Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-06
MAINE IN EVIDENCE
At CLEVELAND CON-
vENT|oN AM. LEGION

Had Much to Do with Shaping
the Legislation-Convinc
Convention of Wisdom of
Keeping Out of Politics-Col.
Greenlaw at no Time a Candi-
date for Commander-in- Chief
Cheers for Maine in Pa
rade-Solid for Bonus.
Colonel Albert Greenlaw. COM
mander of the Department Of Maine,
American Legion, has returned home
from the National Convention held in
Cleveland, Ohio. The colonel is much
pleased with the convention as a
whole. with the results accomplished,
with Names share in the program
and with the fine entertainment given
the Maine delegation. Said he: -
The Maine delegation numbered
10 in the parade. but it was about
the snappiest and happiest 10 that
even went out from Maine, because
wherever the Maine banner was seen,
it was one succession of cheers, ap-
plause and cries of Maine! Maine!
Maine!' One chap rushed into the
street and shouted above all the noise
and racket: oh. YOU gumchewers.
I'm from Maine myself
"One thing l wish to set right at
once. with the people of Maine and
the Legion. 1 was not at any time
never for a moment considered the
idea-a candidate for commander in
chief. I was first, last and all the
time for Fred w. Galbraith Of Gin
cinnati, Ohio. Colonel Galbraith is
Legion man, wearing the scars of
honorable wound received in France.
Ee is president CT the Western Paper
Goods Co. of Cincinnati. Beside
that, he is a grandson of the late
John S. Sayward. one of the former
proprietors of the Kennebec Journal
and thus can be counted Maine
man. coming as he does from Maine
stock. The report sent on from
Cleveland that l was candidate was
utterly without foundation or au-
thorzation and the reporter. after an
interview with me in which 1 made
clear my position as a supporter of
Galbraith. promised to correct his
story. l regret that he did not keep
his word.
1T was also told in the same mis-
taken story that the Maine delega-
ton was not going to take any hand
in the bonus matter. That vas also
wrong, for the Maine delegation was
under instructions and was pledged
to support the four-fold adjusted
compensation bill as passed by the
Congress We therefore worked for
it and the convention approved it.
1t provides for four choices by the
soldier: /, land settlements covering
farms in all the states and not con-
fined to a few states; 2, home-ai to
encourage the purchase of homes in
either country or city; 3, vocation
training for all ex service persons de-
string it: 4. adjustment of compensa-
ton or final adjustment Of extra back
pay based on the length of service for
those not desiring to avail themselves
of any one of the previous three fea-
lures.
ut may be said here that 1 would
hardly be apt to oppose that measure.
having been one of the original COM
mittee on that subject and having
helped to draft the bill.
Then the matter of changing the
policy of the Legion on politics. Maine
brides herself that she haG something
tc do with the final action OF the con-
vention leaving the matter just where
it was, that is, keeping the Legion
wholly and absolutely out of politics
The committee reported the other
way, by vote Of 80 to 2, but the
minority made a strong report. 1t
was presented by James A. Boyle OF
/ Waterville, our State adjutant, and
he made a fine presentation, so much
so that when the matter was fought
out on the floor of the convention we
licked them about seven to one. That
shows something of the influence
Maine had and has.
The Maine delegation was also
solid for the Japanese exclusion legis-
lation. We believe that unless steps
are now taken to nip the matter in
the bud, that the Japanese question
will soon cause the United States nc
end of serious trouble. We believe in
acting now and took that unqualified
position. So did the rest Of the dele
gates, when the vote was taken.
I'VE had a splendid time. were
royalty entertained and the conven-
ton transacted more business in the
three days than Congress would have
in three months, yet am glad to be