New Britain herald., 1920-08-20
Gen. Edwards a GueSt-2OO
 Delegates Present
DISCUSSION ABOUT BONUS
Three Women Among "Buddics'- National Chaplain in Hospital as Result Of Accident-AppcaI Mndc to Stamp Out "Rottcn RadicuIism.-

Bridgeport Aug. 20.-Brigadier General Clarence R. Edwards arrived here this afternoon to be the guest of the American Legion. which earlier had met in It's second annual conven- ton for the Connecticut department. The general was met by a committee and escorted to the Stratheld hotel. where the delegates. many of whom served in tho Yankee Division. which General Edwards commanded over seas. were in waiting.
 Tho proceedings Of the morning reHssion showed n drift of sentiment toward favoring bonus to he paid Co ex-servtce men by the state simi- iar to that paid by other New Eng land states. Tt did not appear, when recess was taken at noon. that the convention would fail to go on record on the bonus proposition.
 The first session was attended by 200 dclegates representing 70 out Of the a2 posts. There were three wom- cn delegates. Department Command ar Philo c. Calhoun, of Bridgeport. opened tho session and announced the program. especially that which pro- vidcd for entertainment. Letters of regret at inability to he present were road from Chief Justice Wheeler, former President W. Fl. Taft and Governor Holcomb. Rev. Francis A. Kelly. the national chaplain. wrote that he E still in the hospital from tho effects of an automobile accident R. c. Jone@, head Of the War Risk inSurance Bureau. wired that he will ibe present. tomorrow. Colonel Moe, of Springfield. Mass. on re- -rsitinx service. spoke to the dele Entcs of the fine fellowship which ex- tstod between tho regular army and tho Legion, and he asked all to give cordai cooperation to the efforts made to stamp out rotten radical Ism" which he said was abroad in the land. He asked the delegates to 'thipt just as we'll of the men of the reguiar army us the men think of Legion members.
 Mayor Wilson came in and cxtend- cd the welcome of tho city and also made a short address on patriotism. He was cheercd and this was renewed when a delegate in tho rear yelled "our next governor.
 Alfred N. Phillips. IT.. of stamford. Hrrt department commander. sounded the first note on the bonus question when he said the Legion had been split on tho bonus question Said he:
 let us not bo separated or havo disunity in our organization even though outside forces are working to bring it about. Now moro than ever must we have powerful leaders whom &.s. FNIIA-.w arlr can be carried on."
 The convention recessed to choose chairmen for the districts. which dis tricts are: First. Hartford county md posts i4 and 62. second, New Haven county and post ss: third. Fnirfield county: fourth. windham and Holland counties: fifth. New Lon don county; sixth. ILtchheld county: seventh, Middlesex county.
 Resolutions were called for upon resumtng business. although action will not be taken on them until later. Several demand cash bonuses.
 Bonus From state
 The one favored among these by many delegates is that which would demand si0o to he paid by the state. Another resolution provides that each post shall appoint a committee to in- terviaw each representative and sena- tor to find out their attitude on the bonus question before election. The Bridgeport delegates announced that they will fight the cash bonus plan with a resolution drawn up by pr Frederic c. Adams of Bridgeport. formerly A major in the United States army. which calls for prepayment 20 year endowment policies for each ex- service man. the amount to be in pro- portion to his term of service and in lieu of a cash payment
 Among other resolutions arc these:
 To change armistice day to legion day; to place the Legion on record as equally fnvoring organized labor as organized capital: to require reviews af courts martial proceedings except Tn serious cases that men serving terms for minor ofrensee may be re- leased and restored to duty: that a branch of the war risk insurance bureau be established in Connecticut: thanking the Elks for the f250.000 gift for vocational training: requiring the removal of bodies of alien enemies from national cemeteries and proper intermont elsewhere.
 Contest for Commandcr
 The contest for department com ninnder became active. the leading candidates being John F. Pickett of Ansonin: Charles F. Lockhart of New Haven. Major Morris Pain of New London. and Justice FenneIl of Stnr,-
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