Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-25

Holds First Convention
at Bangor

Albert Gresniaw Of Eastport Elsctes
First Commander-54 POSTS SeeS
chartsrs-Aegresats Membership
of 5noo-At Portland in 1920
Bangor. Ne. Sept eL-Furmer SOL
diers and sailors Of Maine met here
today In the first State convention
for the American Legion. Not only
was It the first convention or veterans
of the world war but it was the or
ganizatiun Of the men into what they
hoped TO be the greatest nun-poiiti-
cal. non-parrisan and nun-sectional
body ever organized in this State
According 70 Secretary James
Boyle. "a posts have applied for
charters with an aggregate member
ship for the whole State estimated
at ottte.
The convention opened al 1n.SD
! o'clock Albert Gfeeulaw of East
polT acting as chairman Of the tenn
porary State committee. presiding.
Rev Victor Leach Of Bangor offered
prayer and Mayor John F. WoodmRn
welcomed the delegates to the city.
He said that II gave him great pride
TO welcome the veterans Of the great
war 10 Bangor for their first meet
ing. They Were always welcome and
hoped that they would so enjoy them
selves that they would feel like re-
turning N another year He be-
Iieved the legion TO be endowed with
wonderful prosperity.
Following The mayor, Governor
MiIliken came ever from Belfast
where he attended the State Board OF
Trade meeting and addressed the
convention. He made il a point thai
the American Legion. standing a.
II does for TOO per cent Arnericanism
! for right. instead Of might having
1 no political bargain To make, haf
/ told possibilities for doing 4 greal
| work throughout the country
/, IL the people OF the country couit
I NOT turn 10 the returned soldiers ana
/ sailors in a moment Of doubt-ant
find them ready, as il did in the war
/ there would be no hope. He assured
] the members of the meeting that h
was with them and that so long a:
] the body lived up 10 its obligations
! they would always ind him ready u
help.
4 Following Governor Milliken. cams
the report Of the committee on ere
dentiaIs. which consisted of Jame!
A. Walsh of Lewiston. John H Had
ley Of Rumfurd and L E Andersen
/ Of Portland. The committees weTt
then elected and a temporary chair
man and secretary named. Albel-
Gfenlaw was elected temporary chair
man and James BOYLE temporar,
| secretary
Afternoon Session
! The afternoon session opened wit
/ presentation of the constitution
| and bylaws as prepared by the CON
/ stitutional committee Among iii
/ provisions are that there shall be
state convention held annually, com
/ posed of delegates from each post
/ on the basis of one delegate for tn
! post and one for every hundred ,
! fractional part thereof members
! that there shall be . state executiv
/ committee consisting of one maj
/ from the county, and that among IN
! regularly established officers for eacl
/ post. there shall be a post employ
| ment officer. and a post war risi
! insurance officer.
/ The adoption Of me constitution
| consumed considerable time aIthoug.
Nm ~ n ISM
I ments from the floor with the draf
/ made by the committee Fcllowin,
| the adoption came reports of tn
| secretary and treasurer. and ii
/ Legion then proceeded 10 hear Ii
1 report of the nominating COMMITTEES
The general feeling IL that Alber
| Greenlaw of Eastport. temporar-
/ chairman. will be elected stat
! ad5u1an1. There viii be nine dele
] gates elected to the convention a
] Minneapolis Maine being entitled -
/ four delegates and one delegate 70
every additional thousand.
/ In accordance with the sentimen
! Of the convention AT st. Louis. wl1icI
| through the country, military title
/ were dispensed with in the conven
| ton. and colonels- majors. captain
and buck privates all answered Z
/ the same appellation-the plain, or
| binary American mister" At fou
o'clock. IL the previous business ha
been completed. the committee q
| resolutions viii make its repor.
! Among the resolutions offered vi
! be one regarding a.:en slackers an
| one ON the bonus
Albert Greenlaw Of Easfporf wa
elected the first commander of tn
American Legion of Maine AT the al
/ ernoon sessiun. Other officers eiecfe
were:
/ EeorEe G. Mclean: Portland. vsc
commander: James L Bcsies WaIs1
Vile. ad5usanf, waifer H Bufier noOk
,sna finance ofacsrr d :. Dexter. Lew
/ 60. ,s.euian, Jnfm G. ToSne. Water
I 80. rrrnfss, sf arms: Res. j. a. Xafss
- -. annpasin. Portland wee -
I nusn1 = - place &c tass led cnnwsn