Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-05-13
AMERICAN LEGION ORGANIZES
Soldiers of World War Get Themselves
In Shane,

Soldiers of World War Get Themselves
In Shape.
Determined efforts by the delegates
to the national caucus Of the American
Legion, which opened in st. Louis last
Thursday to force the chairmanship
Of the organization on Lieut.. Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt failed, and Colonel
Henry D. Lindsey, Of Dallas, Texas,
was elected chairman.
For nearly three hours the delegates
urged the nomination on Colonel
Roosevelt, who steadfastly declined,
saying he had no desire to hold office
in the organization" but wanted to be
simply a booster. After several speech
es in which he urged the caucus ito
take him at his word" and nominate
some one else, he shouted: "I'll tell
you just why can't accept this nomi-
nation. They say I am politician and
that formed this organization to
make grandstand play and" Shouts
of mo! MOI" drowned out his words
and after trying for 80 minutes to es-
tablish order, Colonel Roosevelt finally
sank breathless into his chair. Pan
demonium continued for nearly an
hour with chanting Of I'VE want Ted
dy" and Make him take it."
Colonel Bennett Clark, son Of Champ
Clark. then temporarily took the chair
and told the convention that 1t must
force Colonel Roosevelt to accept the
nomination and requested that some
one make a motion to that effect The
motion was made, but Colonel Roose-
velt again insisted that he would not
accept and the delegates finally yield
ed, although candidates offered to
withdraw and make the nomination
unanimous.
Running against Colonel Lindsey,
who was supported by Colonel Roose-
welt, was Sergt. Jack Sullivan, Of Seat
tie, Wash, the candidate Of the buck
privates." When the state Of Wash
ington was reached in the voting Sui
livan caused Colonel Lndsleys cleo
ton to be made unanimous. The vote
at the time was: Lindsey, $50; Sulli-
van, 200.
Colonel Lindsey, who was decorat-
ed with the distinguished service med
al, was formerly mayor Of Dallas. The
day his term Of office expired he en-
listed, serving in the service Of supply
in France. He will hold office until
the next convention which probably
will be in November.
Sergeant Sullivan was unanimously
elected first vice chairman and Sea-
man Fred B. Humphreys, Of Roswell,
N. M, was chosen second vice chair
man over Petty. Officer c. F. George,
of New York, Lieut.. Col. Eric Wood Of
Washington, was elected secretary.
Formal announcement was made on
Friday by delegates from the far west
that they W endeavor to have the
convention take some definite action
concerning the I. W. w. and Bolshe-
| vism.
Sergeant Sullivan presented reso-
luton to be acted upon on Saturday,
requesting that petition be sent to
congress urging drastic laws to curb l..
W. w. activities.
The resolution says in part:
Whereas, there is an element living
among us who mistake liberty
for license, free speech for anarchy,
and who by their action and speeches
and radical papers would revolutionize
this government and make this land OF
freedom a land Of free love-be 1t re-
solved;
THAT this convention petition con-
gress that all members Of radical Of
ganizations such as the I. w. w., Boil
sheviki and kindred organizations be
deported +. that q stop be put
to the printing of their literature, and
that any one found guilty of distribut-
ing their literature be deemed guilty
Of a criminal offense"
Efforts on the part Of leaders In
the American Legion to prevent qnes-
tiors considered of political nature
coming to vote in the caucus, q Tis-
orous attack on the patriotism Of Chi
cago and its mayor, William H.
Thompson, and the selection OF Minne-
apolis as the next convention city were
among the Developments In Fridays
session,
For the time being, at least, the
question Of the caucus attitude on pro-
hibition and on the charges OF national
guard officers that they have been un-
fairly Disseminated against in favor OF
regular army men, was set aside. The
prohibition question was killed In a
special meeting Of the national reso-
lutions committee and the national
guard question also temporarily iaid
aside. The move is said to have the
backing of Lieut.. Col. Theodore Roose-
yelt. Col. Bennett Clark and other lead
ers in the organization. Backers OF
resolutions regarding these two ques-
tions insist they will force the caucus
to take some action.
Chicago and Mayor Thompson were
bitterly denounced as unpatriotic when
the question Of the next convention
city came up. The Chicago delegation
had decorated the convention hall WITH
signs boosting that city, but after
speech by J. F. j. Herbert Of Mass;'-
chusetts, delegates tore down many OF
| them.
Massachusetts will not agree will
inelv to having convention OF SOL
diers in the great war go to city that
has as its first citizen by vote, one VINO
cannot measure up in any small part 10
the test Of 100 per cent American
said Mr.. Herbert when Chicago was
suggested.
"The hall is placarded by signs say
ing The American Legion, Chicago
wants you in November II these
signs said Chicago soldiers and sailors
want you,' we could consider 1t, but
our reply now must be: Chicago can
hoya no noU or any other time un-