Evening star., 1919-05-08
AMERICAN LEGION
CONVENTION OPENS
1000 War Veterans Meet at
St. Louis-Several Ab-
sorbing Questions.
D. C.. DELEGATES ARRIVE
AIMS OF THE LEGION.

AIMS OF THE LEGION.
mitted to the convention of the Amer
Jean Legion at St Louis announces
!, the following as the aims of the
; legion:
Ito inculsta the duty and OBJ
legation of citizenship.
ITO preserve the history and
=. incidents of our participation in
this war.
. 3-To cement the ties of COM
= radeship formed in service.
II ITO protect. assist and promote
the general welfare of all soldiers,
sailors and marines.
Il $40 encourage the maintenance
of individual and national efficiency
TO the end that the American peo-
pie shall never fail in their obliga-
tion to humanity.
SO maintain the sacred doc
trine of undivided and uncompro-
missing loyalty.
!. BY the ASsncEt Il Press.
{. ST. LOUIS, May S.--The American
Legion. composed Of men In the mill
tary or naval service of the govern
ment during the war. opened a three
day session here today. with more than
.
practically every state in the country
present. Lieut.. Col. Theodore Roose-
D. welt of New York presided. Though
little was accomplished at today's SEES
sions save the formal opening Of the
convention and examination Of cre-
dentials Of the delegates, there were
indications that the caucus will not be
an entirely peaceful one.
=, The sessions of the various tempo
, rary committees during the past two
days have brought to light many diff
ferences of opinion. Foremost among
National Guard and the Regular
Army.
Guardsmen VS.. Regulars.
An effort is being made on the part
OF the national guardSmen to exclude
regular army men from the legion.
although the temporary executive
committee has votd to open the men,
bership to all men and women who
cav service in the war. Col. Bennett
Clark of Missouri. who few days
ago told the national guard conven-
tton that "the regular army must be
smashed" now is the leader Of the
forces fighting for recognition of the
regular in the legion
In addition to the regular army-na-
tional guard affair, many delegates
today reiterted previous complints
tht the legion would be IAN officers
club" and that politics was being play
ed in it's organization. These charges
wee denied by Lieut. Col Theodore
Roosevelt. Temporary chairman, and Col
Clak. Temporary vice chairman of the
executive committee in opening ad
desses today. --a-
Membership of Enlisted Men,
The proposed rule to limit the en-
list ed men to so per cent of the MEM
bership has been stricken out at the
Recommendation Of Lieut. Col. Roose-
welt and substitute will be present
ed. probably tomorrow.
Another question which was brought
up today was that 'of admitting
negroes to membership. A group Of
bamians. is lobbying against the ad-
mission of negroes. proposing that
they should be allowed to form an
auxiliary organization.
The caucus will appoint an execu-
tive committee to govern the organi-
zation until convention can be held
some time in November, when perma-
nent organization will be affected.
Voting is on the basis OF congress
efonal representation of states. each
state being entitled to voice as many
votes as it has congressional repre-
oentatives.
Washington Delegates Honored.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
ST. LOUIS No.. May s.-The Hotel
5ssrsSn was s;,v,th the seen scene Of con
rival here of the Washington delega-
tion of war veterans to attend the
organization meeting of the Ann merican
Legion. Owing to the complete or
ganization and stability OF Pershing
Post, No. 1, representing the District.
the delegation was accorded leading
recognition and many of the repre-
sentatives from other states were
early in conference with the Wash
ingtop men. seeking their views on
various matters expected to come be-
fore the convention
Among the outstanding develop
ments OF the day here Of interest to
the local men was the appointment
Of Col. E, Lester Jones. commander
OF Washington's post. to head the
committee on the order of business.
In the absence Of a distinctive COM
mittee on resolutions the committee
headed by Col. Jones is looked upon
as the most influential berth in the
organization scheme.
Districts Voting Right Recognized
II has been practically decided to
allow the District eight votes in con-
vention. This arrangement will be
based on a congressional district plan.
whereby each delegation will have
two votes for each member of Con-
gress from the territory II represents.
Washington will have four votes on
the basis of being entitled to two
representatives in Congress, and four
more on the basis of being entitled
to two senators.
With the arrival here of the party
headed by Lieut. Howard Fisk, L. S.
N. adjutant of Pershing Post. the
Washington delegation of fifteen men
was complete with the exception of
Capt Howard NJ. Peter. L. S. NJ. c..
who has been delayed by a train
wreck on one of the southern roads.
1t Is understood that the entire dele
cation of fifteen will be entitled to
privileges of the floor, and an ar
rangement will probably be reached
whereby some member of the delega-
tion will cast eight votes on all ques-
tions. thereby representing the will
of the delegation.
Col. Jones. who left Washington
Sunday. was in caucus with the dele
CATION heads all day yesterday Capt
John l.. Smith. L. S. A. has been his
aid here and has attended the eau
Gus meetings. This morning was given
over to a meeting of the local dele
CATION, at which general plans were
laid. and the convention proper will
open at 2 o'clock central time or 3