New-York tribune., 1920-09-12
Legion Elects
Blakeslee as
State Leader
Ticket Headed by Bingham.
tom Man Wins After Bitter
Fight at Albany Conclave;
Deegan His Running Mate
Constitution Is Amended
Housing Investigation and
Bonus Bond Issue Are
Endorsed i'm Resolutions
(By The American Legion Editor of
The Tribune)

ALBANY, Sept. 11.-After as violent
a session as it ever has experienced, the
New York State department Of the
American Legion ended its two-day
convention here tonight with the cleo
tion of Charles G. Blakeslee, of Bing-
hamton, former national executive COM
mitteeman, as its new State Com
mander.
William F. Deegan, chairman Of
Bronx County, was swept into Office as
Blakeslee's running mate by a vote of
184 to 100. This ticket was victorious
after bitter fight waged by Albany
and Kings counties, with the assist
ance Of few smaller delegations from
upstate, who had as their candidates
Walter G. Ingalls,, Of Albany, for COM
mander, and Thomas F. Ward jr., Of
Brooklyn, for commander.
The rest Of the state ticket elected
follows: Scott Button, Of Schenectady,
second vice-commander; A. Bart Peter
son, Chautauqua, third vice-comamnd-
er; George F. Kelly, Westchester, state
adjutant; treasurer, no selection.
Committeeman Named
William R. Pooley, Of Buffalo, was
named national executive committee
man, with Henry w. Buxton, chairman
of New York County, as alternate.
Greater New York has two of the five
delegates-at-large to the national con-
vention in Cleveland on September 81,
2s and 20. They are Wade H. Hayes,
who retired to-day as state commander,
and James Pasta, commander of Wood
haven Post, Queens. The other dele
Putnam; Ransom H. Gillette, Columbia,
and Arthur T. Smith.
Probably the most heated debate of
the day, excluding that over the cleo
tion of officers, resulted from the effort
of the New York County delegation to
bring about revision Of the constitu-
tion whereby counties having large
memberships would be granted more
delegates at-large than those with
small enrollments. Prior to the fight
each county had four delegates at-large,
with an additional delegate for each
1000 members.
The smaller counties finally agreed
to a compromise. The amendment
passed provides that each county have
four egates-at-large and that each
ESQ members be entitled to an addi-
tional delegate, thereby increasing ma
terially the representation of the larger
counties and not reducing that of the
smaller ones.
Among the more important amend
ments made to the state constitution
are the following:
l. Abolishing the distinction between
officers and enlisted men, which pro-
vided that so per cent Of delegates to
all conventions be former men Of the
ranks.
2. Changing the titles of post officers
from president. vice-president and
mander and adjutant.
8. Repeating the provision for 1900
sustaining members.
a: Providing for election Of delegates
at large to state convention by district
delegations, instead of by the state
committee.
s. Providing for a department his
torian and chaplain, new Offices.
6. Providing that associate members
pay only such dues as are required
by individual posts.
The amendments met with some op-
position, but with the exception of
that dealing with the line of demar-
kation between officers and enlisted
men they were not contested vigorously.
Hayes to Head Delegation
Past Commander Hayes was named
chairman of the state delegation to
Cleveland. He will be accompanied by
the following Legionnaires from New
York and Bronx counties:
New York-Henry W. Buxton, Ray
Sawyer, Julia W. Wheelock, Anna B.
Duncan. DR.. H. w. Haynes, James M.
BLACKWELL, H. H. Brownlee, Henry s.
Miller, Nicholas Engel, DR.. Edward
Adams, S. G. Gumpertz, Irwin I.
Rackoff, L. M. Hunter, Harold NJ,
Schwab, Jesse S. Raphael, G. A. Holli-
day and L. A. Messerman.
Bronx--John Reidy and Harry w.
Boyce.
After the convention had elected
jamestown as the place for it's next
state conclave, it considered resolu-
tions which reflect the view of Che
Legion on questions of state and ma
tional Importance. Some Of those
adopted contain the following pro-
visions:
lnstructing the delegation to Cleve-
land to ask for reduction Of the per
capita tax to the national organization
to 25 cents.
That no charters shall be issued to
pests confined exclusively to business,
religious or fraternal organizations.
Calling the Legislature to pass the
concurrent resolution of civil service
preference for veterans.
Providing for the compulsory teach
ing Of American history and civil gov
ernment in all public and private
schools within the state, with an Amer
lean Legion committee to examine such
text books to determine whether thew
arc loyal
Demanding thorough investigation
OF the housing situation and legisla-
tion relieving the crisis.
indorsing universal training and the
prosecution of draft evaders and other
war offenders.
Demanding a reduction in war in
surance premiums.
Ordering all Legion officials to cam
paign for the bonus bond issues at the
polls in November.
Advocating the retirement Of all civil
service employees entitled to pensions,
and who served in the World War, at
the expiration Of twenty years. service
on one-half salary.
Proposing an amendment TO Che con-
stitution which will provide for a
standing committee on civil service.
Demanding that policemen, flsemen
and state policemen who served In the
war be permitted TO wear their cam
paign ribbons on their uniforms.
Resolutions Defeated
Resolutions which were defeated
were as foilowa.