New-York tribune., 1919-11-13

such move and declared it would
make the Legion's slogan "me and Gott
and country" instead Of "for God and
country the move was defeated and
the report Of the committee on bene-
fetal legislation adopted.
The majority of the convention is
opposed to a cash bonus award. the
sentiment being that Congress can de-
wise some other means of emolument
just as satisfactory to the men and
more beneficial.
Uphclds Law and Order
Though stunned and cmbittercd by
the murder of four legionaires by
radicals in Centralia. Wash, the dele
gates to the convention adhered firmly
to their determination to advocate law
and order and oppose violence. They
confined themselves to expressions of
sympathy to the bereaved families and
q resolution expressing admiration for
thc lawful conduct Of the Centralia
Post of the Legion.
The delegates refused to take sum
mary action demanding redress for the
murders and move made on the
floor of the convention to advise the
local authorities at Centralia was
promptly squelched.
Chairman Lleweyllen. of the Wash
ington State delegation, said tonight
he reflected the sentiment Of the entire
Pacific coast delegation in his conf
drce that constituted authorities would
search out and punish the murderers.
An effort in the late afternoon to in
ject politics into the deliberations Of
the convention met with failure. 1t
came when resolution was offered
! ~. I'll,
eral and A. c. Townley, the founder Of
II was tabled by the delegates without
debate because of its political complex
ion.
New York a Storm Center
The New York delegation was u
storm center this morning when the
only negative vote registered against
a resolution condemnng the War De-
partment for its leniency toward con-
seientious objectors was heard from
that section Of the auditorium.
Delegates leaped to their feet and
demanded that the protestant show
himself, and Colonel William Donovan,
chairman of the New York delegation,
arose and informed the chair that the
voice was not prompted by the spirit
of his comrades and that he was
ashamed OF it. The "otfender" was
Captain a. L. Boyce founder of Boyce S
Tigers and delegate with splendid
war record. He withdrew his vote, and
the resolution was adopted unani-
mously.
Captain Boyce declared he was in
sympathy with the recommendation
but that he cast a negative vote be-
cause he believed the criticism of the
War Department too drastic.
This was not the only demonstration
that found the New York men in the
thick of q fight. The finance commit
majority set the annual dues at 81
Of which only % cents was to go to
the national headquarters and to "Tho
American Legion Weekly" the official
publication of the Legion. The mi
nority contended that 25 cents was not
enough and that 81 should be the sum
making the dues as much more than
that as the respective state organiza-
tons see fit.
Mills Backs Minority
Ogden Mills, of New York, urged
upon the convention the adoption of
the minority report, calling attention
to the Legion's debts and the cost OF
publishing the weekly. He suggested
that if the majority report were
adopted the Legion create a new body
OF Sustaining members" who would
have to pass the same eligibility tests
as those who now are members and
who would contribute SIS each annu-
ally, $3.50 to go to the weekly and
$50 to the national HEADQUARTERS.
This suggestion was howled down
and a vote was taken on motion to
ADOPT the minority report. 1t was de
feated. $50 to $50, on the first ballot
but was carried on a motion to recon
slider. making the dues now approxi-
mately S1.50 year exclusive of the
sustaining fund to be retained by the
respective posts.
a speech by Edward L. Logan, OF
massachusetts,, who supported the ma
jority report. possibly was responsible
to a greater degree than any other
factor for the defeat OF the recon-
mendation for maximum annual dues
OF 81. New York had been divided on
the question and he accused that dele
cation OF having paid up 10000 mem
bers on the last day of the member
ship drive, for the purpose of increas-
ing its voting power. This charge met
with storm of protest and many
states swung their votes Il the minor
ty report as result.
Alien Papers Assailed
A riotous demonstration greeted the
/ introduction OF q resolution with for
eign language newspapers as its target
the most drastic of its kind yet pro