The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-02
.LEGIONN AIRES IN
SLAP AT HARDING
ON BONUS ISSUE
Pass Resolution Reaffirming
Adjusted Compensation Stand.
Convention MOdifies Resolution
of CenSure for Col. Harvey.
OKLAHOMAN NOW IN LEAD
Roy Hoffman, Oklahoma City,
Claims Majority at Convention.
New York Delegation With
draws It's ''FavOrite Son."
Convention MOdifies Resolution
of Censure for Col. Harvey.
OKLAHOMAN NOW IN LEAD

Kansas City, Mo. Nov. 2.--Criticis-
ing the opposition Of President Hard
ing and Secretary of the Treasury
Mellon, to the adjusteds compensation
bill now before congress, the Ameri-
can Legion convention adopted a re-
port today to urge immediate passage
of the act.
The report was read by National
Vice Commander James F. Serugham,
of the committee on legislation.
"The greatest opposition we have
had, have been letters from Secretary
of the Treasury Mellon and President
Harding" he stated.
Modify Harvey Slap
The convention rejected a report OF
its committee on resolutions castigat-
ing Col. George Harvey, American am
bassador to Great Britain and declar-
ing him unfit to hold office in the
American government. The vote to
table was SIS to 444, with fifty not
voting.
After the original Harvey resolution
had been tabled, a substitute Harvey
resolution was adopted. 1t was
Couched in less Caustic terms and was
adopted by unanimous vote. 1t stated
that Mr. HarVey's remarks did not
represent the sentiment of the Ameri-
can Legion people and was amended,
on motion of South Carolina, to omit
the title colonel in referring to Mr..
Harvey.
The resolution as passed provided
that a copy be sent Mr.. Harvey in
London. The substitute was adopted
after several delegates declared they
believed the original resolution lost
only because of its strong wording.
The action dealing with Ambassa-
4. Il s-1r fs-rE,A
on the floor in which Colonel Harvey
was severely arraigned and defended
by delegates
Made Late Start.
Although late in getting started, the
national convention of the American
legion in final session here raced thru
q large quantity of. routine business
this morning and cleared the way for
consideration of the report of the
committee on resolutions and the cleo
ton of officers. the outstanding fea-
lures on the concluding program.
The convention adopted a resolution
reaffirming the attitude taken by the
last national convention at Cleveland
relative to adjusted compensation.
The resolution reviewed the history of
the tentative bonus" legislation here
tofore sponsored by the legion. which
eliminated in the Sweet bill, passed
by the house of representatives at its
last regular session and rejected by
the senate upon the recommendation
of the president.
The resolution reaffirms the legion's
stand in favoring the passage of legis-
lation providing the same sort of ad-
iusted compensation which the Sweet
bill provided.
Addresses also were made at the
morning session by NJ. Charles Ber-
tram of France, commander of the In
terallied Veterans association, and r.
NJ. Maxwell, head of the Canadian
War Veterans association Both
brought messages of feliC;tation to the
legion from the respective countries
and from the organizations they rep
resent.
Accept AmericanizatiOn Report.
The Americanization committees
report was adopted section by section.
One clause urging that clemency be
not given Eugene V. Debs, serving
a sentence in the federal prison at
Atlanta. for violation of war time laws,
was adopted amid cheers. the conven-
ton rising and shouting its approval
Kisses were heard from thousands
when the name of Grover Bergdoll
was heard in a resolution Endorsing
the action of the alien property Gus
todian in confiscating the Bergdoll
property An amendment passed
called upon the American government
to endeavor to secure the return of
Bergdoll to America Immediately.
Another resolution scored radical
ism. Another opposed the tardoning
of Eugene Debs and any person con-
victed of treason.
The convention voted to urge the
exclusion of all aliens for from three
to five years. That blood tests of all
immigrants be taken was recon-
mended
The Legion reaffirmed it's position
on the Japanese question as voiced at
Cleveland last year. as recommending
exclusion of Orientals.-
The daisy was adopted as the
Legion flower instead of the poppy.
Americanization week. December 4 TO
December 10, was endorsed.
OkIahoman Claims Majority.
Delegations supporting Brig. Gen.
Roy Hoffman, of Oklahoma City,
Okla, for national commander OF the
American Legion claimed 775 votes for
: Hoffman before the final session of
the convention opened. Five hundred
and twenty-eight are necessary to
elect.
Kansas City. Mo-, Nov. 2.-Delega-
tions supporting Brig Gen. Roy Hoff-
man of Oklahoma City, Okla. for ma
tional commander of the American
Legion claimed 775 votes for Hoff-
man. before the final session of the
convention opened. Five hundred and
tWenty-eight are necessary to elect.
New York, it was said, had with
drawn State Commander William F.
Deegan, and was supporting Hoffman
with the assurance of midwest dele
gates that they would support DeegaH
next year. Hanford AcNider. of Iowa,
and John F. Williams of Missouri
were opposing General Hoffman.
Three of the distinguished visitors
here for the convention left early to-
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