The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-11-10
MILL CITY WILL
RECEIVE $4,000
YANK DELEGATES
Stage All Set For First Great
Convention of American
Legion Today
TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Organization Will Determine
Extent of Political Ac-
tivities of Order
TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE


TO give the merican Legion perman-
ent shape and declare its policy
as force in social and govern
mental life of the nation 1000
delegates representing all sections
and classes of service men and
women started their first conven-
ton here today.
Governor J. A. A. Burnquist. pres
ident Cyrus Northrup of the Uni
versity of Minnesota and Major
J. e. Meyers, delivered brief
speeches at theopening session
this morning which was called
to order by Henry d. Lindsey of
Texas, national chairman.
Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 1O--rwcr
ty-tive thousand delegates and aItcrll.
ates Representing, practically 1.OcC,000
former soldiers sailors and marines in
every state ard territory Of the Un-
tied States are IN this city or OIL lIlri"
way here to al>nl the first national
convention Of the AmericA.l Legion
which will upea today. The rnn, en-
ton will be in session for three days.
concluding November II. The dele
gates will join with thosands of visi-
tors and with residents Of this city in
ii parade and celebration Of Atmisticc
Day on Tuesday November IL
officers of the Legion feel that this
convention will be Of vital interest hot
only Ito former service men and wo-
men but to the country at large. Dele
gates 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. I'M
portant questions to be submitted for
decision by the convention include de-
termination of the attitude of the Lo-
gion toward the future military policy
of the United States and vocational
education for war veterans, soldier
land legislation and the future Of war
risk INSURANCE.
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Suggestion has been made by Frank
lin D'Olier of the state organization
section that in forming it's committees,
the convention should appoint orc 10
determine the exact limitation, if any
upon officers and committee members
of national state and post organiza-
ton with reference to their political
activities, to maintain absolutely the
non-political character OF the Ameri-
can Legion"
Permanent officers of the Legion are
to be elected for the ensuing year.
The location of national headquarters
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 offices arc t.
bc determined.
Twenty thousand persons are eX-
pected to participate III ttl, parade II
observance of Armistice Day on Tues
day. War Camp Community girls
stationed along the line of march will
sing as the parade is passing. Adj
dresses will he delivered at the con-
clusion of the parade. The election
of officers, selection of permaEe:e IA
tional headquarters and place Of the
next annual convention are not eN-
pected to be completed until Wdnes.
day the last day Of the convention.
MINNEAPOLIS READY
Minneapolis has been working for
weeks to become the choice Of the con-
vention for permanent national head
quarters but that honor is sought also
by many other large cities. There
is much competition also for selection
of the meeting place for the 1920 con-
vention.
Minneapolis and st. Paul have pre-
pared extensive programs OF enter"
tainmcnts for the former service men
and women outside of convention
hours. A theater party and boxing
exhibition have been arranged in this
city for tomorrow evening. A ball Will
be given for the visitors Tuesday
might.
Although every delegate to the con-
yention has served with the armed
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 distin"-
ton of rank. Privates, generals, sea-
men. naval officers and men OF I1he
Marine Corps will mingle indiscri}hin-
ately. The convention is to be com
pesed not entirely Of men as 8 fmlm
Ter of women delegates will (repre-
sent posts of army nurses.
Henry D. Lindsey of Texas was
chosen permanent chairman Of the
convention and Sgt. Jack Sullivan OF
Washington, vice chairman with other
officers Of the legion continued during
the convention.
The convention adjourned at p
M. until 8 a. NJ, Tuesday.