Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-04
LEGION FOR PROBE
OF ARMY CRUELTY
Cantonment at Harrisburg De-
mands Punishment OF
Guilty officers
BERGD0LL ARRESTS URGED
BY WALTER G.. LONG
Late Captain Second Ammunition
Train. Second Division

Harrisburg, Oct. IA rigid cohercS-
sional investigation of the alleged
cruelties to enlisted men at home and
abroad was demanded today in rcso-
luton presented to the cantonment OF
the American Legion in session here.
The convention went on record as
favorng maximum punishment Of those
found guilty of crueltics or mis-
treatments. The resolution will be
urged upon the national convention, as
u national policy of the legion. 1t was
presented by Lieut.. Henry II. Houston,
Post 3. of Erie. calling attention
to eases of soldiers and sailors,
who are now cases of charity, because
of disability. 1t was requested that the
legal committee of the legion take i'm
mediate steps to have favorable legislh
tinn enacted allowing these men TO he
placed in existing national or state
homes.
Other resolutions were:
An Endorsement of universal military
training favoring "a policy Of com e
pulsory and universal military training
with the idea Of creating citizen army
of self supporting men
4 denunciation of the public recep-
| tionS rendered Eamon De Valera,
president of the Irish republic with
the assertion that the Irish leader had
dealings with Germany during the war.
4 demand on the Department of
Justice for continued search for
Grover and Erwin Bcrgdoll. draft
dodgers, and for the punishment of
! them and their mother. Mrs. Emma
Bcrgdoll, for her alleged aid in their
escape.
\ declaration against the discussion
of partisan or factional politics at any
meeting of any Legion post.
\ declaration in favor of women S
auXiliaries to posts.
\ condemnation of the wearing of the
uniform by discharged soldiers, incud
ing eX Service men, acting as pcddlers.
Another resolution provides that a
special committee of five be appointed
to draw up a report on plans of social
organization and community service to
throw the influence of the legion on
the side of sane, constructive, demo-
cratic programs, proposed by nonCom-
mercial. nonpolitical, nonsectarian or
tganizations.
Ask "Armistice Day" Observance
Other resolutions instructed delegates
to the national convention to request
that body to urge legislation providing
for the observance of "Armistice Day"
on November II and for the paying of
premiums on war risk insurance in the
locality where the insured lives.
Declaring the existing war risk in
surancc act contains many defects. and
therefore fails of being Justly liberal
to the veterans of the world war, the
Sweet bill, now pending in Congress,
was udorsed.
This bill amends the war risk in
suranre act. rcmcdying its defects by
providing. first, for the payment of
converted insurance at the election of
the insured in one lump sum or in
thirty six or more installmentS.
Other changes include an increase in
! the class of benefciarics, an increase
in the awards in certain compensation
cases and an increase in the period of
automatic insurance. The resolution
was presented by NJ. Colder. Post 81,
Philadelphia.
4 brisk contest over the Office of state
commander Sresulted in the election OF
George +. Tyler, of Montgomery coun
ty. over Major Robert l.. Denig, Marine
Post 1856. of Philadelphia.
Other officers elected were: Vice com =
manders. Alexander Laughlin. ALLIE
gheny county: l.. Yell Spangle, Lycom =
ing county, and ii. G. Blank. Lehigh
county 4: state historian. Miss Margaret
| c. Thomas. Philadelphia county; state
master of arms David Farquhar, OF
Westmoreland county, and Robert Nc
Eldowney. of Cambria county, and state
chaplain, the Rev j. l.. y. Wolfe, of
Philadelphia county.
National Delegates
Delegates to the national convention
to be held at Minneapolis, November
10. II and II. were chosen today. Those
from Philadelphia named by districts,
follow:
Second Congressional district-H r.
Tully, Post ia Carl Sachs. Post 1SS
r. r. Hogan. Post 1856; F.. H. Walberg.
Post l46. and W. Fl. Creamcr, Jr.,
Post 195
; Third Congressional district. w.
! Study. Post 2O4; Robert l.. Denig
/ Post 1856; William l.. Char, chair
man, Post 275 Robert A. Nelson Post
1S9, and James B. Anderson, Jr.
) Post $50.
Fourth Congressional district -