New-York tribune., 1920-10-01
L. IN Asks
Dismissal of
Louis L. Post
Assistant Secretary Of La
bor Is Denounced as a
Serious Menace to Se-
curity'' at Convention
Democrats Lead Attack
Hard Boiled Smith Made
the ''Coat'' for Superior
Officers, 1t Is Charged
From a STAFF Corrcspondent

CLEVELAND, o., Sept 3O.-For the
first time in its history, the American
Legion to-day demanded the immed diate
dismissal from service of public of
fetal. He "a Louis f. Post, Assistant
Secretary ol Labor who is charged
N'th ing "seriou T., mace to public
'"c':rli, ~ on. Il, he remains in of
ice.
This drastic step, the first attempt
of the veterans to attack without res
ervation member of the Administra-
ton, indicates that the legion pur-
poses to fight harder for undiluted
Amerlcanism. The committee which
recommended the action after thor
ough investigation is composed of two
selt-avoWed Democrats and one Repub-
lcan.
Pass Drastic Resolution
A resolution denouncing Mr.. Post
was introduced at to-day's session of
the national executive committee, COM
posed Of the national officers and a
representative of each of the states
and territories, together with dele
gates from France, Belgium and the
British Isles. 1t follows:
"Whereas, In the report of our spe-
clal investigating committee, we are
convinced that Louis f. Post, Assistant
Secretary of Labor has beer guilty {
obstructing the enforcement of alien
deportation laws and that his continu-
alton in office is serious menace to
public security, now, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That we approve and
adopt the report of the investigating
committee and that the national com
mander be directed to take all steps
necessary to secure the dismissal of
the said Louis f. Post at the earliest
possible moment"
Fear which had been expressed by
some that the resolution would place
the Legion on record as being par
tisan, because the criticized official is
member of the Administration, was
dispelled when the fight was led by
several prominent Democrats. One of
these latter believed the action should
be postponed until after the election.
He said:
"There can be no question of the
truth of the facts offered. We offe
no defense for this man, or his
acts, but this subject is being iuvesti-
SdUeu ny d committee OF congress, Cne
committee has made no report, and
why should the Legion indict one party
because of facts that lead to conclu-
slons as to leaning toward Bolshevisf ?"
The suggestion of delay met with
vigorous opposition from several
prominent Southern Democrats One of
these was Emmet O'Neal, of Kentucky,
who was strong contender for the
post of national commander last year
Roy Hoffman, who is a leader in the
Democratic party in Oklahoma, de-
clared: This is an American organi-
zation, and we have determined what
we believe is right"
The report of the investigation
committee, composed OF NJ K. Cor
don, of Kentucky; Wilbur c. Hall,
Of Virginia, and Champion Har-
ris, of Alabama, dealt with the
acts Of Secretary Post in cancelling
deportation warrants issued against
avoWed anarchists, communists and
others. Several cases were cited in
which the committee charged the official
had nullifed the real purpose Ct the
law and that his acts showed a radical
tendency inimical to the principles of
Americanism.
Henry Weinberger, a lawyer of New
York City, was mentioned in the le-
Continued on page nIne)