The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-12-30
aEIBTzfLMAN POST
MAKING MANY PLANS
Special Committees Report.
ed at Meeting Held
Yesterday.

Honor certificates will be given by
the French government to surviving
relatives OF all American soldiers who
died IN service during the Great War
This was one OF the messages brought
to a special meeting Of the American
Legion held last night by Major Earl
H. Smith. State Commander. Another
bit Of good news was furnished by Ma
jor Smith when he reported that the
Sweet bill providing for immediate
payment Of war risk insurance in larg'
CT amounts or lump sum II necessary
to the benefidarfes instead OF in lit
tie drl5S extending over period OF q
dozen years as first intended.
A letter from Franklin D'olier, Ma
tlonal Commander of the American LIE
gion, regarding the action OF the
French government read, in part, as
follows:
The French High Commission at the
direction of the French Government
has prepared engraved certificates
which are being made ready for pre-
seHtation under the auspices Of The
American Legion with the assistance
of the United States Army to the near
est relatives Of each Soldier, Sailor or
Marine who died during the Great
War. To this end the National Com
mander of The American Legion has
made arrangements with the Adjutant
General of the Army regarding the
distribution Of these certificates, and
has formulated the following plan.
The presentation of these certit-
Gates will be made on Washington's
Birthday, February %, 1920. In all
cities and towns where there is a post
Of the American Legion this testimo-
NAL of appreciation from the French
government will be presented, where
ever possible, through such local Amer
lean Legion posts.
AS soon as possible, approximately
$4,000 certificates Will be forwarded
to the Recruiting Officers throughout
the United States. These Recruiting
Officers will be instructed by The
Adjutant General to notify the State
Commanders OF The American Legion
that the certificates are in their hands
Immediately upon notification the
State Commanders should get in touch
with the various Recruiting Officers
in order to provide local machinery
for distribution.
A special committee to make ar
rangements for the meeting to be held
on Washingtons' birthday was appoint
ed, consisting of the following men,
bers: DR.. C. H. Layman, George NJ.
Alexander, Cecil Mcdonald, of Fair
mont; James Price of Monongah anO
Iyanhoe Arnett, Rivesville, the rela-
tiYes of all men who died in the SER
vice either at home or abroad are urg-
ed to communicate with Post Comman
der Rollo ]. Conley who will be glad to
give further information on the subject
Of the distribution of the honor cerdf-
icates.
Special committees were also ap-
pointed with Instructions to report
Friday night on the proposed member
ship drive and dance which is expect
ed to be held in the near future. The
membership committee is composed
Of Lawrence Cunningham, Charles
Holt, Guy Crigler, Ray Wise apd John
W. Mason. On the dance cOF1mittee
are Kenna Clark, Arthur Fisher, Paul
Shinn, Lyle Watson and George NEGRO
At last nights meeting final action
was also taken on the question of hav.
ing minstrel show staged by the mem
bers of the post. Reno Fleming will
have charge Of the arrangements as
sisted by a committee who have been
working on the project for some time.
The show will BE staged some time
In March.