The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-09-27
AMERICAN LEGI0NNAIRES
ASSEMBLED AT CIEVELANIS

AMERICAN LEGIONNAIRES
ASSEMBLED AT CLEVELANIs
CONTINUED from Page One)
mems auxiliary 10 that place Of dig
nifty ana importance TO which it Justly
- entitled"
Helped Adjudication Of Claim
The service division Of national
headquarters, the report continued, has
obtained the adjudication Of claims
aggregating more than $3.50 900 in
favor OF ex-service men. This sum
however, the national adjutant con-
tinued, is but 1.-THE Of the tota!
claims the legion has settled in favor
Of veterans since national headquar-
ters has handled only complicated
Individual cases. Service bureaus have
been set UP in every state and service
officers appointed in more than 5000
posts. From these offices majority
OF the claims have been handled.
These claims have been Of endless va
riety. including back pay, bonus (sG0
payable on discharge). Liberty bonds
paid for but not delivered, allotments
and allowances and insurance.
One Of the material advantages Of
membership in the legion, Mr.. Bolles
said, is Indicated by the fact that
records show incoming claims from
non-members are as great as ever,
while there has been a marked de-
crease in the number Of claims
filed by legionnaires. indicating that
most legion members have squared
their accounts with the government.
Ry cooperating with the War Risk
Insurance Bureau and the federal
board OF vocational training the legion
has adjusted thousands Of insurance
claims and enabled thousands Of dis
sbled veterans to enjoy the benefits
Of vocational training AT federal ex-
pense
Aside from the interest on the s4oo,-
900 Y. NJ C. a. fund national head
quarters only source Of revenue has
been national dues and profits from
sApe sale Of emb'ems the national ad-
tutant reported. The latter amounts
20 nearly 100000 The legion has
been obligated to institute several
court actions to protect itself in its
right 10 be sole manufacturer and
seller Of legion insignia. The Ameri-
can Legion Weekly, the report stated.
has turned from the loss TO the profit
side Of the ledger and promises
shortly 70 wipe out all previous deficit.
Address Of National Commander
Cleevland. O.. Sept. 27.-The great
est single service American Legion
members have rendered their country
is their "vrile stand for the mainte-
nance Of law and order" Franklin
pOlier. national commander of the
American Legion, told the second an
nual convention Of the legion at its
opening session here today.
I'VE quickly served in no uncertain
terms upon those wild radicals who
would BY force attempt 10 injure those
very institutions we had risked our
lives TO protect" Commander D'olier
said. I'VE stated plainly we were
ready for them and could meet their
force with far greater force suffi-
cient to stop them Instantly
During these present days Of un-
rest and readjustment, the American
Legion and the stand of the ex-service
man for law and order Is the great
est possible insurance policy our
country could possibly have. and the
only insurance premium the ex-serv-
ice man expect in return is simply
fair pay from that government with
which ne has played so fair"
Commander DOler's aAddress Follows
During the month Of November
last year in the city Of Minneapolis
there was held the first national con-
vention Of the American Legion.
When the temporary organizations
arising cut OF the Paris meeting in
March and the 81. Louis meeting in
May. 1919, were made permanent, n
con-titutcn adopted. policies determ-
inei and the first national officers
eleo' Cd &c direct the work OF the
nrtional organization during the year
10 follow"
Determine Future Policies
To-day We are assembled together
in cur second national convention
where you are TO receive reports as
10 the results accomplished by the
national organization during this frs:
year OF our existence and based upon
these results. to determine the poll
cies Of the leyon during the coming
year and 10 elect national officers TO
administer your organization and 10
put in:o effect your decisions"
&c 1ts Oh he
that at the Paris meeting the idea
ol veterans organization was frs
seriously considered in big way
and the name American Legion heard
for the first time. Since tina. day
cur organization has grown so rapidly
that in every state and in every
community throughout the length and
breadth Of this land the name Ameri-
can Legion stands for the highest
ideals and most wonderful spiri, Of
uns.lfsh service shown by every
man and woman IL the army. navy
and marine corps during the world
war.
Phenomenal Growth
The rapid growth Of the legion
has been phenomenal. Such a thing
has never happened before in either
this or any other country. This great
growth has been due first TO TO the
fscS that our deals as laid down
last year are now proven 10 be not
only night but also practical. and
second TO the spontaneous desire Of
nearly every veteran Of the world
war TO keep alive his wonderful spirl;
.. service to his country and service
to his comrades, and third. TO the
sound OF unsefish leadership OF the
little groups ot willing workers in
ever community who appreciate the
am Junt Of work necessary TO make