The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1920-09-29
LEGION FAVORS STRICT
NEUTRALITY ON THE
LABOR QUESTION
Resolution Pledges Support to Con-
stitution and Expresses Sym
pathy for President Wilson
GEN. WOOD CALLED TO FLOOR
Says Peace of World Depends on
Friendship of America, England
and France.

nual convention of the American Le-
gion, in session here today, underwent
a barrage of resolutions and commit
tee reports, and then, when adjourn
ment was taken this evening after a
nine-hour session there were several
committees to be heard, reports of
which will be brought up tomorrow
morning.
The stand of the legion in regard to
organized labor was not mentioned in
the report of the committee on reso-
lutions. However, minority report
was submitted, which recommended
that the American Legion reitcrate it's
well-known position, that it has no
participation in controversies between
capital and labor. The American Le-
gion is not opposed to organized labor
when it conducts itself, as we believe
it normally does, in conformity with
law and order"
Heated discussion followed and the
minority report was finally amended
SO that the last sentence was elimi-
some members taking the position
that the American Legion need not
make any statement on the subject,
as the conduct Of the organization had
been such that there was no question
where it stood. Others contcnded
that people censurcd the legion be-
cause they did not know the exact
stand taken on this mater.
D'Olier's Stand Endorsed
However, n substitute for the minor
ity report was read by California and
adopted by the convention, stating
chat this convention endorse the
statement recently issued by the ma
tional commander, Franklin D'Olier.
and accepts that statement as the le
gion's Interpretation of it's position
in regard to organized labor"
The attitude of the national com
mandcr has been that of "strct ncu-
organized labor. This "strict neutral
ity" is what all factions wanted, the
bone of contention being as to whether
on not it should be read into the rec
cords.
The stand Of the legion regarding
politics was not brought, up today.
The chairman of the committee on
constitutional amendments reported
that they had rot reached a decision
on this question, but would bring it
tomorrow.
When the report Of the committee
on constitution amendments regard
ing political restrictions is brought
up before the convention tomorrow
article Is probably will be the cen
ter Of q stormy attack. If, as article
IS provides, the report Of the com
mittcc is read and then acted upon
by the convention twenty-iour hours
later, that will put the convention
in session on Thursday, while the
convention is supposed to close tomor-
row. On the other hand, the matter
being brought up at that late houl
may be declared illegal or out Of or
der, and die natural death.
The first resolution submitted was
a message to President Wilson. cx.
pressing "snccre sympathy for hin
in his present suffering afiiictior
and reteratc to him our unalterablt
determination TO support and uphold
the principles and Constitution of oul
country" 1t was unanimously passed
by rising vote.
French Party Enters
BY a happy coincident, just as th<
poppy had been recommended ant
adopted as the memorial flower of the
American Legion, Gen. Marie Fayollt
and his party entered the convention
hall. Five minutes Of cheering inter
rupted the meeting and the nationa
commander declared the regular order
Of business temporarily suspended
Francis e. Drake, commander of Pari:
Post No. l. introduced Gen. FayOllc
The general made a brief address.
Sir Admiral w. S. Grant, of tht
royal navy of Great Britain then ad
dressed the convention. AS he en-
tered there came cries Of "Wood
~ Wood" for Gen. Leonard Wood, VIII