The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-10
Legion Just as Full
of Fight as Ever.
In National Gathering Today
They Lay Down Policy.
WILL STAND FOR LAW -ORDEF
Cheer Wildly All Speeches
Against Present Disturbances.
Theodore Roosevelt FIatIy Re-
fuses To Be Candidate.


task of carrying on" in peace was
put squarely before the American Le-
gion here today.
Speakers before the initial conven-
ton of the legion here today,Iaid upon
it the task of quelling Americas dis
turbances and making America fully
American.
With two thousand delegates. most
ly youthful, the convention was noisily
enthusiastic from the opening.
Temporary Chairman Henry d.
Lindsey in his opening address said
the legion would be one Embossed
organization"
Widest cheers were evoked by Gov.
J. A. A, Burnquist, of Minnesota, who
charged the delegates to be firm in
their stand for law and order in a
time of disturbance.
Better Immigration Laws.
Better immigration laws as a goal
for legion efforts were proposed by
Mayor j. E. Meyers of Minneapolis
DR.. Cyrus Northrop. president
emeritus of the University of Min
nesota, asked a blessing on 'these
men here planning further acts of de-
! ton to their country"
| While awaiting reports of the organ
| ization committees, the legion heard
| its officers report.
| Gen. Henri Collardet, military at
| tache to the French embassy, present.
| d
| a. demonstration.
| Remarks in French were mixed
with the yel1s. The marshal praised
| the American soldiers and said the
allies must remain united in defense
against autocracy.
Minneapolis Full of Heroes.
Minneapolis today probably has
more recognized heroes within its
| bounds than any area of like size
except the battlefields of France.
| The American Legion-non-every
thing but American-was to spring
from babyhood to the full vigor of
manhood here today This metamor-
1000 American fighters representing
100000 of their fellows Next year
they hope for 100000 members.
1t wasn't a n1ilitary-1ooking gather
| ing. Only an occasional uniform dot
ted the delegations, seated by states
these. DOTTED. disclosed "civies'' under
meath. z
Thre were some outstanding figures.
Lieut.-Col. Theodore Roosevelt, with
| his own war record, and many of his
| fathers mannerisms, Col Luke Lea,
! Col. Milton Foreman and Congress
man Royal johnson were among the
prominent ones.
The order intends 40 pay its chair
man and secretary. demanding full
time service. That was expected to
| end some booms since several can1i-
dates would have to make heavy sac
rifices to service at a salary the legion
| would expect to pay. The chairman
probably will ge from $1,000 to $10,-
| 600 year.
Favorite Sons.
Many favorite sons will have their
| names presented for the chairmanship
Prominent among these were Henry
T in 1ugo III
Pennsylvania; Edward Logan, Massa-
chusetts; Milton A. Foreman and A. A
Sprague, Illinois; Sergt. Jack Sullivan
| Washington, and Luke Lea, Tennessee
Early gossip concentrated on Linds-
ley and D'Olier as the strongest pos
sibiilties.
A plea for a bonus of 81 per day
of service is expected to bring a fight
A resolution condemning "any attempt
by anyone or any state to loot the
treasury" has been prepared.
Resolutions certain of presentation
will deal with Bolshevism, radicalism
military policy, recommending uniser.
sal training outside the Jurisdiction OF
the general staff, employment an6
recommendations for making war in
surance policies more elastic and valu
able.
Roosevelt Won't Run.
Discussion of candidates for ma
prominently mentioned for first ma
tional head of the legion has brough
an emphatic refusal from at least one
delegate.
When I say no, I mean no." de
clared Theodore Roosevelt, one of tn,
delegates from New York, when hi
candidacy was mentioned. Others re
ceiving support from their state dele
. cations and others include Col. Miltoi
J. Foreman of Chicago. Colonel Linds
ley, Col. Benson w. Hough of Ohio
and Thomas S. Woimsley of Louisiana
With a. mass of decisions affecting
: organization to be settled. first con
sideration today is to be given to selec
ton of committees and a tentativ,
program prepared by an advance com
mittee of state officers for submission
!. to the first session. With Tuesda.
devoted almost entirely to celebration
of armistice day, Wednesdays sessions
: are expected to prove busy ones TO
the delegates.