The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-25
BILLINCSLEY
HEADS LEGION
ilAMIAN IS ELECTED coMMAN-
DER OF FLORIDA DEPART
MENT-LEGloN OPPOSES CASH
4 BONUS.

Hon. Jesse L. Billingsley of Miami
leads the Florida American Legion
or 1921, as the result of the election
t officers at the convention which
las just closed. The Legion has gone
m record as being opposed to any
orm of cash bonus, believing thats the
,assage of such legislation would be
commercialize patriotic service.
Other officers elected we're: DR.. S.
I. M. Kennedy, vice-commander; S.
:. Lowry, Tampa, adjutant, re-elect-
ID; T. l.. Kendrick, finance officer;
Clark Jones, historian; Jack Blizzard.
Stuart, master-at-arms Lucius Spen-
:er, Orlando, chaplain; E. r. Priest,
Campo, delegate to national conyen-
ion; DIR. Davis Forester, Punta Cor
la, national committeeman; w. B.
Swift and L. p. Lynch. trustees.
Orlando was selected as the next
Meeting place of the Florida depart
nent.
The American Legion. Department
If Florida, went on record at the sec
md session of it's second annual con-
yention, as being opposed to any legis-
alton which had as an incorporation
anything suggestive of cash bonus.
The resolution was introduced by j. l..
Billingsley of Miami, who in well
worded talk gave his reasons for be-
ng opposed to this form of compensa-
ion.
His speech was much along the
ines OF merchandising of the service
and on several points he won consid-
~ ~ge T.
ing for the Tampa post. took up the
question with Mr.. Billingsley, and
stated that his post had instructed
aim to vote for the bonus, and he was
making his fight on these grounds.
He gave his reasons for favoring a
bonus, and told OF the men who re-
NAMED behind and made fat salaries
off the products OF the war.
State Commander Blanding took
the floor and stated that he did not
care to be classed with such men as
did not do their duty to the country,
and he was unalterably opposed to
any such compensation, as it would
make him feel as il he had been paid
by the government for having rem
dered patriotic duty. His speech was
greeted with a rousing cheer and the
question being put to vote carried
81 for the resolution and 80 against.
Orlando Gets Next Meeting.
Orlando was selected as the next
place for the convention. ST.
Augustine also invited the convention.
The vote was Orlando So, and St. Au-
gustine 80. A motion was made and
seconded that it be made unanimous
for Orlando. This carried.
Judge j. L. Billingsley, OF Miami,
was elected department commander.
The name of Vivian b. Collins was
placed in nomination, but Mr.. COL
Inns stated that he could not accept
the office should he be elected and
he requested that his name be with
drawn. This was done and Judge
was unanimously elected.
Other officers were then elected.
That the department of Florida is
to make a war on the high price of
sugar is readily seen by the action of
the delegates in their hearty support
of the following resolution presented
by the Palm Beach delegation:
Whereas the price of sugar has adj
vanced, in nine months, from 10 cents
to 35 cents per pound. and there is a
price range from 10 cents per pound
to is cents per pound in various parts
of the country, and even in the same
city, therefore it is evident that the
surplus supply is id the hands of spec.
ulators,
Therefore, be 1t resolved that this
go on record as condemn
ing this unparalleled prcfiteering and
that the several posts be urged to cir
cuiate petitions among the citizens
adjacent to their home posts, thaa
after July the signers pledge them
selves to reduce their consumption of
sugar and sugar products o the alb
solute lowest requirements until the
price of sugar has been reduced to Is
cents per pound"
HinIey Wanted to Broaden Resolution.
This resolution called for consider
able discussion and Joe Hinley sug-
gested that it should have incorpo-
rated cheaper lumber. liquor and ma.
val stores. This was in jest and
brought down the house with laugh
ter. The resolution was adopted with
loud cheering.
A resolution asking that all mat
tiers coming up before the national
body be referred to the posts for rat
before becoming a law was
defeated. This would have limited the
powers of the executive committee
and the concensus of opinion of the
was that the executive
of the national body should
not be interfered with unless it en-
croached upon post rights.
The amendment COMMITTEES led by
Harry c. Culbreath. OF Tampa, intro.
saced an amendment that article
seven OF the state constitution be
striker out. This article allows the
formation of other than straight
white posts. This amendment caused
discussion but was finally
adopted. This committee also sub
mitted resolution to the bylaws.
paying the state adjutant a salary OF
$4,000 per year, this salary to pay all
Necessary help and office expenses.