Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-27
AMERICAN LEGION
OPENS MEETING IN
CLEVELAND TODAY
$4,000 Visitors Will Witness
Parade of World War
Veterans.

CLEVELAND, September 27.-More
seats at the Hippodrome Theater this
morning when Franklin DOlier. ma
tfonal chairman, called to order the
second annual convention of the
American Legion, equaling in impor-
tance the national sessions of the
big political parties. The floor Of the
conventions. state standards and PEN
nants designating seats allotted to
the various delegations.
Commander D'Olier presented Rev.
Francis J. Kelley Of Troy. N. Y. the
lighting chaplain who delivered
Fitzgerald welcomed the visitors and
delegates in behalf Of the city.
Then, in order. came the report of
the national commander, the report
of the executive committee on the
convention program, naming of con-
vention committees, announcement OF
the time and place of the meeting
of these committees and the reports
Of the national adjutant and the ma
tional treasurer.
The convention prepared to adjourn
at noon to witness the parade this
afternoon of approximately 10000
former soldiers and ex-service wom-
en-. the feature of the three-day con-
vention.
Questions StiM Undetermined.
one Of ths apGt important msttaRs
to be presented before the conven-
ton after the preliminaries was are.
port of the credentials committee. The
committee was IN session early tOaay
to decide two questions, which, after
protracted debate. failed to end in
a solution at a melting Of the execu-
tive committee. last light.
These are: Shall each department
be allowed only its five delegates at
large and one additional delegate for
each even 1000 paid-up members, or
shall it be allowed one additional
bers or major fraction thereof?
Shall the posts in foreign countries
be allowed votes in the convention?
The credentials committee COM
prises one member from each recog-
nized department represented at the
convention, including all states, the
District of Columbia, Alaska and Ha-
waii.
Number of Votes Involved.
Whether an additional delegate
would be seated by states having q
bers affected twenty-three votes.
The question of the seating of dele
gates or their proxies from foreign
countries or outlying territorial pos
sessions of the United States involved
lS6 votes.
Pending decision of these two aues-
tions the voting strength at the con-
vention ranged between LOAF and
i1,156.
Legion organizations in Mexico,
Panama; Plaa Philip Philippine Islands. Porto
Isles. Canada. Chile, China, Cuba.
France. Guatemala. Japan, Poland.
Samoa and Santo Domingo were
among those involved.
The executive committee decided
convention should be on the basis of
paid-up natioal dues August % last,
which on that date totaled S1s,6S0.
There was strong objection to this
ruling by many states, National dues
for more than 100000 men have
been received now, it was said.
R. G. Greviston, director of organ
izat1on for the legion. said more than
two million men have Joined the le-
gion. He explained that the disparity
between that figure and the number
or national dues received represent
delinQuents and unacknowledged pay
ments of national dues
Marshal Foch's Homage to VaIor.
Greetings from Marshal Foch of
France were read to the American
Legion convention today. He sent this
message:
10 the American Legion in convention
assembled. Cleveland, Ohio:
Regretting my inability to find my
self among the former combatants
OF the glorious American Army, my
heart is with them at the moment of
the second anniversary of the fighting
they went through by the side of the
allies for the common cause of right
and liberty, 1 again render homage to
the valor and to the tenacity which
they increasingly showed on the bat
tlefields of France in the days of mis-
fortune and the days of success; the
magnificent enthusiasm with which
; they answered our call; the great part
they took in the sacrifices of war; the
glorious remembrance of those who
fell on our soil will remain a token
, of the profound gratitude and the in
deStructible union of our two coun-
Cleveland. the steel city" and to the
great state of Ohio. which has fur
nished to America SO many illustrious
statesmen and to France SO many
faithful friends F. FOCH,
Marshal of France.
Report OF Commander DOlfer.
The greatest single service Amer
their country is their "virne stand for
the maintenance of law and order"
Franklin D'Olier. national commander
of the American Legion. told the sec
ond annual convention of the legion
at it's opening session here today.
1--WE quickly served notice in no
uncertain terms upon those wild radi-
Gals who would by force attempt to
injure those very institutions we had
risked our lives to protect" Com
mander DOlier said. 1--WE stated
plainly we were ready for them and
could meet their force with far
greater force sufficient to stop them
instantly.
"During these present days Of un-
rest and readjustmenf the American
Legion and the stand of the ex-serv-
ice man for law and order is the
greatest possible insurance policy our
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