South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-24
LEGION REFUSES
TO ACCEPT PLAN
Declare They viii Not Assist
in Welcoming Themselves
Home.


bration in honor OF ST. Joseph coun-
tvs service men. planned for the
afternoon OF oct. %. the committee
viii meet at the Chamber OF Com
merce this afternoon 10 formally
take action in calling of the ceIe-
bration planned for Springbrook
park.
The resolution presented 20 the
mem bers Of the American Legion
Wednesday night az "A largely at
tended meeting 40 the Chamber OF
Commerce was voted down by an
overwhelming vote. To provided for
an informal reception al the high
school auditorium 10 take the place
OF the one planned for SprinFbrook
park. pointing out that the original
plan Will fail owing 10 lack OF sup
port from the public generally.
Deliver Fiery Talks.
I'VE don't want 20 suggest a plan
Of welcoming ourselves home from
the war" was the keynote Of several
fiery addresses made by many com
rades of the legion. one of the
speakers declared.
If the committee appointed by the
mayor To take charge of his celebra-
ton cannot put it through. ] do not
think il is up 10 the American legion
10 help them out We didn't start
this reception business and we don't
have TO finish it mp.
To Get Medals
II the committee is ready to
have a reception and give us the
medals they say they are going TO. ],
for one, viii be glad 10 receive the
medal and / Will be proud to wear
il. But IL / have 10 make plans for
my own welcoming home, merely
that I receive a medal. wouldn't
wear the damned thing"
The lack of support and the in
difference manifested by business
men Of South Bend. who refused TO
shut down their establishments for a
half day in order that the celebra-
tion might be a success. together
with the Indifference shown by the
service men in regard to the celebra-
ton and the lack OF funds 10 finance
the project. were given as reasons
for the proposal of the resolutions
before the legion.
Members Of the mayors commit
tee who are also members Of the
American Legion told the meeting
that it will be almost impossible for
the celebration to be held at Spring
brook as was at FIRST planned.
Pass the Buck
The Arch committee is merely
passing the buck to us" declared
COmrade +. Sommerer, i'm speaking
OF the resolution They find that
they can't put the celebration on and
they want us to make plans for our
own reception
II understand that this resolution |
was put before us tonight at the re-
quest OF the Arch committee as a
solution OF their difficulties The |
county commissioners have already |
purchased medals costing about |
$4,000 which are 20 be delivered 10
MS. I don't feel that We should |
make arrangements for the dedica- I
ton OF these medals If the business /
men and representative citizens Of
South Bend do not wish TO give them /.
to us
The entertainment committee re-
ported that two of the wholesale /
grocery houses of South Bend re-
fused 90 sell them sugar for the re-
freshments which were TO be served I
owing TO the shortage of sugar here |
The chairman OF the committee. (
John ID. Fsrneman. said that an
other wholesale house had furnished I
them with the sugar at wholesale
prices. and that wholesale cigar
store had contributed I'VE boxes OF
cigars
Presented By Slick.
The resolution was drawn up and /
presented by Comrade Slick. who /
spoke in its behalf lie said that he |
believed jhat the legion should lend /
its assistance TO the committee at
this time and help them 20 crawl out |
OF an embarrassing position
The proposal OF this resolution /
was the first inkHug which has
leaked out regarding the POSSIBILITY /
OF calling Off the celebration
a cCunter-resoluuOu was passed 7
at the meeting. which stated that
the American Lesion refused 10 take /
any action, either for or against a |
celebration for the home-coning
a committee was appointed 10 I
consider securing the Million Dollar /
band. a legion organization which is ,
touring the country. for a program /
IL South Bend the d-st part OF De-
Cembev. The band is said 90 be COM
posed OF 80 artists and four soloists /
no hall has vet bccl secured Iy /
the organization where It's regular
meetings may be held. the commit I
tee in charge OF the quest reported I
a number OF halls are now being /.
considered
Roland Obenchain gave report /
OF the national convention held i'm Z
indianapolis He spoke OF plans now f
under consideration IN the national !
body FOR the forming OF "A Ladies'
auxiliary 90 the American legion. 7
which is TO be- composed of the blood /
relatives OF the legion members.
The matter Of bonus for each I
soldier. sailor and marine is now be- .
ing handled by the national orsani- I
zatiOn AR Obenchain reported He
said that the plan OF requesting the /
government 10 have AN OF the bodies /
OF American soldiers who died i'm
France returned 10 the United States