The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-12
WOOD FAVORED FOR
1920 BY THE LEGION
Informal Poll at st. Louis
Shows $50 for Him and $50
for Wilson.
DUELL TELLS OF VOTE
Says Senator Hiram johnson
Appears to Be Second Re-
publican Choice.


In St. Louis last week showed $50 ex-
soldiers ready to vote the Republican
ticket, as against 375 prospective Demo-
Gratis. according to Charles II. Duell.
Jr.. delegate at large for New York
State, who returned to the Union League
Club yesterday.
Gen. Leonard Wood. in Mr.. Duells
opinion. was the leading figure among
those who talked politics in the con-
vention. Hiram johnson appeared as
second choice with scattering votes for
Gov. Lowden Of Illinois. Senator Hard
ter's following was negligible one.
Among the Democrats President Wilson
was the first choice for a third term,
and the split OF 65o-55o was based on
his candidacy against that OF Gen.
Wood. II Gen. Wood should run
against w. G. McAdoo. second choice
among the Democrats, Mr.. Duell be-
lieves that Gen. Wood would show q
slight gain.
All of the delegates. says Mr.. Duell,
believed that they reflected the senti-
ment OF their home communities and
the sentiment of their brethren of the
service both at home and overseas.
Father of National Army.
"Gen. Woods popularity was very
noticeable" said Mr.. Dueil They
spoke OF Wood as the founder OF the
great Plattsburg movement and the
father of the National Army. Many de-
clared that his early foresight in the
training of officers and men before we
entered the war was the only thing that
saved us. A characteristic word among
some of the delegates was this: Well
out of war; Some Democrats said that
81 Wilson didn't run they'd vote for
Wood against McAdoo.
Wood speaks the language OF the
soldier. and the soldiers of this war
were the working man. the farmer and
the business man who together made up
the great American army. The delegates
considered both Wood and McAdoo to
be good eXecutives-the one In banking
and the other in Cuba. Wood. Wilson
and Hiram Johnson each had a popu-
lar following that none Of the others
could show"
After Wilson and McAdoo on the
Democratic side, Mr.. Dueli believes the
e greatest strength was shown by Secre.
tary Baker Champ Clark and Attorney
General Palmer
Mr.. Duell is highly optimistic as TO
the future Of the American Legion. He
said
with the birth Of the American Le-
gion at st. Louis there has been GRE
ated in this country the greatest single
instrument for the nations good, for
the UNFOLDING Of our American institu.
ton. since IN efounding Of the repub-
nc. II is 100 per cent. American and
with Its great membership, which will
reach nearly four millions. comprising
the very flower OF American manhood
It's truth and its honor. II will be the
dominating influence OF the nation for
years TO come. Though far greater, its
power Will be not unlike the influence OF
the G. A. r. after the close OF the civil
war.
AT this caucus of the American
Legion Lieut-Col. Roosevelt acquitted
himself with great credit holding GU,
single handed against the entire con.
vention and insisting that his resigna-
ton as chairman be accepted. The
shouts OF We want Teddy" which swept
through the hall made one think tina,
his father must really still be alive
and while an echo of the great love fol-
Theodore Roosevelt It was no less q
tribute of affection for his son.
Prohibition Amendment.
Sentiment for the modification OF thu
prohibition amendment and the wa,
time prohibition act. says Mr.. Duell. 4,
overwhelmingly in favor of a chang,
TO permit the use of light wines anc
beer. In this the New York delegation
took the lead. II presented a resolution
which will be acted upon at the mex
meeting OF the Legion. II was fol
lows:
Whereas. Tho officers and enliste,
men OF the American Arm. Navy ant
Marine Corps. while more than tw,
millions of their number were fightin,
abroad. and at least another two mil
lions were engaged In military servic,
or the United States, have had n,
chance or opportunity TO express thei
opinion on the question of light wine
and beer. the use of which was per
mitted by the American Army in Franc
by military order: now therefore be it
Resolved. That It Is the sense of tn
New York State committee of the Amer
lean misunderstanding whiskey, tn
saloon and liquors containing an OBJ
riously high alcoholic percentage-tha
the sale of light wines and beer shout,
he permitted to continue In the Unite
States.
And toward that end We urge upo
congress ana the several State gov
ernments and the people of the Unite
states that proper steps be taken to in
sure prompt expression OF our opinio
on this vital and non-partisan America
question, with the end in view tina
modified prohibition, specifically high
wines and beer be adopted in tn
United States. either nationally or sen
arately by individual States. as the
may wish to pass on the question a
separate State communities"
Mr.. Duell believes that unless actio
along these lines is taken before IN
flrst OF July there will be serious dis
turhances In the industrial States.
1T means now" he said, that IN
workman cannot get his glass OF bee
20 wash down his dry lunch, while IN
rich man. having bought and stored, en-
get all the alcohol he wants. That
the sort of thing that will breed DO
shevism In the hot weather. No on
can but rejoice that whiskey and di,
TILED spirits have been killed by IN
Prohibition law, but something must b
done to give the workman his beer an
the soldier the light wine to which h
became accustomed. Candidates VIII
stand against this next fall will surel
Ia II