing
bureau. Charges of profligate ex
penditure of government funds were
made, and assertion was made that
the senate public buildings commit
tee was investigating with a view to
determining where it should recom
rrtnd prosecutions by the department
of justice.
PYTHIANS TO MEET CHEF
Supreme Chancellor to-Attend Con
rention Opening Today.
THE DALLES. Or.. Dec. 17. (Spe
cial.) The 20th annual district con
vention of the Knights of Pythias
will oplti here tomorrow with the of
ficial visit of Charles S. Davis, of
Denver. Colo., supreme chancellor.
The Dalles being the first city to
receive Chancellor Davis In this etate.
He will later pay visits to two other
lodges In Oregon.
Three hundred visiting members
and officers are expected at the con
vention, which covers the counties of
Wasco. Hood River, Sherman and
Gilliam. A class of 125 will be in
itiated. USE OF SWAMPS PRESSED
Oregon Delegation Asks Klamath
Project for Soldiers.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 17. Utilization
of 10.000 acres of government-owned
swamp land near Klamath lake. Ore
gon, as a soldier's settlement project
was urged by the Oregon delegation
in the house at a conference today
with Secretary Lane.
The government now Is negotiating
a contract with private Interests to
reclaim the land and secure its use
for 80 years.
FARMER: "NO USE OF TALKING, SAM, THEY WONT HITCH.'
Telegram Demands Assignment ol
Experienced Railroad Man to
Handle Coast Traffic. '
SEATTLE, Wash., Dec. 17. Tele
grams alleging that a car shortage
has rendered the "Pacific northwest
lumber Industry "practically pros
trate" and unable to handle the "heav
iest volume of the most attractive
business ever offered" were sent by
the West Coast Lumbermen's associa
tion of Seattle today to Secretary
Tumulty, the Oregort and Washing
ton members of congress and Wash
ington (D. C.) 'officials of the United
States railroad administration.
Approximately 30 large - mills in
Oregon and Washington haye been
forced by the car shortage to close
down, according to reports reaching
the association headquarters here.
Mills are closed at Everett. Eugene,
Bellingham. Astoria, Brighton, Albany,
Hoquiam, Falls City and other points,
the association has announced.
The telegrams asked "that If the
roads are to continue under govern
ment control that there be some per
son in the car service department at
Washington, D. C. who has a knowl
edge of the traffic problems of this
section or who will at least pay at
tention to the suggestionsa and rec
ommendations of the railroad men ot
this region who have made them
selves proficient in the handling of
the northwest traffic affairs by years
of daily contact, study and experi
ence."
HUNTER SHOT FOR CAT
Companion of A. II. Janes Fires at
Bushes, Kills Friend.
PENDLETON. Or.. Dec. 17. (Spe
cial.) Ashley H. Janes, 25, rancher
of the southern end of the county,
was shot fatally yesterday by his
hunting companion, Edward Warner,
according to word which reached here
today.
The two men, both experienced
woodsmen and hunters, were out
searching for a bobcat which had
been making inroads in their stock.
According to the report here, on the
way back, Warner fired into a clump
of moving bushes, the shot striking
Janes 'who died instanly.
Janes leaves a father and five
sisters.
FAMOUS LIBRETTIST-DIES
Lugui II Ilea, Who Developed
"Madame Butterfly," Passes.
ROME, Dec. 17. Lugui Illica, Italy's
foremost grand opera librettist, died
today. In all he gave the words to
50 operas, including works by Puc
cini. Mascasnl, Cilea, Giordano and
I Franchetti. The libretto of Mascagni's
I "Iris" and Puccini's "La Boheme'
I were written by Illica. who also, aid
I ea by liiacosa. developed tne liDretto
of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly."
Illica had been 111 for several years
and unable to write.
GERMANY EXPECTS CLASH
Possibility of Revolutionary Ris
lugs Seen by Minister.
BERLIN, Dec. 16. Dr. Karl W. W,
Heine. Prussian minister of the in
terior, declared In the Prussian Na
tional assembly today:
"We must reckon with the possl
bility of revolutionary risings thi
winter. We know how to deal with
them."
Game Commission Acts
Because of Friction.
OFFICE IS DECLARED VACANT
Attempts to Bring Harmony
Repeatedly Fail.
AD CLUB VOICES PROTEST
Naturalist Asserts Proposal to Sub
mit Resignation Blocked; Trou
ble Is of Long Standing.
William L. Finley has been removed
as state biologist of, the Oregon fish
and game commission. This action
was taken at a meeting of the com
mission held in Portland December 11,
but was not made public until yester
day. Mr. Finley was removed from of
fice, it is announced, because he was
Unable to work In harmony with
members of the commission. The
statement Is made also that he was
to have been given an opportunity to
resign had he so desired, but this he
failed or declined to do. The office
of state biologist has been declared
vacant, effective December 31.
Mr. Finiey last night protested that
he had been dismissed without a hear
ing. The Portland Ad club at its
meeting yesterday passed a vote of
protest against the action of the com
mission and telegraphed Governor
Olcott to that effect.
