The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-05-14
Legion Delegate
Reports Meeting
LIEUT.. BALDWIN TELLS OF eau
Gus OF SOLDIERS IN ST.
LOUIS.

LlCULC44d4L A1l11CO1l Il. 0aIUWII. Oh
Redwood Falls, one Of the Second Dis
trict delegates to the first meeting
of the American Legion which was re-
Gently held IN ST. Louis makes the fol-
lowing report of this wonderful meet
ing in which the Veterans of the World
War took the initial step in organic
ing for future interests. The report
is interesting from any viewpoints
and is here published in It's entirety.
The Minnesota delegates (about
thirty-five in number) to the caucus in
st. Louis left st. Paul in special car
at eight o'clock May 6. They were
given rousing send-off at banquet
ssHt the st. Paul Athletic Club with
I Mayor Hodgson and Senator kellogg
i as hosts.
Arriving at the Depot we found
that our delegation was not composed
entirely of male members as we ex-
pected. A young woman was IN our
midst. Miss Lucille Halliday of Min
neapolis, with songs and an abund-
ance of pep was a great help in max
ing our trip enjoyable. She proved
her worth at the first meeting of the
caucus. As one st. Louis paper des-
cribed the incident, "A young woman
sweet of face and charming OF man
ner so fascinated the assembly that to
man they sang their utmost, Whem
previous to that time, the repeated
efforts of Y. NJ C. A. secretary had
failed to produce the slightest muir
mer."
Small Minneapolis pennants and
buttons were given each Minnesota
delegate. We pledged ourselves then
and there to bring the November con-
vention back to Minneapolis ii such
thing were possible
The trip to st. Louis was made
without special incident except that
the train was several hours late due
TO the fact that the track was under
water for over thirty miles, the water
coming up as high as the second step
of the coaches. Upon arriving at st.
Louis we found the hotels crowded
hut due to the successful efforts or
our chairman, who had gone down IN
advance, the reservations were very
satisfactory.
The next morning our delegation
met at ten o'clock for the purpose or
amounting committees and discussing
our policies and recommendations to
be carried out on the floor of the con-
vention. At two o'clock we gathered
at the Shubert jefferson Theatre with
1926 delegates representing every
state in the Union. The caucus was
held for the purpose of organizing the
American Legion, which is expected TO
be the voice of the solder vote IN
American affairs. After a few songs
were sung and our heads bowed III
prayer, the meeting was called to or
der by Col. Theodore Roosevelt. Col.
Roosevelt had been elected temporary
chairman at a meeting OF delegaIeS
in Paris a few months ago.
AS Col Roosevelt came to the plat
form, the delegates to a man, rose TO
their feet and gave him a cheer which
he will not forget. He again called
the meeting to order and opened the
nomination for permanent chairman.
Sergt. Jack Sullivan of Seattle, Wash
ington rose Immediately and nominal
ed Col. Roosevelt, with well chosen
words and expressions which only
born orator can command. Roosevelt
at once withdrew his name. He stated
reason. ST want the country at large
10 get a correct impression OF this
meeting. We are gathered for very
high purpose. I want every American
to realize that there isn't man IN
this caucus seeking anything for him
self personally, that he is simply
working for the good of the entire
situation. Gentlemen that is my wish,
and nv absolute determination is to
withdraw myself"
They ignored his ruling and the
cadence Of eve want Teddy began
This was kept up for over an hour
amidst the desparite pleading OF Roos-
evelt. The latter finally called Jack
Greenway of Idaho, who was mem
Der of the Rough Riders. he SAID,
81 know this Roosevelt outflt, ana
know they mean just what they say.
/ have Just talked with Col. Roosevelt
and he says that, if after all the boys
get home, and get representation
in the November convention, ne still
is wanted to will give the matter con-
sideration".
This seemed to satisfy delegates
and they permitted roll call to pro-
coed on the names of Col. Lindsey
and Sergt. Jack Sullivan. Lindsey
came ont victor and Sullivan was I'M
animously chosen as vice chairman.
T lieutenant Col. Eric Fischer Wood.
who has served as secretary since the
movement was started in France was
named. Fred P. Humphrey sailor
was elected second Vice chairman
and private p. G. Calhoun OF Gonnectl-
cut a Marine, third Vice chairman.
The second session of the caucus
opened the following afternoon with
as much enthusiasm as was evidenced
the preyious day. The recommends
tons of the different committees were
discussed and voted upon. Every tning
went smoothly until the recommends
ton of the committee on place Tor the
next meeting was read. The commit
tee recommended Chicago. The deie,
gates had placarded the walls ana
distributed literature among the deie-
gates. Large banners read chicago I
wants you in November" 1t looked
as though Chicago would be success