The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-10-14
FRANK r. JEFFREY.

In a few states In the union has the
American Legion shown the same
healthy growth and increasing influ-
ence that have developed in Washing
ton during the past year under the
leadership of Frank R. Jeffrey OF
Kennewick. Handicapped by the fact
that his residence was somewhat dis
tant from the center of legion activ-
titles for the state and by the urgent
necessity of earning livelihood In
the practice of law, Mr.. Jeffrey new
ertheless has devoted tremendous
amount of time and energy to the at
fairs of the American Legion, de-
votion which is appreciated sincere
~ by his comrades in the organiza-
ton.
It was not an easy tenure Of office
held by Mr.. Jeffrey. The American
Legion was still in partial process of
formation. 1t had not been stabilized
and the problems of early organiza-
ton all were to be met. Early in his
term as commander, The American
Legion in Washington met the crisis
of Centralia's Armistice Day massa-
ere and. acquitted itself in a manner
to its eternal credit. Then, there was
the fight to be made for the soldiers
bonus, won before the Washington
legislature by the organized forces of
the Legion.
Commander Jeffrey was fortunate
during his regime in having an excep-
tionally able lieutenant in the person
of E. A. Klibba of Seattle, depart
ment adjutant finance affair. Mr..
Klebba attended to the detail work
and handled department headquarters
in the Crazy building, Seattle.
From 81 posts with total member
ship of 900, The American Legion in
Washington has increased dnring Mr..
Jeffrey's administration to an orga-
nization with 1872 posts, paid up MEM
bership of more than $4,000 and gross
enrolment of more than $4,000. That
is no little accomplishment in itself.
| Mr.. Jeffrey has made several trips
to Washington, d. c., in the interests
of the Department of Washington and
is we'll versed in the problems which
must be met by the league of world
war veterans. His efforts in behalf
of disabled veterans have been I'M
firing and his fight for adjusted COM
pensation, both state and nationally,
has been unceasing, once he was as
sured of the prevailing sentiment
among the ex-soldiers. sailors and ma
rines of his state.
] In his tours about the state Mr..
Jeffrey has done much to cement the
friendly relations between posts and
to direct the untried sentiment of the
legion in matters of interest to vet
Grams.
i Too much emphasis cannot be laid
upon paragraph in the farewell mes
sage Of Commander Jeffrey written
for The Pacific Legion.
81 would feel that l had not done
my whole duty if did not endeavor
to forcibly impress upon you the ne
cessity of electing only those men tc
}. departmental offices who are willing
. to give and will give such time and en-.
ergy as may be necessary to fulfill
the duties of the various Offices" HI
| writes. This is absolutely essentia
to the life of The American Legion il
! Washington. Popularity alone is no
the standard of measurement for de
partmental officers. The officers
must be able and willing to SPAR
many hours from their personal aft
fairs in the service of The American
Legion. For this service they can ex
pect little recognition from thei
comrades and no compensation saw
the sense of duty well done.
II Men who are willing to make sac
II rifices for The American Legion, TO
II the sake of the organization alone, no
the possibility of later preferment TO
themselves along political or bushes
n lines, are the sort of men to selec
II to guide the organization for the com
II ing year.
II If the choice of commander for 192
II is as wise as the selection for 1921
II the department of Washington WI
have able, conscientious leadershi
which should bring to The America
ii Joo;on new triumphs and create
prestige.-Editorial The Pacific Leg
ion.