Lack of harmony Is given as the
sole reason for Mr: Finley's removal,
In an official statement issued yes
terday "by F. M. Brown, secretary ot
the commission, and written under
the direction of the commission.
Office Declared Vacant.
"At a meeting of the fish and game
commission held December 11, ad
journed from Dc-iember 10, Commis
Blone'rJack brought up the subject of
State Biologist Finley continuing in
service, a matter whiciv.had been un
der consideration for some time."
reads the o-flclal statement. "It was
unanimously voted that owing to the
Inability of Mr. Finley harmoniously
to co-ordinate his ideas and work
with the idaaa and policy of the board
that the office be declared vacant
January 1. 1920.
"Messrs. Flelschner and Jack desig
nated a committee to consider the ad
visability of filling the office.
"It was also voted that Commis
sioner Stone and Governor Olcott be
advised of the action and that they
be requested to express their senti
ments for record. This was done.
The action taken was ' approved by
them, the board being in full accord
In the matter.
Lack of Harmony Kenrretted.
"When Mr. Finley was notified of
the attitude of the board he requested
that he be given an opportunity to
resign. All the members agreed to
this course except Mr. Jack, who lias
not yet been heard from. This agree
ment of the commissioners was to be
(Concluded on Page 4. Column S.)
Defense Scores Foster-Fatlicr of
Deaf and Dumb Girl Alleged
to Have Been Wronged.
TACOMA, Wash., Dec. 17. Minnie
E. Billings, widow of Orville Billings.
Tacoma capitalist and politician, won
her suit In the federal court here to
day, when a jury brought a verdict
in her favor for $15,000 which Mrs.
Billings was attempting to collect
from a life insurance company.
The jury was out but a few min
utes and its finding is taken also as
a verdict that Billings did not com
mit suicide is contended by attorneys
for the Insurance company, but met
death through the accidental dis
charge of his own revolver.
The case has been on trial here for
two days following a recess of several
weeks due to a Juror's illness, and has
excited considerable interest, as Bill
ings was widely known in the Pacific
northwest.
Exhaustive evidence was presented
by both sides and the defense in at
tempting to prove its suicide allega
tion dragged into the case a criminal
action which was to have come up
for trial in Seattle the day after Bill
ings died.
Counsel for Mrs. Billings in closing
his argument bitterly scored W. H.
Utter, foster-father of the deaf and
dumb girl who It was alleged had
been wronged by Billings. The de
fense argued that It was this im
pending action'whlch had caused Bill
ings to take his own life April 22.
1919.
ARMY SHELLS EXPLODE
Northern New Jersey Shaken; Ar-
senal Takes Fire.
DOVER. N. J.. Dec. 18. An ex
plosion of loaded ammunition at Pica
tinay arsenal shook northern New
Jersey last night a few minutes be
fore midui'ht. Government officers
at the arsenal telephoned to Dover to
send all available fire apparatus and
a few minutes late wire communi
cation with the arsenal was cut off.
It could not be ascertained if there
was any loss of life. Flames at the
arsenal could be seen for several
miles.
At 1:15 this morning shells were
exploding at frequent intervals in the
burning arsenal. Several hundred
men have been employed at the ar
senal, which has maintained opera
tions since the signing of the ar
mlstice, manufacturing powder.
SEATTLE TO PAD CENSUS
Absentees and Transients to Be
Counted if Chamber Can .Work It.
SEATTLE, Wash., Dec. 17. De
termined to see that every Seattle
resident is counted in the coming
census, chamber of commerce of
flcials today launched a campaign
intended not only to educate the
people how to give the census data
but also to get all residents who may
be leaving Seattle during the first
part of January.
A course in census Information may
be introduced in the schools In order
that parents can be informed. Minis
ters are to be asked to urge their
congregations to assist. Hotel clerks.
ticket sellers and railroad men have
been asked to assist in gathering
the names of .people who leave the
city while the census Is being taken.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERHAVS Maximum temperature,
37 derrrees: minimum, 30 dejerees.
TODAY'S Rain: moderate southeasterly
winds.
National.
Lesion points out war risks failure.
Palte 1.
Secretary Lane's position In Wilson cabinet
admittedly Irksome one. rage 1.
Lanslnx awaltlnc reply from Mexico
Page S.
Early action on treaty is likely, as both
parties express nesire tor com prom ise,
linorltig president. ratte s.
Congress to hold army to 'KO.O0O. Page
Government retention of railroads asked by
delagation of labor ana larmers. rise l
Publishers urged to make 10 per cent cu
in consumption of paper. Page S.
Iomettic.
United States court starts Investigation of
alleged coal mine conspiracy. fage o.
Taert?eTf Is opposed by "good governmen
league." Page 2.
Pacific Northwest.
Northwest lumbermen protest against car
shortage. Page 1.
Coos trestle falls: engineer saved. Page 1
Mrs. Billings wins $13,000 Tacoma suit.
Pare 1.
Oregon property valued at nearly billion.
Page 8.
