The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-09-08
AMERICAN LEGION
IN A BIG DRIVE
Nationwide Campaign Starts Sept. is
to Secure Million Members--Ver-
mont Is Expected to Sc
cure 2,s37. 9E


New York, Sept s.A nation.wid
campaign to increase the membership of
the American Legion to 100000 vet
Grams of the great war will be started
by all state branches and local posts
throughout the country on Monday, Sept.
10. The drive viii last six days, closing
ON Saturday, Sept. 20. In that time
each state will be expected to fill mem
bership quota necessary to make the
strength Of the legion nationally l,OOO,-
600 members,
More than one-third of the million
100000 soldiers, sailors and marines of
the recent war organized in upward of
$500 posts from coast to coast--has al
ready been obtained. Henry d. Lindsey,
chairman Of the national executive com
mittee, has appointed these 100000 the
general membership drive committee,
each one with quota of three OF his
"buddies" to enroll in his local post in
the week of the campaign. The slogan
of the drive will be Lets stick togeth-
err" 1t viii be posted in large and small
communities throughout the country
The membership quota for each state
has been worked out on the basis of the
number Of men who served in the army,
navy or marine corps during the war
from that state. Many states have al
most reached their assigned quotas al
ready and the drive in those states will
| be TO double their present enrolment.
| One of the chief incentives of the cam
paign win be the fact that each states
] voting strength at the national conven-
ton in Minneapolis on Nov 10, ii and II
will be based on its membership prior
to Oct. 10, 30 days before the convention
assemblies.
The campaign for 100000 members
will be conducted on intensive lines.
Counties and posts win be assigned their
| individual quotas. Teams will be formed
in each post and cities, towns and coun'
try districts divided into workable sub
divisions so that an opportunity win be
available for personal appeal TO every
ex- service man. MONDAY and evening
meetings viii be held and speakers sent
to theatres, motion picture houses, ag-
ricultural fairs and industrial districts
TO present the legion to the veterans
In statement sent to-day to the
members Of the legion on the member
ship drive, Henry D. Lindsey, chairman
of the national executive committee
says:
VETERANS working for the American
Legion are working for America, which
needs the help Of all her sons to conserve
the principles for which the United
States fought against Germany. Edi.
tors, merchants, employers and all good
Americans extended their cooperation in
the Liberty loan drives. You members
Of the American Legion represent drive
started by the 100000 men and women
who offered their lives to safeguard the
liberty which they now enjoy
To the state which leads the country
in the membership drive, the national
executive committee win present a ban.
ner at the Minneapolis convention or
! Nov. II, American Legion day, wher
Marshal Foch and other distinguished
guests are expected to be present,
The membership quota assigned tc
Vermont for the drive week follows.
Total men in service, l0,937; number to
be secured, 1881