New-York tribune., 1920-10-04
Legion's Divorce From
Politics Is Assured bv
Action at Cleveland
National Convention
Opinion Prevails That
the New Commander.
+. W. Calbraitln, Will
Make Splendid Record
By Frank !. Price L.

1t is to be expected that tho sol,
topic for discussion among all mem.
oers OF the American Legion. whateve,
Inelr state, at this time is the M.
ssaonai convention just caosed at Cleve.
asking is: N'' axe
nat did it accomplish? ?'
:. nrieiiy, the national convention OF
tl the Ame mean Legion will go down in
.he history of the organization "a q
.qehoerative body of unusual construc-
i've merit. The paramount issues with
tne american soldier, sailor and ma
Iine; who fought the great war. were
tackled with intelligence and fearless
ness the Legion placing itself on rec
olu IN each instance without reserva-
LOIS our OF the important questions
were debated and decided with results
mat probably will win a host Of new
Arlends Tor the veterans. They are;
l. ADJUSTED compensation.
2. Political activity.
8. Care for the wounded and dis
4. The selection of a national com
mander
Ihc first issue was disposed of bv
a unanimous Endorsement OF the four
1oid plan drawn up and fought for in
ETohgress last session by the national
Executive and Legislative Committees
thus proving that the Legionnaires are
prepared to war to the bitter end for
those things to which they believe they
are entitled. '''''
AS for political activity, no person
could doubt for an instant. had he
heard the intensely sincere debate on
tne tne issue, that the Legion is forever
oigUrced 1,, from partisan politics.
me entire tight on this question
cehtered rot on whether the Legion
should amend its constitution. which
restricts political activity, but whether
the convention should adopt a resoin-
tlon when empowered the national ex
ecutive committee TO "suggest" which
candidates should be indorsed and
winch should be opposed by the LEGION
vast majority fought this measure
tooth and nail, insisting that the Amer
3can veteran has his own brains and
knows how to use them when the
question of candidates. qualifications
arises 1T would appear from the de-
organization is forever to be free from
any taint of partisan patronage.
AS for the action taken in regard
TO the wars victimscthose who arc
wounded and disabled-the resolutions
adopted on that question cover every
possible phase Of the issue ana Simply
reatilrm the organizations determina
tion to see that such veterans receive
Square deal"
In the selection of national COM
mander, it appears now that an exceed
ingly wise choice was made. Frederick
w. Galbraith, OF Cincinnati, is the man
so honofed, and much misgiving was
voiced mmediately after his election
that he might prove too mild a leader.
Such criticism is far from true. if his
statements to newspaper men on the
night of the last day of the conven-
tion mean anything. He received cor
respondents in conference, and the i'm
preston gained bv them was that he
will make splendid record in his new
office.
To begin with, Commander Gilbraith
is an executive and organizer of proved
ability and he likewise has an army |
record which indicates that when he
goes to Washington in the Legions in
terests he will not hesitate to realize
that he represents 100000 American
fighters. AS q soldier he won the Dis
tinguished Service Cross and twice re-
ceived the Croix de Guerre, once with