Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-05-09
ELECTS COL. LINDSLEY
 AS PRESIDENT
Roosevelt Refuses After a
 Long Argument.
HAS NO DESIRE
 TO HOLD OFFICE
stormy Session Prevails During the Election of Officers at First
 Meeting.

St. Louis, May 8.-Determined ef- forts by the delegates to the national caucus of the American legion, which opened here today to force the chair manship of the organization on Leu- tenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, failed and Col. Henry D. Lindsley, of Dallas, Texas, was elected chair man.
 For nearly three hours, the dele gates urged the nomination on Colon- el Roosevelt, who steadfastly declin- ed. saying he "had no desire to hold office in the organization" but sim ply wanted to be booster. After several speeches in which he urged the caucus to take him at his word," and nominate some one else, he shouted:
 'I'll tell you just why l can't ac- eept this nomination. They say I am a politician and that l formed this organization to make grandstand play .and----". Shouts of "No. No." drowned him out and after try ing for 30 minutes to establish order, Colonel Roosevelt finally sank ex- hausted into his chair. The pande- ronium continued for nearly an hour, shouts of i've want Teddy" and make him take it," predominating. The session took on the appearance of college mass meeting, various college wells filling the air and al- ways with Eve want Teddy" at the end. t
 Would Force Election. 1 Colonel Bennett Clark, son of Speaker Clark, then temporarily took | the chair and told the convention that it must force Colonel Roosevelt to ac- cept the nomination and requested 1 that someone make motion to that effect. The motion was made but Col ona' Roosevelt aGain insisted that he could not hold office in the organiza- tion. and the caucus finally acceded to his wishes, his opponents offered | to withdraw and make his nomina- tiOn unanimous.
 Opposing Col. Lindsley, who was supported by Colonel Roosevelt, was Sergeant Jack Sullivan. of Seattle, Washn., the candidate of the "Buck Privates." Sullivans name was withdraw when the state of Wash ] ington was reached in the voting and at his request Col. Lindsley's elect ion was unanimous.
 The vote at the time was Lindley 630: Cullivan 2O9 Col Lndsley. who was decorat- ed with the distinguished service med. al. was formerly mayor of Dallas. Texas. The day his term of office expired, he enlisted, serving in the service of supply in France. He will hold office only until the next con- vention which probably will be in November
 SerDeant Sullivan was unanimously elected first-vice chairman, and Sea- man Fred M Humphreys of Roswell, N. M., was chosen second-vice chair man.
 1 A third vice-chairman. a member of the marines, will be elected tomor- row, the ovations causing such de- lay in the meeting that all the busi- ness scheduled. could not be handled. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Wood. of Washington, was elected secretary.
 To Fight I. w. W.'s
 Formal announcement was made today by delegates from the far west, that they would endeavor to have the convention take definite action con- cerning the I. w. w. and bolshevism. l Sergeant Sullivan presented reso- lution to be acted upon tomorrow, which says in part:
 Whereas, there is an clement liv- ing among us + F + who mistake liberty for license, free speech for an- archy. and who by their actions and speeches and radical papers, would revolutionize this government and make this land of freedom a land of free love +
 "Re it resolved, that this convention petition congress that all members or organizations such as I. w. w. bol- sheviki, and kindred organizations be deported | < s' that stop be put to the printing of their literature and l that anyone found guilty of distribut- ing their literature be deemed guilty |of a criminal offense."
 The caucus has received motive from . the Geogre Washington national . memorial association of womens clubs that it is willing to turn over one \ floor of it's building in Washington. .|including an auditorium seating 1,oQ0 Ipersons to the American legion Tor it's permanent use. Action on the nast- lter will be taken later.