J. West Chapman, department commander of Kansas. Oscar E. Kilstrom, past department commander of Michigan. W. L. Mattocks, past department commander of the District of Columbia. Harry M. Wurzbach, department of Texas. Wilhelmina K. Borgmeier, president general, auxiliary. Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee, past president, National Spanish War Nurses. A series of meetings were held while the members were in Washington, and in intervals the members interviewed their Congressmen and Senators, strongly urging that some action be taken on the Knutson bill, but without avail. The assurance, however, was given to all of us that if a proper bill was presented at the next long session it would undoubtedly have the favorable consideration of Congress. Shortly after the adjournment of the sessions of the legislative committee information was brought to you which led you to believe that while there was no possibility of the passage of the Knutson bill, there was a strong possibility of a modified joint bill sponsored by Senator Bursum of New Mexico, chairman of the Senate Committee on Pensions, if the members of all organizations would get behind it and urge its passage. I, together with other members of the legislative committee and department commanders, felt that under the circumstances this was the best move we could make, and voted to shift our position. The results of this effort were negligible as to legislation secured but undoubtedly were extremely beneficial in keeping our cause before Congress and the country, and in upholding the morale of the organization, and I firmly believe the effort made will demonstrate its value when our fight for justice is renewed this winter. Without attempting in any manner to quote the President or leading Members of Congress or even to express their views, I have no hesitancy in saying that if our status is not materially changed and a bill is presented covering proper pension relief for the Spanish War Veterans and their widows, it will pass and have the approval of the Chief Executive. From my discussion with Members of Congress and others I am convinced that each military organization can fare better by sponsoring a separate bill. By this arrangement it is not expected that there shall be any contest between organizations, but that each organization will have a full understanding of the purposes of the other organizations, and whenever and wherever possible, lend a hand to help their situation. Each organization, however, should strive primarily for its own relief. I have nothing further to report except to offer such assistance as I may be able to give to secure the passage of a pension bill that may be sponsored by our organization at the next Congress. Yours in F. P. and H., CARMI A. THOMPSON, Chairman Legislative Committee. Commander in Chief HERRICK. Is Senior Vice Commander in Chief Brant or Junior Vice Commander in Chief Dodds present now? If either is, will he please come to the platform? Comrade L. D. MAHONE (Oregon). I move, comrade Commander in Chief, that the report of the commander in chief be referred to the resolutions committee and also to the committee on enactment. Commander in Chief HERRICK. I was trying to get the senior vice commander in chief or the junior vice commander in chief to the platform but in view of the fact that this motion has been put before either arrived here, I will ask if there is a second? Comrade H. R. PAYNE (Florida). I second the motion. Commander in Chief HERRICK. Would it do any harm if the motion were that the report be referred to the resolutions committee for such resolutions as may be necessary, and could there be included in that motion that the reports of all the other officers, being considered as read, be likewise referred? Comrade W. D. MAHONE (Oregon). I think we should accept the report and submit it. Commander in Chief HERRICK. The motion is that these reports be accepted and that they be referred to the resolutions committee and the enactment committee for such resolutions and action as needs to be taken. Comrade PAUL STOBBE (New York). I have not received a copy of any of these reports. It is customary that we receive copies of these reports. How can we act on a report that has not been submitted? Commander in Chief HERRICK. If you feel it is necessary to wait until you have read the reports and if enough vote with you, we will do so; but we were going to distribute these right after the session. Comrade STOBBE (New York). That is the information I desired. It is my privilege to ask for the report. The regulations provide that the reports be printed and in the hands of the comrades. I think we are justified in asking the question. Commander in Chief HERRICK. Is there further discussion? Are you ready for the question? All in favor of it will say "Aye "; all opposed "No." The "Ayes" have it, and it is so directed. Comrades, have all the commanders that desire to submitted names for appointment on the committees, I want to have your departments represented if possible. I think these committees must be appointed before we adjourn at this time. While we are waiting for those departments who have not yet submitted names, I will ask the reading clerk to make certain announcements and to read to the encampment the names of those comrades for whom there are telegrams and letters on the adjutant general's desk. (The reading clerk made the desired announcements.) Commander in Chief HERRICK. There have been received several communications directed to the twenty-seventh national encampment which I will now request the reading clerk to read to the encampment. (The reading clerk read the following communications to the encampment:) COMMUNICATION FROM HIS EXCELLENCY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, CALVIN COOLIDGE THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, D. C., September 11, 1925. MY DEAR COMMANDER HERRICK: The gratification with which I received the invitation of the United Spanish War Veterans to attend their reunion this year is necessarily marred by reason of my inability to accept it. The Nation, it has always seemed to me, owes a dual debt of gratitude to the men whom your organization represents. Their devotion to their country moved them to engage in a service which not only resulted in a splendid victory in a foreign war but which served the tremendously important purpose of convincing the Nation, after a long interval of unbroken peace, of the necessity for improving and modernizing our entire national defense establishment. The lesson was impressed by much cost and by the sacrifice made by the men who entered the national forces; and because of those sufferings, as well as their splendid military performance, we are particularly obliged, as a Nation, to hold them always in the highest esteem and gratitude. The tragic losses in life and health which marked the war with Spain were not due to the enemy but to the lack of scientific knowledge of how to meet the sanitary problems of war which we have since solved. It was the sufferings of your comrades that hastened the remedy. It is altogether due that this special acknowledgment be made to the splendid body of men who not only gave so much in war but have performed so well the duties of American citizens since that war. Theirs has been a high and noble example. So I send my greetings, acknowledgments, and best wishes, in which I know that I speak the sentiments of the entire Nation. Most sincerely yours, CALVIN COOLIDGE. COMMUNICATION FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, CHARLES G. DAWES CHICAGO, ILL., August 29, 1925. MY DEAR MR. HERRICK: I have your letter of August 25, extending me an invitation to address the Twenty-seventh National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans, at St. Petersburg, Fla., during the month of September, and it is with sincere regret that I find that my plans will not permit me to accept. With best regards, I am Very sincerely yours, CHARLES G. DAWES. COMMUNICATION FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, JOHN W. WEEKS WASHINGTON, D. C., August 26, 1925. DEAR MR. HERRICK: I regret that owing to the illness of the Secretary of War it will be impossible for him to personally dictate a reply to your letter inviting him to attend the Twenty-seventh National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans, to be held in St. Petersburg, Fla., on September 28 to October 1, 1925. I shall be glad to call your cordial invitation to Mr. Weeks's personal attention upon his return to Washington and I am sure he will be appreciative of your thoughtfulness in sending it to him, but I am quite sure that he will not be in a position to attend your encampment. Very truly yours, JOHN W. MARTYN, Secretary to the Secretary of War. COMMUNICATION FROM THE DIRECTOR UNITED STATES VETERANS' BUREAU, Frank T. HINES WASHINGTON, D. C., September 26, 1925. MY DEAR COMMANDER HERRICK: Your letter of August 28, inviting me to attend the Twenty-seventh National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans was handed to me upon my return from an extended trip through the West. Greatly as I should enjoy such a reunion with old comrades, I find with much regret that previous engagements necessitate my declining your invitation, but I hope you will convey to the encampment my greetings and best wishes, assuring them of my continued interest in all that pertains to their welfare and contentment. It has been a source of such gratification to me that under amendatory legislation we have been able to extend to the Spanish War veterans a measure of the relief and aid which has heretofore been necessarily confined only to veterans of the World War, and the fact that I have been charged with the responsibility for rendering this service makes an additional bond of comradeship and sympathy between us. I am returning herewith the railroad certificate you so courteously sent me and once again I thank you for your kind invitation. Very sincerely yours, FRANK T. HINES, Director United States Veterans' Bureau. