The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-10-18
YANK LEGI0N'S
FIRST ANNUAL
MEETING OYER
MinOt Voted Next Convention
of Soldier Organization;
Delegates Named
FINE SPIRIT DISPLAYED
Major j. M. Hanley Comments
Upon Good Feeling Through
out Sessions Here
FINE SPIRIT DISPLAYED

"The great spirit shown by this con-
vention has been the most remarkable
experience have ever had and being,
as it Is, the first state convention of
the American Legion it speaks we'll of
the firm foundation on which it is
built"
These remarks made by Major ]. M.
Hanley OF Mandan who presides at
the convention of the legion during
its two day session here came at the
close Of the meeting after the dele
gates had given Judge Hanley a
unanimous and hearty vote of thanks
for the excellent manner in which he
had acted as temporary chairman of
the first state gathering.
Major Hanley's brief remarks re-
Elected the purposes and spirit of the
convention and he ended by saying,
"As l was sitting here just now, my
thoughts travelled back to the time
when l was sitting in the state legis-
lature and I was thinking if our legis-
lature was composed of the same ear
nest, thoughtful unselfish men as are
gathered here today much greater
6OOu WOu1u fUCt dCCOlup1lSACu ilOl CuC
state as whole than any legislature in
North Dakota has ever yet accom-
plished.'
M1NOT GETS CONVENTION
Following the election of officers
and delegates to the national conven-
tion at Minneapolis on November II
and the unanimous selection of Minot
as the 1920 convention city, the first
state meeting was ended with consi-
derable accomplishment in actual
work. The influence of this conven-
tion will undoubtedly surge through
all of the posts as the delegates re-
turn to their homes and will undoubt-
edly be kept alive and work much good
for the benefit of the state and all the
people of North Dakota.
The city Of Bismarck and the people
of the city were thanked for the enter
tainments and the welcome given the
delegates. The several patriotic and
religious organizations such as the
Salvation arr(y, Knights of Columbus;
Y. NJ. c. A., led Cross and other sim
liar organizations and the press were
also thanked by the convention.
The Bismarck post of the legion
was given three rousing cheers for the
way it handled the convention here
and provided for the delegates COM
fort and entertainment This post will
print the minutes Of the convention
and mail copy to every post in the
state as a gift from the Lloyd Spetz
post of this city.
League Of Nations Ignored
One delegate attempted to obtain an
expression from the delegates on the
league of nations and universal mill
itary service but his remarks did not
find single supporter among the
delegates. It, was quite evident that
the former service men did not wish
either of these two subjects injected
into the convention at this time.
Besides the delegates named yes
terday, the following were elected to
the national convention at Mime
apolis on November II to act as al
ternates: J. M. Hanley, Mandan;
Lyall B. Merry, Dickinson; L. E.
Correll, Casselton; Monte Wood, Bot
tineau; F. B. Streeter, Linton; James
Morris, Darlington; E. r. Teich, Vel
va; David Schwartz, Golden Valley.
Honorary delegates who will have a
voice at the national convention but
who will not vote ares Walter Slos-
ser, Grand Forks; jack Williams,
Fargo; Neil Wheeler, Minot % Mark ".
Trainer, Devils Lake; julius Baker,
Fargo; Fred Ward, Ashley; A. Knauf,
Jamestown; VIM. jeffrey, Williston.
Delegates Entertained
Last night the delegates attended
a banquet as the guests Of the Bis
marck post and were guests at the
various dances held later in the even
ing. Many of them who are Shriners
remained over until today and will re-
turn to Fargo and other eastern points
in the Shrine special.
The New Commander
Dan Dawson of Beach who was
unanimously elected state commander
of the legion entered the service as a
private early in the war, and was sent
to Camp Fremont, Calf Later he was
transferred to the balloon observation
corps at Fort Omaha, Neb., where he
was training for commission when
the armistice was signed.
Mr.. Dawson came to this state nine
years ago from Mason City, Iowa. He
practiced law for three years at Sen
.tinel Butte, was first assistant secre-
tary Of the 1915 senate Of the state
legislature, is at present acting states
attorney for Golden Valley county at
Beach during the custer proceedings
there taking place, is a graduate Of
the North Dakota university and has
served the Beach post of the legion
as post historian.
Policy of State Officers
"The policy Of the state officers of
the legion will be to keep the organ
ization out of politics as far as indi-
vidual parties are concerned" said
Mr.. Dawson. after his election this
afternoon. "But we will take prompt
action if any acts Of any political or
ganization are not pure 100 per cent
Americanism.
1--WE intend to start a membership
campaign Immediately to bring the
state enrolment up from 5000 where
it is today to 10000 when it will in
clude practically every former service
man in the state. The state officials
will be ready at, all times to coop
crate with every post and with every
member to help them solve their prob
lens as best we can. The state or
ganization will work for the individual
members and all of the posts all of the
time.'
Legislative Committee
Commander Dawson's first official
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