Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-09-30
Cincinnati
Nan Named.
LegonHead
J. W. Calbraith, Jr., Unani-
mously Elected National
Commander at Closing
Session of Convention.
OPPOSE Picture Brides

b.aith, Jr. OF Cincinnati was unani-
mously elected national commander
of the American Legion today at the
closing session of its second annual
convention. Galbraitl, received the
majority necessary for choice on the
second ballot, his closest opponents
being Hanford McNider OF Iowa
and J. F. J. Herbert of Massa-
chusetts.
Upon motion OF McNider. Sec
onded by Herbert. the election of
Galbraith was declared unanimous.
The passing OF a resolution which
p1ts the legion on record as being
IN favor of the rigorous exclusion OF
> japanese as immigrants, cancellation
OF the so-called "gentlemen's" agree
inent witt, Japan, the exclusion OF
picture brides" and the decision OF
the convention to accept policy of
strict neutrality" in regard to po-
,y.itical questions were the predomi-
II Eating questions acted upon.
II The Japanese question came up
\ when the committee on American
Nation presented its report. This
report stated:
Oppose Japanese Pact.
BE it resolved that we 80 on
record as being in favor of the cam
collation. of the socalied 'gentlemen's
agreement with Japan; exclusion Of
picture brides and rigorous exclu-
, sion OF Japanese as immigrants;
And that we enter vigorous
protest against the demand of Japan
that naturalization rights be granted
TO its nationals now located in the
United States, and that we earnest
ly request the state department of
the United States, in its settlement
Of this question. not to consider any
proposition which will grant rights
of naturalization to this unassimil-
able people"
The resolution was adopted as
read, but it created a stormy debate.
It being necessary for the sergeant
alarms and his assistants to quell
the delegates several times. 1t was
explained by Leonard Wilmington OF
Hawaii, chairman of the committee
that this report was only reitera-
.ion of the action of the 1919 con-
vention for "the abrogation OF the
so-cailed gent!emen's agreement"
the exclusion of picture brides and
the exclusion OF all Japanese" but
that the question of constitutional
amendment which might strip cit
, izenship from persons of Oriental
descent already citizens, or prospec-
tive citizens, on account OF American
birth, with all other phases of the
problem, should go to a committee,
which would report to the 1921 con-
vention.. The strongest opposition
camel rom New York.
Urge Americanization.
On recommendation of the Amer
icanization committee, the conven.
iion voted that the National Amer
icanization commission be adequate
ly financed that is activities be con-
centrated OH a nationwide educa-
tional, Americanization and pro-
American work and propaganda, anu
that It's office be moved from New
York to legion headquarters at In
dianapolis.
Other outstanding features of the
request adopted by by the cohven-
lion were:
Urging congress Nal study of
labor needs of Hawai-: in view of
the need for adequate supply with
Japanese immigration cut off,,
Commencing the work of the De-
partment OF Hawaii in securing pref
erence for American citizens in enl-
ployment and demanding citizen
labor on federal work.
Urging that colleges give ell
trance credit for work in American
history and civil government and
that these subjects be taught in ele-
mentary and high schools and re-
quired for graduation.
Urging legion posts to see that
all members of the legion qualify
for and exercise the right of suf-
irage.
y Favoring many Americanism ac-
tivities. including work for and
among immigrants, for school chill
dren and among aliens within the
United States.