The Washington times., 1919-11-10
D. c. C.CHANCES
BRIGHT T0GET
MAIN OFFICES
Of us. LEGION

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 10.-Cam-
paigning for twenty-four hours on
the part of the District of Columbia
advance guard has frightened the
outlook for the National Capital Sc
curing the permanent national |
headquarters Of the American Le-
gion. 1t now appears Washington
will have strong backing when the |
question comes up for final debate |
during the last session, Wednesday,
of the first annual convention of the |
legion.
There are few here who have not |
come with some set purpose. Some |
want the next convention. Others |
are after the strongest possible rec
ommendation in regard to bonus |
and so on. 1t seems to be a case,
plain and simple, of you help us
and We'll help you,' and, of course,
the Washingtonians are in a posi- !
ton to lend helping hand in some
cases. Few are Understanding the
strength of the District delegation
and the powerful influence of the
legion at the seat of the Govern
ment.
Two Big Delegations May Aid.
Two of the most important delega-
tions which virtually have been
pledged are Pennsylvania and Nassa-
chusetts. Kenneth McRae, whose Of
fetal capacity has been as liaison Of
ficer between legion headquarters at
New York and the various Govern
ment departments, has been one Of the
hardest working members of the
Washington delegation. 1t was
McRae who took IL upon himself to
try out" the Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts,. Massachusetts, voting
strength, as originally decided, is
200. and Pennsylyania's so.
Colonel Jones. chairman OF the
Washington delegation, and one of the
strongest candidates for the office OF
commander-in-chief. received a tele-
gram this morning from Major Daniel
J. Donovan. one of the District dele
gates who had been expected to ar.
rive this morning, in which he ex-
pressed doubt as to whether he will
be able to make the trip. Major
! Donovan has been suffering with a
heavy cold and has been advised by
his physician not to make the trip
| His absence would be felt keenly, as
| he Is regarded as one OF the strongest
and most effective speakers of the
Washington delegation. He had been
expected to make the nominating
speech for Colonel Jones.
Twenty Committees Named.
In place of the seven committees
originally appointed to handle the
business OF the convention, twenty
have been named as a result of yes
terday's caucus of national executive
officers. The Washington representa-
tives are: Credentials, Fisk: rules Of
the convention. Leonard; permanent
organization OF the convention, At
kinson; eligibility, Imirie; auxiIiaries,
Harvey; political restrictions, Stern;
| finance and national dues and con-
stitution and organization, Jones
emblem, Mann; legislation, Atkinson
! next meeting place, Davis; permanent
headquarters. Donovan; post activi.
ties and memorials, Stokes: employ
ment, McRae; war risk insurance.
Hill; beneficial legislation. McRae;
military policy. Rollins; anti-Ameri-
can propaganda, Kessler: resolutions,
Peyser.
The District delegation this morn
ing IL holding its first official caucuc.
There naturally is a differnce of opin-
ion on some questions, but, as far as
can be determined, these differences
are going to beQ settled amicably.
First OF all the District is going 10
make its fight for permanent head
quarters and the recognition of It's
candidate for commander-in-chief.
Bonus Question Important.
The question OF the bonus is COM
ing in for a whole lot OF serious con-
sideration. The plan that probably
will be supported is that famiIiarIy
known as the consolidated" This
/ In oh rrf. oh
! three plans. First, the bonus in sorne
form; second, vocational training, aui
third, a Government loan for the pur-
chase OF a home. Each OF these has
a strong following and the general
belief seems to be that any ex-sol-
der would be content with one OF the
plans offered under the consolidation
| scheme.
The District delegates have inter
ested themselves in many questions
that are expected to develop red not
debate on the floor of the convention.
The Bennett Clark and Theodore
| Roosevelt factions of Paris caucus
fame. according to reports from some
quarters are due for a clash. Young
| Roosevelt is here. 1t Is understood
Clark will not attend. The conteu-
tion seems to be that Clark, after
having been put in power at the Paris
caucus was suddenly ordered away TO
another point In France while Roos D
Welt replaced him. and was given op-
portunity to carry the ideas OF the
caucus to America for development.
This was accomplished at the st.
Louis caucus. Clark's supporters are
determined to make a stand and de-
mand an explanation. There are
many in camps here ready to fight
''the Old Guard" which, they claim.
includes too many colonels and lieu
| tenant colonels.' More strength for
the enlisted men is generally desir, 4
and few believe 1t will not be forth
| coming.
Many sleep ON Army Cots.
The Washington delegation is par
| ticularly fortunate in that II has been
| comfortably quartered at the Hotel
Andrews, one of the best here. Minne-
| apolis housing situation just now is
much the same as that of Washington
during the war. The city officials are
doing their best to handle the situa-