New-York tribune., 1919-11-13
Pennsylvania A. f. +. Vet
eran Elected Commander
in Chief by Vote of 300
to POI Over MacNider
Bonus Put Up to Congress
Convention Stands for Law
and Order in Punishment
of Centralia Murderers
Staff Correspondencc


MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 12.-Frankhn
D'Olier, of Pennsylvania, former lisu-
tenant colonel in the American Expcdi-
tionary Forces, tonight was chosen tc
be the first national commander OF the
American Legion, by vote of 3Gs
against 291 for Hanford MacNider, of
Iowa.
An insurgent movement has arisen
in the ranks of the New York delega-
ton. some members representing the
counties from Yonkers to Poughkeep-
sic having broken from the ranks
under the leadership of Hamilton Fish,
Of Garrison, n. y. Fish placed the
name of MacNider in nomination, de-
spite the fact that the New Workers
were overwhelmingly in favor of
D'Olier and voted by q count of SO to
for his election.
Started Legion in France
Mr.. DOiier was one Of the twenty
men who initiated the American Legion
in France, February Is, 1919, and since
that time has devoted all of his time
to perfecting its organization. He is
3 wool merchant of Philadelphia. He
was commissioned a captain in the
Quartermaster's Corps when the United
states entered the war. In France he
was assigned to organize the salvage
system, rose to the rank of lieutenant
colonel and was awarded the American
Distinguished Service Medal and the
French Legion of Honor. He was q
delegate to the St. Louis caucus Of the
American Legion, a member OF the
national executive committee and had
charge OF the state organization divi-
sion Of the legion at national head
quarters in New York
Commander D'Olier issued this state
mont tonight:
The American Legion has an enor-
nous amount OF constructive work be-
tore 1t 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
o accomplish during the coming year
-ust as remarkable results FOR our
country as we did in such compara-
Vely short time in effecting the utter
Oefeat OF the enemy.
All for Their Countr+-
Every action OF the convention
vas discussed carefully and in every
.aent prevailed. There was only one
Aought Of every delegate present and
mat wss to do what was best for this
country OF ours, for which only so
recsntly we were willing to give our
The election Of D'Olier, which was
made unanimous on motion by Mac
Nlder, came at the fag end of irving
day, during which two measures OF i'm
portance to the organization were de-
bated.
BY an overwhelming majority the
delegates placed themselves on record
on the bonus question in exactly the
manner the New York delegates, under
Colonel Donovan's lead, have been adj
yocatlng since their arrival last Mon
day
Puts Issue Up to Congress
The issue has been put squarely IN
TO Congress, which has been notified
mat the organization is strictly os the
belief that all fermer service men and
Women are entitled to additional com
pensation. but that Congress must de-
cloe what the amount shall be. An
efort by the delega tions from Ohio
and Massachusetts. the latter insistent.
strove to have the amount of the bonus
set at 81 for each day of service. A ter an
impassioned plea by Janney, of Mary
land, who criticized the selhshness Of