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, HAROLD KNUTSON WASHINGTON, D. C., September 9, 1925. DEAR MR. HERRICK: Permit me to acknowledge receipt of and thank you for your letter of August 25, extending me an invitation to attend the Twentyseventh National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans, to be held at St. Petersburg, Fla., September 25 to October 1, 1925. I regret very much to advise that I will be unable to attend, as I will be in Minnesota on that date. Very sincerely yours, HAROLD KNUTSON. COMMUNICATION FROM COMMITTEE ON WORLD WAR VETERANS' LEGISLATION~ ROYAL C. JOHNSON WASHINGTON, D. C., January 7, 1925. MY DEAR COMMANDER: I certainly appreciate your kind invitation to be present at the Twenty-seventh National Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans. If it were possible for me to be present I certainly should be there to again express to the organization the feeling of comradeship that the veterans of the late war maintain toward their comrades of the Spanish-American War. Like you, we feel that the veterans of all wars should be treated with absolute equality and all disabled protected by the Government for which they fought. Will you give greetings from the Committee on Veterans' Legislation to your comrades and if possible I shall try to have some member of the committee present with you to represent us? Sincerely yours, ROYAL C. JOHNSON. COMMUNICATION FROM PAST CHAPLAIN IN CHIEF ROBERT ARTHUR ELWOOD ABSECON, N. J., September 21, 1925. DEAR COMRADE: Please convey to the convention my hearties greetings and best wishes. God bless you all, and let us work more earnestly to make the United Spanish War Veterans greater than ever. Cordially, ROBERT ARTHUR ELWOOD. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR OF DES MOINES, IOWA, CAL M. GARVER CHAUNCEY W. HERRICK: DES MOINES, Iowa, September 23, 1925. As chief executive, I wish to extend to the United Spanish War Veterans the most cordial invitation of the city council to hold your 1926 national encampment in Des Moines, and hope you will accept. CAL M. GARVER. COMMUNICATION FROM PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER OF IOWA JOHN BOELLER WATERLOO, Iowa, September 26, 1925. National Headquarters, United Spanish War Veterans: Greetings from Iowa to the officers and comrades assembled at their Twentyseventh National Encampment United Spanish War Veterans. Sorry I am unable to be with you this year. Wishing the encampment a grand success, and your vote for the 1926 national encampment for Iowa, which will be a personal favor. Yours in F., P. and H. JOHN BOELLER. COMMUNICATION FROM FANNIE GUNTHER LOS ANGELES, CALIF., September 27, 1925 National Headquarters, United Spanish War Veterans: To the twenty-seventh national convention, greetings, and wishing you a most successful convention. FANNIE GUNTHER. COMMUNICATION FROM THERESA ERICKSON ST. PAUL, MINN., September 26, 1925. C. W. HERRICK, United Spanish War Veterans' Headquarters: Greeting and felicitations, hoping for you the finest encampment ever. Twenty-seven years have passed since we volunteered to Uncle Sam; we proved ourselves such good children that we were forgotten. It is now time for us to remind uncle that we are alive. We nurses appreciate your friendship. Fraternaly yours, THERESA ERICKSON. COMMUNICATION FROM I. J. FLANDERS SIOUX FALLS, S. DAK., September 26, 1925. CHAUNCEY W. HERRICK: Department of South Dakota send greetings and best wishes for a successful encampment. Regret that I am unable to be with you. Yours in F., P., and H., I. J. FLANDERS. COMMUNICATION FROM PAST COMMANDER IN CHIEF J. K. WITHERSPOON CHAUNCEY W. HERRICK: SEATTLE, WASH., September 27, 1925. My best wishes to you, commander, and to the delegates assembled for the annual encampment. May your deliberations bring great good to our organization. I deeply regret at not being able to be with you. Good luck to you all. J. K. WITHERSPOON. COMMUNICATION FROM BRENT MCCLAIN CAMP, No. 23 CHAUNCEY W. HERRICK: LEBANON, TENN., September 27, 1925. Comrades, greetings and best wishes from Lebanon, Tenn. May we not ask that you include in your legislative program "that all Spanish war veterans in the civil service be allowed credit for the time served in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps." Yours in F. P. and H., 77342-26- -12 LEWIS K. GRIGSBY, Adjutant, Brent McClain Camp, No. 23. |