Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-04-23

The men who gathered at that event
full meeting did many important things,
including the selection Of a home for
the new patriotic organization. They
called it the American Legion, and
under that name 1t will go down in
the patriotic history of the United
States.
The caucus also named a committee
of fifteen to work in the United States
and to plan for a national meeting
within year. This committee came
home and caucus was arranged for
at st. Louis, May 8.
The st. Louis meeting was a revela-
ton. There several hundred men who
had served their country at home and
abroad met and, forgetting both creed
and politics. worked to inject the prin.
ciples of Americanism in one great
movement, the American Legion. At
this meeting joint executive CON-
mittee was formed by men of "a states
with units In the Legion This COM
mittee formulated a basis for perma-
nent organization and agreed that a
constitutional convention Of the Le-
gion would be held In Minneapolis in
November. An organization commit
tee of five was appointed to complete
plans for the Minneapolis meeting.
This committee was composed of
Henry D. Lindsey of Texas, Bennett
Z. Clark Of Missouri, Franklin D'Olier
OF pennsylvania, DR.. Richard Derby of
New York, and Eric Fisher Wood of
pennsylvania. Mr.. Lindsey was
chosen chairman of the committee and
because of that service and his sub
sequent work as chairman of the Min
neapolis convention, the title of first
commander Of the American Legion
was conferred on him. Mr.. Wood was
named the secretary. One important
step taken at the St. Louis meeting
was that of asking the congress of
the United States for a charter. This
request was intrusted to Luke Lea
ana Thomas w. Miller. The measure
was introduced in both houses June
y. last year. 1t passed the house of
representatives August 81 and the sen.
ate September 5. President Wilson
signed the charter September 10. COM
nIeting the work Of granting a charter
the first ever granted to an organiza.
ton of the nature Of the American
| Legion The legislative committee Of
/ the Legion also placed before the con-
gresS many other important leglsla.
tive matters, including bills covering
lana grants for former service men.
bills dealing with the question of the
/ deportation of alien Slackers and other
matters Of Interest to men of the Le-
giOn
Important steps taken at the ST
Louis meeting provided for the omen.
ing of national Headquarters in New
York and for the publication of
weekly periodical that would be Of in.
terest to former service men. Plans
also were made To have three well.
1 known men Of the legion visit different
parts of the country to further the in
/ terestS of the new o,Llnization. The
/ men chosen were Theodore Roosevelt.
/ Jr" John Z. j. Herbert and John w.
-''@<oAF AhtNS Hldue tours or the C0un-
/ try to advance the organization of
/ local posts. When the American Lee
/ gion met in Minneapolis the member.
ship had passed the 100000 mark, and
1t was predicted that the million mark
would be reached in a few months.
There now are more than 5000 Amer
lean Legion posts in the United States,
Alaska. Cuba and Hawaii
Franklin D'OHer of PENNSYLVANIA is
! the new commander of the American
! Legion. He, with other new officers
Of the Legion have opened headquar-
tiers offices Of the Legion In Indian
apolis. And Indianapolis and Indiana.
feeling a joint pride in the honor paid
the state by the American Legion, vel
comes them. When they came they
heard that Indianapolis was preparing
70 erect a memorial to her lighting
sons that will serve not only as home
for the American Legion, but for other
patriotic bodies, including the veterans
OF the Grand Army of the Republic
and the Spanish-American war.