The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-10-08
CINCINNATI MAN
NEW LEGION HEAD
SECOND ANNUAL CONVENTION
OF AMERICAN Ex-SOLDiERS
is ENDED IN CLEVELAND
POLITICAL POLICY NEUTRAL
Delegates Urge Exclusion OF Japanese
After Turbulent Debate.-Work
OF AUGMENTATION Committee
Is Endorsed by Legion

Cleveland, Sept. 30. - +. w. Gal
braith, Jr of Cincinnati was nnani-
mously elected national commander OF
the American legion yesterday at the
closing session OF It's second annual
convention Galbralth received the
ma jority necessary for choice on the
second ballot, his closest opponents
being Hanford McNlder of Iowa, and
J. +. Herbert of Massachusetts. Upon
motion Of Member, seconded by Her
bert, the election Of Galbraith then
was declared unanimous. The first
ballot east gave: Member, Iowa, 337
Galbraith, Ohio, 533; Herbert, Massa
chusetts, 233. Necessary for choice,
553.
The passing of a measure which puts
the American legion on record as be-
Ing In favor OF the rigorous exclu-
sion Of Japanese immigrants, cancella-
ton Of the so-called "genllemen's
agreement" with japanese, the exclu-
sion of picture brides and the deci-
sion OF the convention to continue Its
policy Of "strict neutrality in regard
To political questions, were the pre-
dominating questions acted on.
The Japanese question came up IN
the morning session when the com
mittee on Amerlcnnization presented
It's report stating "be it resolved that
we go on record rs being in favor of
the cancellation Of the so-called gentle
mems agreement" with Japan, exclu-
sion of picture brides and rigorous
| exclusion Of Japanese as immigrants
"And that we enter vigorous pro-
| test against the demand of Japan that
naturalization rights be granted to It's
nationals now located in the United
| States and that we earnestly request
| the state department of the United
| States In its settlement of this ques-
| ton not to consider any proposition
which VIII grant rights Of naturaliza-
| ton to this unassimilabe people"
The resolution was adopted as read,
but It created the stormlest debate
OF the session. 1t being necessary for
| the sergeant at arms and his assistants
To quell the delegates several times.
On recommendation of the Ameri
canization committee the convention
voted that the national Amerlcanisni
commission be adequately financed,
| that It's activities he concentrated on
nation wide educational, Americana
zation and pro-American work and
propaganda.
The fight during the afternoon came
| ON the question of political restrLc
| tlons. When the committee on ConSti-
| tutlonai amendments made it's report,
| II suggested IA few amendments 10 GER
| tain articles Of the constitution, the
| principal one being that mo person
shall be eligible for reelection To the
office of national commander or M
| tional Vice commander. The report
| was adopted. II did net mention poll
| ties In the discussion ON the question
! OF political restrictions the majority
| report recommended that the legion.
/ through It's organization, has the right
/ under It's charter and constitution 70
/ ascertain for The information Of Its
/ members The attitude of the candidates
+ for the public office toward such poll
| Giles and principles
| The minority report merely recon.
/ meu1ed that The report OF the ma
/ Ierlty be defeated"
| The debate which followed was nj
i most ms stormy rs that which followed
/ the presentation Of the Japanese Ques.
/ tlou, The vote stood G93 against the
/ majority report, and IL for It. As
/ The matter nov stands. the legion viii
/ pursue It's attitude Ia regard q po-
/ lltieal restrictions -"strict neutrality"
/ Vice commanders elected Included,
John q. Emery. Grand Rapids.
4 Mich: {. &, rendn, keno~ha. Wis.
i and J. 6. Serougham Reno, Ney. John
W, lnzer Of Montgomery. Ala. was
elected national chaplain.