The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-27
NOISY WELCOME

Continued from Page onel
1850 women's pots have been formed,
he said.
Robert H Tindall. national treas
urer, reported that the assets of the
legion are now s4.4OO above liabilities.
The national legislative report marked
progress on welfare bills.
Commander D'Olier's address sum-
married. the Legion's successful fight
in congress for the fouF-fold optional
compensation plan which yet remains
to be passed on by the senate D'Olier
mplfmented the Legion for it's nom
political and nonsectarian complexio |.
Many Messages of Greeting.
Messages from President Wilson,
Marshal Foch, General Pershing, Sena-
tor Harding, Governor Cox, Secretary
of War Baker and Secretary of the
Navy Daniels were read
Colonel McQuigg, marshal of the
parade, said he expected 10000 men
in line. More than forty bands will
participate. 1t began to rain at noon,
but the order is to march, rain or
shine.
Nearly All in Uniform.
From all points of the compass,
from every state and nearly every cftv
and town in>the Union, they came to
attend the second annual convention
Comparatively few were in citizens
attire; the majority proudly wore uni
forms halloWed by the service on a
dozen fields of battle. Before the con-
vention closes Wednesday night legion
officials expect the attendance to
climb to the 5000 mark
The heart of the city early assumed
i the appearance of a great army con-
centration camp. Uniformed men out
numbered civilians. They jammed the
stores, sidewalks, and overlooked into
the streets Side streets were peopled
| thickly with quick-stepping veterans
hurrying to their appointed places for
the great parade scheduled for early
in the afternoon.
Nmerous resolutions will be sub
mitted by the various state posts. They
VIII deal largely with the economic
and political welfare of the returned
I soldier. The legion's four-fold OPP
tional plan of compensation is ex-
lpected to be the chief topic of discus
sion. A measure for better care for
against legion members participating
| in industrial disputes rank next in i'm
portance. The industrial disputes
measure will probably precipitate a
bitter battle on the floor of the con-
vention, as it was indicated its advo-
Gates and opponents have taken an
equally determined stand.
Politics Subject of Fight.
Strenuous controversy was expected
over the political restriction clause in
1.-THE legion constitution. Strong objec-
| ton to the n-politicaI character of
the legion has developed. Demands
are being made by members of posts
in some parts of the country for repeal
of this clause.
| Commander D'Olier holds that the
various parts can take any steps neces-
sary to keep out of public office any
| Ind fxrfIf r-rIa n-6 III G.
loyal and unpatriotic, without conflict
| ing with the spirit or letter of the
| legion constitutions
The delegates are expected to pass
resolutions calling on the war depart
| ment and the department of justice
for rigorous prosecution of those who
evaded their military duty.
Many Questions Are Up.
Means of curbing the activities OF
violent radical orga nizations; treat
nent of alien slackerss the immigra-
ton question in general and the Jap
anese question in particular: Ameri-
canism; better schools; universal mill
tary training; women in the legion
and its auxiliaries; rules for eligibility
to- the organization and prosecution OF
those who fraudulently wear legion in
sigma are among the questions that
| are sure to come up.
Most of the 81 living men who re-
ceived the congressional medal Of
honor-the most difficult of all mill
| tary decorations to obtain-were ex-
| pected to attend. Arrangements have
been made by the legion to pay all the
| expenses of congressional medal men
who wish to make the trip.
Get Loud Welcome.
! Cleveland welcomed the veterans
with shrieking Of factory and steam
boat whistles, bands and beribboned
| Committees, homes and stores and Of
flee buildings were swathed in millions
of feet of flags and bunting; every
| where the glad hand of greeting met
the visitors. A large fund has beer
| appropriated for the entertainment OF
| the veterans They will be fed, the
| altered, danced, fed taken on lake ex-
cursions and provided with a series OF
boxing and other athletic exhibitions
Many posts and state delegations
plan novel stunts. Philadelphia dele
gates, 1000 strong, will come to Cleve-
land in box cars lebeled 40 hQmmes
| 8 cheveaux." A Detroit post will send
1000 members on q lake steamer
which will be their home during the
three days of the convention. The
Montana delegates plan several sur
prises, designed to startle the native:
of the east and middle west.
The convention program calls fol
reports from national officers ano
committees the first day. Temporary
committees will bring their resolution:
to the floor of the convention the sec
ond day and officers will be elected
the third day.