New-York tribune., 1919-05-10
Legion Rejects
Chicago; Mayor
Hotly Rebuked
Minneapolis Chosen for Next
Convention as Attack
on Thompson's Record
Forces Windy City Out
Staff Correspondence

Staff Correspondence
ST. LOUIS, May 9-The American
Legion at it's second session here to-
day administered rebuke to Mayor
William Hale Thompson of Chicago by
turning down the invitation of Chicago
to meet there in November.
Colonel John F. J. Herbert, COM
mander of the 102d Field Artillery of
the 26th (Yankee) Division, said that
by the election of Mayor Thompson
Chicago had reached the standard of
the most despised city in the nation,
and that until it had regained 100 per
cent Americanism the American Legion
could not go there with self-respect.
The convention also refused to seat
/ Sergeant Curtis, Of Seattle, represent
ing the Soldiers and. Sailors Council
Of Washington, on the ground that his
organization was inimical TO the
United. States.
The attack on Mayor Thompson came
when, in reporting the place for hold
ing the convention in November, the
chairman said the committee on selec-
ton was unanimous in favor of Chi
cago.
Rebukes Mayor Thompson
Colonel Herbert, of Massachusetts,
formerly managing editor of "The
Worcester Evening Post" took the
| floor and said
| "As spokesman for the Massachu
setts delegation, want to say that if
no other body wants to rebuke any
city or it's representative for un-Ameri-
canism when the soldiers Of that city
we're Offering their lives in defence Of
the word, then Massachusetts stands
ready to offer that rebuke. Massachu-
setts will not agree willingly to having
a convention Of soldiers go to a city
that has as its first citizen by vote, one
who cannot measure up in any small
part when the test is 100 per cent
Americanism.
"The hall has been placarded with
invitations, The American Legion, Chi
cago wants you in November If these
placards read, American Legion, Chi.
cago soldiers want you in November
our answer might be different. The
answer of Massachusetts would be diff
ferent. But when your placard reads,
Chicago wants you in November the
answer of Massachusetts is, Chicago
cannot have us in November any
other time until Chicago has an Ameri-
can for Mayor in an American city.
Causes Near Riot
"The literature circulated through
the convention reads: Chicago pledges
itself TO go any other city one better
on anything this convention requires.
This convention first requires that Chi
/ cago shall reach a standard different
| from the standard of being the most
despised city in America and when 1T
has reached that standard, it is then in
position to say whether it can go one
! better. 1t has not yet reached par
Until Chicago reaches par, Massachu-
/ setts votes, No"
| This declaration caused a near riot
Large banners booming Chicago as the
the walls and boxes, and for ten min
/ utes it was pandemonium.
/ Major John p. Cummings, of Chi
cago, replying to Colonel Horbcrt's at
tack, said:
"Gentlemen don't believe there is
a single delegate to this caucus who
patriotism OF 650,000 men who rallied
to>the colors OF this country by saying,
because Chicago had Mayor Of
which they arc all ashamed that they
are no. patriotic. Had the men who
were serving the colors in France been
in Chicago, they would have had no
apology 70 offer for their Mayor. ] am
saying that In tho invitation that was
extended 20 you that we arc speaking
for the boys of Khaki and blue who
rallied to the colors from Illinois and
who are here to-day. extending the In
vitation to you notwithstanding the
fact that we are cursed by Mayor
| who 10 not our choice. We would
throw him out II we had the chance,
| but ws arc extending the invitation to
you on behalf Of 100000 men from I'LL
/ M is.'
| On the frst rollcall Chicago trsiled
Minneapolis ard Pittsburgh as tho
next convention city. Then Chicago
was dropped out Of the race, and on
! the second ballot the vote stood Min
neapoIs SOB. Pittsburgh 478. The New
York delegation backed the loser on the
second ballot
The isgion plans to get through with
its work tomorrow.