The courier-index., 1920-08-20
Lee Kelly Hedds
 Arkansds Legion

Helena, Aug. 17.-Lee Kelley of Fort Smith, was elected state com mander by the state convention of the American Legion here today.
 Pine Bluff won easily in it's fight for the 1921 convention. Little Rock, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Blytheville and Jonesboro wanted the convention, but their opposition finally was withdrawn and the hon. or wetn to Pine Bluff by unani- nous consent.
 The fight for state commander was spirited while it lasted. Pine Bluff threw it's strength to the Ft. lot and Kelly won with flattering vote. His opponents were Ebert Reynolds of Pine Bluff and Roy Penix of Jonesboro. The first bal lot stood: Kelly 104, Reynolds 82, Penix 25. There followed numer- ous conferences and when the sec ond ballot was taken the result was: Kelly TIT, Reynolds 93, Penix 1. Only 107 votes were necessary to elect.
 Woman First Vice Commander.
 Other officers elected were: First vice commander, Miss Susie Amer, Helena; other vice commanders, Will Walker, Paragould. Bob Rhodes, Wilson; I. J. Steefe, Little Rock; ]; department adjutant, Phillip E. Sisney, Hot Springs; treasurer, Jass Keith, Little Rock (re-elected) his- torian, John Pipkin, Arkadelphia chaplain, the Rev. Pat Murphy, Lake Village; national committeeman, Joe Morris, Stuttgart; alternate, Tom Poe, Little Rock. The election of Miss Amer to state office is unique as she is the first woman upon whom such an honor has been conferred by the Legion. She saw service overseas as Red Cross nurse and is a popular member of Richard L. Kitchens Post No. 41. She was the only woman delegate at the convention.
 Cash Bonus Is Defeated
 The bonus question, which was expected to be a bone of contention, was disposed of without difficulty and there was very little debate. The cash bonus lost by vote of 106 to 93, but resolution endors- ing vocational training and the farm loan feature was adopted. The convention adjourned at five o'clock.
 It was well-fed and much en- tertained aggregation of delegates which met in the Grand Opera house at o'clock this morning. There had been an open air ban quet at Beech Crest Park last night and a dance in the pavilion after ward. The delegates were fed fried chicken and every other appetizing thing that members of the Woman's Auxiliary of Richard L. Kitchens Post Number Al could think of, and most of them are used to preparing food for large gatherings of men. It is almost a weekly occurrence. They did not falter when called up- on to fill up bunch of extra ex- service men whose principle ambi- tion since returning home has been to forget prunes and corned willie. They forgot it last night and again tonight, when another banquet was served, followed by the inevitable dance in the park pavilion, to mus ic by what is said to be the best jazz band in the south.
 "Eats" and Dancing.
 Before the dance the delegates witnessed an eight-round boxing bout with Billie Haack of Memphis as the referee. The bout took place in the Beech Crest arena and lasted about 40 minutes.
 The convention was opened this morning with an invocation by the Rev. John w. Inzer of Chattanooga, former oversea chaplain, and pres ent national orator of the American Legion. Commander Harrison then read telegrams from Pine Bluff and Stuttgart, asking for the 1921 con- vention. Dr. c. w. Garrison of Lit tie Rock, state health officer, talked on health and sanitation.
 Other speakers of the morning were: Miss Amer, pr. Jack Kirk patrick of the state Y. M. c. A., w.. F. Dowdy of the board of vocation al training Dallas, Texas; Guy Tuck CT of Little Rock and William G. Noonan, representing the Bureau of War Risk Insurance.
 Reports of the committees on wei fare, finance, patriotism and leg islation were read and approved, af- ter which the election of a com- ,x,apdor uyoc tokan mn