Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-11-13
Philadelphia Soldier Chosen AS
Head of American Legion
Convention at Minneapolis
Comes to a Close
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
Il IL voted 10 Have Conxrcss Consider
AJvfsabui,y Of Approving Further
bonuses For Service Mcn---Next Com
vcntiou NJ Cleveland

Minneapolis Nov. 12.--The brst annual
roavcntion of the American Legion came
10 close at 9:3o O'Clock tonight. II
was decided to open the 1920 convention
at Cleveland, Ohio. on September y. The
convention probably will last three days.
The convention tonight elected Frank
lin D'Olier of Philadelphia as Its first
national commander and voted to have
congress consider the advisabllty OF APP
proving further bonuses for service men.
The Rev. Francis A. Kelley Of Troy
N. y. was elected national chaplain.
D'Olier was the first candidate to be
dominated. He was named by the
Arkansas delegation. California passed
its nominating right to New York and
Stuyvesant Fish placed the name Of Han
ford Macnider of Mason City, Iowa, be-
fore the convention The Virginia dele-
cation nominated Leslie Jones of WASH
ington, y. c., and Kentucky named
Emmett O'Nel of Louisville Jack Suli-
van Of Seattle, who was nominated by
the North Dakota delegates, withdrew
from the race, as did Chairman Henry
u. Lindsey of Dallas, nominated by the
Texas delegation. The vote was: D'Olicr
5eG; Macnider 249; Jones IS; O'Neil ls
The title of the past national com
mander was conferred upon Mr.. Lindsey.
since the meeting at ST. Louis last spring
Election Of the national commander
followed a turbulent afternoon when q
mass of resolutions ani reports. incud-
ing the soldier bonus issue were consid-
cred. The convention for time seemed
sharply split on the proposal to indorse
. specific bonus plan and finally voted
TO place the matter in the hands Of the
national Senate and House of Repre-
senta uves.
Representative Royal c, Johnson Of
Aberdeen, South Dakota. who served in
France, supplied the inspiration which
decided the bonus issue. Called to the
convention stage he urged tho delegates
to ask Congress ;to recognize and re-
lieve the financial disadvantages" incur
red by persons who made sacrifices 10
serve their country. Former Senator
Luke Lea Of Tennessee chairman of the
bonus committee. formally put this reso-
luton before the convention and it was
passed by tremendous viva voce vote.
a broad variety of subjects includ-
.iDE-the Centralia. Wash. tragedy, in
Ihustral unrest and the national nom
partisan League We're touched on this
afternoon. Delegates from northwes-
tern states drew up a resolution as
Failing the activities of President A.
:
but it was tabled by a vote of the con-
ventiou.
Commander D'Olier issued the fol-
lowing statement shortly after his
election:
The American Legion has an enor-
nous amount of constructive work be-
fore ii in the coming year. but the
spirit of clear thinking, fair play and
cooperation manifested so wonderfully
throughout this convention leaves no
doubt in my mind that We shall be able
TO accomplish during the coming year
just as remarkable results for our
country did in such a compare
lively short time in effecting the utter
defeat of the enemy.
every acton of the convention was
discussed carefully and in every in
stance the soundest possible judge
ment prevailed. There was only one
thought of every delegate present and
that was to do what was best for this
country Of ours, for which only 80 re-
Gently we were willing to give our
ALI"
Declarations placing the American
Legion on record against anti-Amer-
ican propaganda, and activities were
adopted at the Legion convention here
this morning. The resolution in
cluded:
Demanding adoption OF federal
constitutional amendment barring
from citizenship the American born
children of Orientals and others NOT
eligible for citizenship
Demanding deportation OF alien
slackers and enemy aliens interned
during the war, with selective admis-
aion OF foreigners.
Authorizing appointment OF legion
committee to spread the teaching OF
the Legions doctrine of 100 per cent
hmericanism," among veterans of the
war and aliens in this country
Demanding a Change In the depart-
'rent of justice from a passive organlza-
ton to an active branch whose findings
will be promptly acted upon by the execu-
tive authority.
Opposition 70 release of political pris-
oners" to show that there Is no home
IN America for sedition."
Opposition to organization of societies
for relief of civilian population of Ger
many. Austria and Hungary unless these
societies be approved by Congress.
Leonard Wilmington Of Hawaii former
Harvard football star, was author of the
Americansm program adopted by the con-
vention as the chief resolution to COM
bat anti-Americanism propaganda by
teaching American ideals.
Tho convention asked that war depart
ment officials responsible for tender treat
nent of conscientious objectors, who were
aliens, be summarily dealt with"