Connecticut western news., 1919-08-07
ORGANIZE
THE AMERICAN LEGION
National Organization Now
Numbers Over 100000
Members

In the first three months since
the st. Louis caucus of The American
Legion, the national organization of
American veterans of the Great War,
more than 2400 local posts of former
soldiers, sailors and marines have
been formed in the United States
Of this number 1900 posts have been
chartered by the National Head
quarters of the Legion at 10 West
44th Street, New York city. Appli-
cation for national charters for
1899 others are pending and char
tiers will be issued as rapidly as
possible. These local organizations
include ex-service men in every state
in the Union. Based on the record
of charters issued at National Head
quarters, and on reports from State
branches, it is estimated that the
membership in The American Le-
gion up to July 31st was more than
100000.
In addition to the formation of
local posts, two of the fundamental
steps in the organization program
of the National Executive Committee
representing the Paris and st. Louis
caucuses have been accomplished:
The establishment of nationwide
organization with a governing body
at National Headquarters, and the
creation of an active state branch in
every state. By September 1st the
Legion plans to have at least one
local post of ex-service men in each
congressional district or county in
the United States.
During September a membership
drive will be conducted in each state
under the direction of the state or
ganization. The aim of the Organi-
zation Committee at National Head
quarters will be to enroll 100000
former soldiers, sailors, and marines
prior to the national convention of
the Legion at Minneapolis on Novem-
Der 10th, 18th and 18th, when the
permanent organization of the Le-
gion will be effected. November
18th will be American Legion Day
throughout the country. Following
the membership campaign in Septem-
Der, state conventions will be held in
October to elect delegates to the
national convention.
In the organization to date, New
York state leads the country with
1872 posts chartered and 1913 addi-
tional posts organizing with charters
pending. Pennsylvania has 1852 posts
actually chartered; Massachusetts,
has lao chartered posts and Sd others
organizing, and Iowa has lie posts
chartered by National Headquarters.
In intensive organization of service
men, however, the states of Vermont,
South Dakota, Iowa and New Hamp-
shire lead the country. These states
have more posts per 1000 men who
entered the service than any. other
state. Connecticut has Ia posts
chartered, with 10 posts in process of
organization.
II Although the principal effort Of
the National Executive Committee
of the Legion and the state branches
prior to the November convention
will be directed to organization, ac-
tive bureaus have been established
direct service to discharged soldiers,
sailors and marines.
| A national unemployment bureau
operating through state branches and
local posts in cooperation with
Colonel Arthur Woods, assistant to
the Secretary of War on re-employ-
ment, is helping to stimulate public
works enterprises to afford employ
ment to discharged veterans.
II A national bureau operating
through branches and local posts also
has been established to furnish ex-
pert legal advice to discharged men
in matters of federal finance such
as war risk insurance, allotments,
liberty bonds, service pay, bonus and
mileage.
A national speakers bureau has
been organized under the direction
of which Theodore Roosevelt of New
York, John w. Nnzer of Alabama
and j. f. J. Herbert of Massachu-
sets, and other spokesman of the
Legion will make speaking tours in
various parts of the country to
present the organization, the aims
and the spirit of the Legion to the
country.