Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-31
LEGION REVIEW
GIVES HISTORY
AND IT'S AIMS
Writer Describes Organization
From Birth in Paris to
Present Day.
POLICIES ARE OUTLINED
BY JAMES Z. DARsT.

The American Legion is an institution
Of service composed OF men and women
whose qualification for service TO their
country and their comrades is based on
their experience IN the fighting forces Of
the United States in the World War.
The desire for a veteran organiza,
ton was expressed Immediately after
the Amistice By all who were wearing
the uniform. Scores Of movements look
ing 10 the formation Of various veterans
societies were soon under way, but in
Il short time the American Legion was
recognized as the one big organization.
The legion was born at a meeting OF
twenty A. L. F. officers in Paris. in Feb
ruary, 1919. They called caucus of DEL
egates from all ranks OF all divisions
and noncombatant units. This gath
ering was in Paris in March. 1919, and
nearly ten thousand men IN uniform We're
present Milton 7. Foreman. of Chi
cago. presided. The name Of the organ
ization was chosen and ITS aims aad
objects outlined. An executive commit
tee Of one hundred was named. and part
Of this committee went 10 the United
States 10 spread the organization there
A caucus was called in May In 81. Louis.
The Paris plan was ratified and another
executive committee named. of which
Henry u. Lindsey Of Dallas. Texas. was
chosen chairman.
ORGANIZATION GROWS
RAPIDLY.
Temporary organization now went for
ward rapidly. and at the time OF the
first national convention held in Mime
apoIis, In November. nearly five thousand
POSTS had been formed and the member
ship was almost half a million. The
Minneapolis convention made permanent
.he temporary scheme OF organization,
adopted constitution. elected Franklin
D'OIier Of Philadelphia. National Com
mander. and in n series Of resolutions.
made known to the natI0a, the principles
FOR which former service men stood.
Permanent national headquarters were
located in indianapolis.
The American Legion Is now a growing
concern. viriIe and active, its members
determined 10 play an active role in all
public affairs. However, 4 clause in the
constitution stipulates that no caCdi-
date or incumbent Of salaried, elective
public Office, shall hold any Office in the
American Legion or any department or
post thereof" and the regulation Is
vigorously observed.
Delegates to the annual conventions
Of the legion are the rulers Of the organ
ization. At the first convention lines OF
future endeavor were marked out. The
delegates resolved;
FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS
OF DISABLED VETS.
To take vigorous action so that dis
abled veterans would obtain their dues.
To work for an adjustment Of compen-
sation for al who served.
To make 4 study OF the immigration
question. to prevent wholesale pardOns
Of slackers. TO urge the Cove nment to
reclaim barren lands, TO stand firm FOR
universal military training to preserve
absolute neutrality In all industrial dis
putes. TO combat destructive radicallsm-
Various permanent committees were
formed to carry out the mandates OF the
convention. a national legislative com
mittee was established in Washington:
an American Commission was established
70 study and disseminate patriotic In
formation: a Service Division was formed
to aid veterans N obtaining Govern
msnt benefits; a magazine. The American
Legion Weekly, was launched to reach
all members as well as the general pub
lie. These agencies Etill function effect
lively, and The American Legion Weekly
has become a sound financial project with
q circulation Of more than eight hun
dred thousand
The second national convention held
in Cleveland elected F. ". Galbraith.
Jr, national commander. Mr. Call
braIth's tragic death In Indianapolis
last June robbed the organization OF a
fearless leader. The convention also rati-
fed resolutions Of the preceding con-
Yention and took a strong stand IN favor
Of adjusted compensation
EMERY SUCCEEDS
GALBRAITH As HEAD.
John emery succeeded NJ. GaIbraith
as national commando, being chosen By
the national executive committee shortly
following Mr. Galbraith's death Nj
Emery pushed the fight for adjusted
compensation and headed the legiOn's
pilgrimage 70 France IN August. 1921.
The third annual. convention held in
Kansas City, No, elected Hanford
MacNider, national commander. acted as
host 70 a most distinguished gathering
Of celebrities and ratified previous reso-
buttons OF a legislative and patriotic
character.
The American Legion enters 1922 with
almost a million paid-up members. in
sound financial condition, and with a ma
tionaI prestige resulting from three
years of service TO comrades and coun-
try. II has 1000 posts in all parts Of
the United States and practically every
foreign country. The American Legion
Auxiliary composed Of nearest relatives
OF legion members. has almost 100000
members and approximately 5000 units
Such an immense and powerful organiza-
tioa has been able to accomplish much
for the community, State and Nation.
The legion has been the greatest force
IN obtaining for the disabled proper care
from the Government. The legion urged
and obtained passage Of the Sweet bill,
which was humanized Government deal
ings with the sick and needy. II has
obtained appropriations from Congress
for necessary hospitals and clinics. Fur
thermore, legion posts in all parts Of
the country have visited men in hospitals
in their localities and have helped make
their lot less painful.
WAGES FIGHT FOR
CONVERSATION.
The legion has made an aggressive
fight for adjusted compensation, and
leaders in the senate and House have
assured Commander MacNider that the
adjusted compensation bill viii become 2
law by March ], 1922.
The legion has been particularly active
n the suppression Of violent radicals In
Industrial disputes the legion has pre-
served its policy of absolute neu-
trality and has won the commentator
of the American Federation of Labor as
well as the personal approval of Samuel
GOmpers and other labor leaders Neither
rank, religion. nor politics, has part in
legion affairs. The legion has proved
itself to be the one big organization in
the country composed Of all classes and