Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-11-12
American Legion Holds Con-
yenticn.

ventICH.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Nov. Given
ty-ive thousand delegates and alter
mates representing practically 1,OoO,-
600 former soldiers, sailors and ma
rines in every state and territory of
the United States are in this city or
on their way here to attend the first
national convention of the American
Legion which will be in session for
three days, concluding November IL.
The delegates will join with thou
sands of visitors and with residents
of this city in parade and celebra-
tion to "Armistice Day on Tuesday,
November IL.
; Officers of the Legion feel that
this convention will be of vital in
terest not only to former service men
and women but to the country at
large. Delegates confront the task of
defining the policy of the Legion
with regard to national issues in
which the welfare of the country and
of its veterans of the great war are
intermingled. Important questions
to be submitted for decision by the
convention include determination of
the attitude of the Legion toward the
future military policy of the United
States, and vocational education for
war veterans, soldier and legislation
and the future of war risk insurance.
Suggestion has been made by
Franklin D'Olier of the state organ
ization section that in forming its
committees the convention should ap-
point one "to determine the exact
limitation, if any, upon officers and
committee members of national,
state and post organizations with ref
erence to their political activities, to
maintain absolutely the non-political
character of the American Legion"
Permanent officers of the Legion
are to be elected for the ensuing
year. The location of national head
quarters is to be chosen. A policy of
organization through state branches
and local posts will be submitted for
decision and the names of post, state
and national officers are to be deter
mined.
Twenty thousand persons are ex-
pected to participate in the parade in
observance of armistice day, Tues
day. War Camp Community girls
stationed along the line of march will
sing as the parade is passing. Ad-
dresses will be delivered at the con-
clusion of the parade. The election
of officers, selection of permanent
national headquarters and place of
the next annual convention are not
expected to be completed until Wed
nesday, the last day of the conven-
tion.
Minneapolis has been working for
weeks to become the choice of the
convention for permanent national
headquarters, but that honor is also
sought by many other larger cities.
There is much competition also for
the selection of the meeting place for
the 1920 convention.
Minneapolis and St. Paul have
prepared extensive programs of en-
tertainments for the former service
men and women outside of the con-
vention hours. A theatre party and
boxing exhibition have been arrang-
ed in this city for tomorrow evening.
A ball will be given for the visitors
Tuesday night.
Although every delegate to the
convention has served with the arm
ed forces of the United States in the
world war, it is understood that no
uniforms are to be worn in the con-
vention. There is to be no distinction
of frank. Privates, generals, seamen,
naval officers and officers and men of
the m line corps will mingle indis-
The convention is to be
composed not entirely of men as a
number of women delegates will rep
resent posts of army nurses.