Chenoweth release to be recommended to
Historic structure at Willamette university
almost tota.iy owinijto uj .
Page 12.
Waahlngton action on prohibition amend
men l a tanas. nn
Sports.
Oregon football squad to leave for Pasa
dena toaay. i-
McCredle goes on with 1920 plans. Page 18.
Swimming center may be transferred to
Vancouver, n. v.. rig- ip.
Commercial and Marine.
Potatoes In northwest severely damage
by cold wave. Page 23.
Corn higher at Chicago, owing to advance
In sterling exenange. fage z.j.
Coast guard cutter batters way through Ice
pack tor Kose i.iiy ana turscao, wnic
arrive in stream, rage m.
Portland and Vicinity.
Woman, charged with robbery, defies own
lawyer and judge. Page Ii.
Apartment house manager killed by elec
trocution. Page I.
Lucas' "psychology" denounced as bogus by
Oregon university educator, fage 10.
Old world wags on, despite Porta'a "bump-
off" prophecy. Page 10.
W. L. Finley removed as state biologist
Page 1.
Lumbermen act to aid ex-aervlce men.
Page 19.
Santa Claus' candy supply this year will be
limited one. Page li.
Leonard Wood presidential campaign I
launched by Oregon supporters. Page.
Speedy Action by Con
gress Is Demanded.
SPECIFIC NEEDS SET FORTH
Passage of Watson and
Sweet Bills Desired.
FULL POWER TO BE USED
Bureau Chiefs Are Questioned, and
Told Present Care of Disabled
Is Not Satisfactory.
WASHINGTON'. Dec. 17. Speedy av
ion was demanded in congress on all
matters affecting- the government's
dealings with former service men. In
resolutions adopted tonight by na-
ional and" state offices of the Ameri
can Legion at the conclusion of -
hree-day conference with officials bf
he war risk Insurance bureau. The
resolutions also warned congress of
he imperative necessity of providing
relief for men who have met with in-
ustice through the Inadequacy of
laws under which the present Insur
ance and compensation regulations
are administered.
Throughout the afternoon' session
an evident spirit of concern was evi
denced that"' the legion's power must
be exerted if the nation is not to
undergo again the burden of pension
payments. The pension system was
characterized as unnecessary and un
just, and as adding a burden on the
coming generation which the tax
payer's of these years should shoulder.
Specific Complaints Made.
Brigadier-General Lord, director of
finance of the war department; V. M.
Lamkin, chief of the rehabilitation di
vision of the federal board for voca
tional education, and Surgeon Lavln-
cer, representing the public health
service, appeared and were questioned
closely in regard to the activities of
their departments. Specific cases
were employed In rapid succession by
the legion delegates in developing
compla-ints of inefficiency and illus
tration of changes in administrative
practice requested by the former serv
ice men.
Franklin D'Olier. grand commander.
assured government officials the
legion had no- specific complaint
against them, but that such must not
be interpreted to mean the legion did
not recognize failure on the part of
the war risk bureau, the public health
service and the vocational education
board "to function satisfactorily."
At the conclusion of the discussion.
delegates summed up their views of
needs for the former service men, as
demonstrated by their study 'of the
situation as follows:
Paaaage of Bills Asked.
"The Watson and Sweet bills should
he passed by congress forthwith.
"The bureau of war risk Insurance,
federal board for vocational educa
tion and the public health service
especially the sections of the two lat
ter agencies dealing with ex-service
men should be combined under a
single head, and one representative
of the unified agency should be
placed in each state.
"The following modifications re
garding insurance should be adopted:
"Premiums should be payable .
through the local post off ices. Re
strictions based on relationship of
beneficiaries should be removed. The
amount of the Insurance under both
term and converted policies should be
payable at the option of the appli
cant in a lump sum or otherwise, and
If the applicant has exercised no
option, then at the option of the bene
ficiary. A partial disability benefit
should be paid under all policies.
Disabled Provided For.
"That all disabled persons having
war risk insurance while in the hos
pitals, or while receiving benefits un
der the war risk Insurance act, or
while training, should have the pay
ment of all Insurance premiums re
mitted during the continuance of their
disability and training, and that all
forms used should be simplified.
"All men receiving vocational
training should have their mainte
nance pay in full and a vocational
training official should be perma
nently stationed at every hospital
where disabled ex-service persons are
being cared for, to give personal and
Individual information. Immediate
and adequate steps should be taken
to reach all persons at present en
titled .to vocational training and not
receiving it, and to acquaint them
fully with their rights and to give
training to all who are entitled to
it; recreational features should be
added to the vocational training pro
gramme. "Substantial increases in all pres
ent rates should be granted. Im
mediate liberal and effective action
should be taken on all claims.
"Persons suffering from tubercu
losis should be considered as totally
disabled during the continuance of
the disease and as compensable ac
cordingly. "Hospital facilities at present pro
vided are inadequate and congress
should make a far more liberal pro
vision for same."
WASHINGTON. Dec IT. FTanklin
D'Olier, grand commander of the
American Legion, made public tonight
(Concluded on Faga 2, Column 1.)
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