New-York tribune., 1919-11-12
Demands Withdrawal of
Citizenship From Member
of Congress Convicted of
Violating Espionage Act
Voigt Also Is Assailed
Cleveland Gets Next Con-
vention and Indianapolis
National Headquarters
staff Correspondence

Staff Correspondence
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 11.-Fighting
men of America, represented by the
delegates to the first annual conven-
ton of the American Legion in session
here to-day, adopted a resolution
amid tumult of approval, calling up
on the Federal authorities to cancel
the citizenship papers of Victor
berger. representative from Wisconsin,
and to bring about his deportation.
The resolution, which was framed
ana unanimously approved by the
ntl-Amerlcan propaganda committee
of the convention read:
Whereas, Victor Berger has been
duly tried and convicted of crime
involving moral turpitude and dislov-
atty to our country. therefore be it
Resolved. That the American Le-
demands that the proper authorities
take all legal steps to cancel his cit
1zenship papers and bring about his
deportation"
Would Investigate Voigt
Another resolution, demanding the
expulsion from Congress Of Repre-
sentative Edward Voigt, Rcpr blican of
Wisconsin, for his attitude ward the
Berger issue. was tabled, and the con-
ventlon voted to recommend to Con-
gress that Voigt's record be investi-
gated by committee Of his colleagues.
The convention voted to hold next
years convention at Cleveland. Ind
annapolis was chosen for the location
OF permanent nationa' headqua rters
Greetings from General Pershing
were read to the convention by Henry
d. Lindsey, chairman. The message
said:
"On this first anniversary of Armis-
tlce Day my best wishes go cut to the
delegates of the first convention of the
American Legion. May the same pa
were inspired as soldiers in the great
war guide and direct your delbera-
tons in this convention.
"PERsHING."
Committee Recommendations
Pecomm endations by committees to-
Gay included;
That the national commander ap-
point committee on LEGISLATION to rep
resent the Legion in Washington for
the furtherance of the legislative pro-
gram of the organization,
That national dues be increased to
support The American Legion Weekly"
That membership be extended to
state troops and others not federalized,
as well as to auxiliaries composed of
women relatives of veterans. The Star
Service Legion, an amalgamation of
women's war work societies compris-
ing relatives Of veterans, urged their
desire to affiliate with the American
Legion.
The report Of the eligibility commit
zee awakened a storm OF opposition
when it proposed that q veteran OF the
Allied armies must be citizen of the
united States TO make application for
membership in the American Legion
9he New York delegation, headed by
Colonel William Donovan. voted solidly
against the proposal, insisting that a
declaration OF intention to become a
citizen should be sufficient guarantee
of mans loyalty to make him eligible
TO membership.
Defeated 400 to 2S4
The proposition was finally voted
down, 400 to 284. Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and Connecticut supported it
and Rhode Island and Massachusetts
lNdorsed the New York attitude. The
report finally was returned to the con-
nittee for further action and it is
believed the New York dclcgation's
point Of view Will be embodied in
Subsequent report to the convention
The introduction Of a committee report
proposing that any member holding
at elective public Office be ineligible
20 hold office in the American Legion
produced an apparently hopeless
tengle, but after considerable debate
the report was adopted 500 to 1873 and
the report will become part Of the
legion's constitution. The New York
delegation split on the vote, 81 dele
gates supporting the proposal and 1s
opposing it.
Charge "Steam Roller" Tactics
Pennsylvania delegates accused
Henry d. Lindsey, the chairman. of