Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1920-07-08
R. N. GIBSON
REELECTED
State Secretary of The American Le-
gion for the Third Time.

The annual State Convention of The
American Legion was held in Green
Bay, Wisconsin, Tuesday and Wednes-
day, June 10Th and 30th and from all
accounts was an epoch making affair.
The convention was held in the Or
pheum Theatre which was decor rated
with flags, bunting and American Lee
gion emblems. Upward of $50 cities
and towns in Wisconsin were repre-
sented by delegates, and about ten
thousand ex-soldiers were in attend
ance at the big pow-wow. Accredited
delegates from the Charles Hager-
strom Post No. 9 OF thsi city were,
Chester Severance, Frank Lynn, Frank
Noel, and Dr. F. x. Pomainville.
The constitution was adopted and
appropriate resolutions were offered
and accepted by the convention. The
resolution adopted regarding the edu
cational system in Wisconsin was one
of the constructive measures taken up
for discussion. Wisconsin as a state
stands thirty-third in line in all the
states in the union as regards its edu
cational standards.
The American Legion believes this
standard should be raised, and offer
ed practical means for doing this very
thing, and one of it's methods for ac-
complishing such results is better pay
for the teachers who have this impor-
tant matter in hand. The Americana
zation Committees report condemn
ing the radical elements for their ac-
tivities in advocating force and viol-
ence 20 overthrow this government was
adopted, and the convention went on
record with a whoop to uphold and
defend the constitution of the United
States, and the state of Wisconsin, to
maintain law and order, and to combat
these radicals with kindness and log
ic first and force if necessary.
The election. of officers was spirit
ed and business like The officers
elected to guide the destinies of the
American Legion for the ensuing year
were: Claudius G. Pendill, Kenosha,
Department Commander, James A.
Askew, Milwaukee, Vice-Commander,
Richard M Gibson, Grand Rapids, De-
partment Adjutant, R. M. Rieser, Su-
perior, Department Finance Officer,
Patrick T. Stone, Wausau, Depart
ment Historian, Oakley L. Parkhill,
Abbottsford, Department Master-at-
Arms, and Rev. Peter L. Johnson, Ma
Olson, Department Chaplain.
The Department Adjutant, R. M.
Gibson of this city, was the only off
Ger reelected at the convention. Mr..
Gibson was first elected State Secre-
tary of the American Legion at the
first big American Legion convention
held in st. Louis, Mo-, May 10, 1918.
He was reelected State Adjutant at
the first annual convention of The A
merican Legion held in Milwaukee
September 1st, 1918 and also reelected
at Green Bay last week IN the second
annual convention. This is a compli-
ment in which Mr. Gibson's many
friends will share. 1t means great
things for Grand Rapids the coming
year, while Mr.. Gibson is at the head
as secretary. It means great growth
| in the mail service. 1t means the COM
ing to this city of many men in the
| work to consult and advise with Mr.
| Gibson. Grand Rapids is proud of
/ Mr.. Gibson as one Of her leading
citizens who stands so we'll and fav-
orably in the counsel of The Ameri-
can Legion. This will mean more
to this city than what now ppaars
on the surface for in every corner of
the State, Grand Rapids will be well
and favorably known by having the
/ Office of secretary in this this city. We