The Topeka state journal., 1921-10-31
American Legion Convention
Starts Work Early.
Reports of Committees Follow
This Mornings Speeches.
<. C. OCCUPIED TERRITORY
Nearly All Allied Nations Rep
resented at Meeting.
Afternoon Session Given Over
to Big Allied War Chiefs.
(By the Associated Press)


Convention Hall, Kansas City, Mo,
Oct. 31.-Convention Hall, where the
national convention of the American
Legion opened its sessions today, was
early astir with delegates. Bands and
drum corps were blaring out military
music and haze of tobacco smoke
lent an Indian summer touch to the
bright colored decorations.
The buddies apparently in no way
discouraged by a night of milling"
shouting, singing, street corner re
unions. to the tune of motor sirens,
sidewalk dances and less marching
and countermarcing. began filling
the hall shortly after o'clock.
Many in Uniform.
A great many of the delegates and
visitors wore uniforms, apparently hav-
ing put them on for the duration of
the convention. Thousands of spec
tators came early and filled the arena
balcony and the gallery while the floor
of the hall was given over to the dele
Representative from Alaska, the
Canal zone, Hawaii. the Philippines,
Porto Rico, Turkey, Africa, France,
Spanish Honduras and the Brltlsh
Isles raised their standards on the
from every state.
Women in Red Cross workers cos
tunes here and there among the spec
tators were conspicuous in their white
dresses. with crimson crosses on cap
and sleeve.
Schumann- -Heink Sings.
Lifting the American flag high
above her head. Madame Ernestine
Schumann- Heink opened the con-
vention by singing the star Spangled
Banner"
Giving the invocation the Rev. John
w Inzer. of Chattanooga, Tenn, ma
tional chaplain, asked divine guidance
for the legion in bearing on the torch
of service and patriotism dropped by
thee who fell in the war
ayor James S. Cowgirl of Kansas
City. welcomed the legion in the name
of the city, and DIR. Harry F. Parker,
state commander of the legion in Mis-
souri,, made an address of welcome
Labor Speaker Cheered.
John l. Berry of Tennessee, speak
ing as the official representative of
the American Federation of Labor, told
the American Legion convention that
the federation stood shoulder to shoul-
der with the legion in its loyalty to
American ideals of government and in
opposition to "sovietization' of the
United States, and to direct action"
as a means of settling industrial dis
He was cheered wildly and immedi-
ateIy upOn the conclusion of his
speech the convention passed reso-
luton conveying to the American
Federation of Labor its appreciation
of the attitude expressed by Mr.. Berry.
Mr.. Berry, who is a member of the
Tennessee delegation to the legion
convention, announced, however. that
this morning he spoke as the official
representative of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor. and that his message
10 the legion came straight from Sam
l-e1 Gompers, president of the fedora
tion.
*. c. Is Occupied Territory.
Kansas City, No. oct. 31.-This city
found itself in occupied territory to-
day The invading hosts OF the
American Legion jammed the Gate
way of the West and the third annual
national convention of the legion
opened at $40 o'clock amidst the
greatest assemblage Of former serv-
ice men since the war
Meet your old buddie" was the slo-
aid for our disabled comrades"
was the chief business
Distinguished guests who had al
ready arrived were receiving midwest
hospitality. an open-handed, right
from the h a1rt welcome with formal
ity thrust into the background These
included Lieutenant General Baron
Jacques, Belgian war hero; Gen. Ar
mando Vitterio Diaz, Italian general7
issiuo, and Vice President Calvin F.
Coolidge, who arrived yesterday and
Admiral Earl Beatty. British naval
hero, Mai. Gel. John A. Lejeune,
United States marines. and Admiral
Robert E. Coontz, U. S. N, who ar
rived this morning.
Bir Chiefs Are En- Rroute.
The greatest welcoming demonstra-
tion. however, was not to break forth
until late today. Marshal Foch of
France and Gen. John J. Pershing.
together with Charles Bertrand of the
French chamber of deputies and a
delegation Of Washington notables VIII
arrive at $3.50 p. m. and the legion
hosts then will be "all present or ac-
counted for
The opening session of the conven-
ton was called to order by John C.
Emery. national commander. There
were $500 delegates and alternates
present on the floor of Convention
hail, while the galleries of the spa
cious building were packed with thou
sands. Every state was represented
while delegates were also present from
Hawaii. the Philippines, Alaska and
from legion posts in South America,
France. England. Canada and Italy.
Hurry to Business Program.
Business began with dispatch soon
as the welcoming addresses and re-
sponses We're concluded. The morning
(COntinHed on Page Severn