The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-09-10
American Legion
Hears Teddy Jr.
STATE CONVENTION OF
ERICAN LEGION is BIG
SUCCESS
MEN ALL IN EARNEST
PREPARATIONS MADE FOR FIRST
NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD
IN MINNEAPOLIS, NOV. 10
lSpecial to The Gazettel

About 400 delegates assembled in the
st. Paul auditorium Tuesday, Septem-
Der 2, to formally organize the Min
nesota Veterans. The delegates were
a most enthusiastic group and it was
clear that their business-like attitude
signifed successful meeting.
The convention opened at 1870 +.
M. with concert by the 151st +. A.
band Father w. j. Harrington, for
mer chaplain of the 151st F. A., de-
livered the invocation and following
this Mayor Hodgson of ST. Paul, well
coined the former service men TO the
city.
The meeting was called to order by
Chairman Harrison Fuller of st. Paul,
who mas been temporary state Chair
man since the st. Louis caucus IN May
The first order of business was the
election of a chairman and secretary
for the convention. Mr.. Fuller and
Mr.. Chaplin were unanimously elected
to the respective Offices. After the
chairman had appointed several COM
mittees the meeting adjourned until
8 P. NJ. when it assembled at the audi
forum to hear Mr., Roosevelt's adj
dress.
MIR Roosevelt's speech was a
straightforward short exposition OF
Americanism as he saw it and as the
American Legion hopes, he said, to
preserve it. Tt was not speech in
the sense Of 4 prepared Grafton, but
rather a friendly talk, mingling hui
NOR with earnestness. Mr.. Roose-
velt's visit to Minneapolis was sig
nifcant, because of the forthcoming
first annual convention of the Ameri-
can Legion to be held in Minneapolis
November 10, IL and 18th. His visit
to the city enabled him to meet local
committees, who were planning the.
convention program.
The morning of the second day was
set aside for committee meetings.
These meetings were very business
like and many heated discussions took
place. The reports of these commit
tees were made at the afternoon ses-
sion. All committees except the
Resolution committee were ready to
report at that time. This committee
was in session all day and sent IN
their Resolution, two and three at q
time. which were Immediately read
and adopted or rejected.
The state convention indorsed the
action of the st. Louis caucus urg-
inc the deportation Of alien enemies
and alien slackers, and requested the
Minnesota Congressional delegation
to support legislation along this line.
The delegates voted to request the
federal civil service commission, as
well as all state and municipal OIL
GERS of Minnesota, to refuse to pro-
vide positions for slackers and con-
scientious DIRECTORS.
Resolutions adopted by unanimous
vote called attention to the act of the
last legislature in giving preference
to honorably discharged service men
and women in appointments to public
office and directed the state organl-
cation and local posts of the Legion
to use all possible means to make this
act known throughout the state and
to have it enforced.
The closing day of the convention
was as enthusiastic as the opening
day. A great many important ques-
tions came up and were discussed at
length. Both the morning and after
noon sessions were filled with consid-
cradle activity and it was feared for
time that in order to finish the work
before the convention, an evening ses-
sion would be necessary
The question of Universal Military
Training was thoroughly discussed
and finally Endorsed. While major
ity of the delegates favor universal
training, all apparently are opposed
to military autocracy and it was sug-
gested that the national convention
of the Legion in endorsing universal
training, take steps to prevent So
called West Point control OF the peo-
pies army.
The convention recommended that
it pass at its coming special session,
a law appropriating funds for the
payment of bonus of $500 a month
to all service men and women without
dependents and $500 a month TO
service men and women with depend
ents. who were honorably discharged
or honorably released from the sery-
ice.
1t was thought best not to bring
up the matter of bonus at the con-
vention. but to accept whatever the
legislature saw fit to give. However,
Che Governor had asked for an ex-
preston of sentiment of the dele
oates at the convention and they felt
hey could not do otherwise then ind
out what the service men Of the state
desired along this line.
It was decided to elect delegates to
the National Convention held IN Min
neapolis on November 10, IL and IL.
Therefore d recess was had, 50 that
each district delegates could hold a
caucus and elect their delegates. =
was Thought best "a elect such dele
gates at this time II order to d. awav
with the bio expense of holding dis
frict meetings fnr That purpose later
r-s.l. -. <,,..,~ ii district ~ al