The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-04
AMERICAN LEGION PLEDGED SUPPORT
 OF ALL GADSDEN
Cause of Organization Is Ex- pounded by National Vice Commander and Other
 Prominent Leaders

Gadsden, May 3,-(Special)-At the big gest and best gathering of ex-service men since the war. the American Legion up hotel. and with the heads of the va rious civic organizations of the city, heard the cause of the legion expounded by such able speakers as E. c. Winslett, na- tional vice commander of the legion, and Edward Quin, national insurance officer; Harry Ayers of Anniston and Congress- man Lamar Jeffers of Anniston, as we'll as hearing expression of support and good will from every organization in the city. About 150 members and guests sat across the banquet tables and definitely put the American Legion over the top in Gadsden.
 The dinner was excellent, the music was in the same class and was donated l to the legion by the members of the Gulf States Steel Plant band, largely composed of legion men. The speaking was of an order such as has been sell dom witnessed in this city and included a number of men who had definite mes saees for the legion men as well as those unfamiliar with legion work.
 Commander W. NJ Thompson of the Etowah county Post. No. 5, acted as toastmaster, and with him at the head table sat the guests and executive com- mittee of the legion, including the fol- lowing:
 Loui Lovefnan, president of the Ro- tarian club; R. NJ. Jones, secretary of the chamber of commerce; A. M. Taylor. president of the Kiwanis club Harry | of of Anniston. k. " Winslett, national vice commander of the legion; Edward Quin, national insurance officer; pr. Arthur W. Rails, C. S. Culver, president of the University club; E. U. Sibert, vice com mander of the Etowah post; E. c. Stew art, treasurer of. the post; Charles Stew art, secretary; Dr. T. Y. Greet, historian. and R. H. Warden. chaplain.
 SUPPORT PLEDGED 1 The presidents of the civic organiza- tions briefly but emphatically indorsed the legion and assured it of their active and continued support, and each one of them was greeted with enthusiasm by the membership assembled
 1 Raymond Cox assisted nightly in the entertainment with some vocal solos, and the band played several numbers that were received with enthusiasm by the boys.
 Harry Ayers, publisher of the Annis- ton Star, and a we'll known legion man, being vice commander of the state de- partment spoke on the work ahead Of the legion. and also of the fine work be- ing done by the Alabama posts at the present time.
 He dwelt particularly on the proposi- tion of disarmament and voiced the opin- ion that when the time came that the legion believed the world would honestly disarm, it would be the first organized body to throw it's great weight into the balance to bring about universal disarm- ament and peace.
 1 Lamar Jeffers, recently named con- gressman from the Anniston district, l spoke at length on the bonus bill and he stated that from every source of infor~ nation he had he believed the bonus bill
 would be passed during this session Of Congress- He bitterly attacked the prof l iteers and millionaires who have come to the front since the war and called upon the legion to stand together four square as ex-service men to fight for what is right and just and to bring justice to the
 disabled veterans who are now being neglected throughout the country. | His speech rang full of fire and hope | for the boys who are not able to help themselves and he struck responsive chord in the heart of every ex-service man with his sentiments.
 WINSLETT MAIN SPEAKER Vice Commander Winslett made the principal address of the evening and he told of the aims and purposes of the legion and brought the real message of the legion to every person present. He told of the efforts of the national body to aid the men who have been dis abled by the war and who are now neg lected by the government and he spoke In bitter terms Of the draft lists scandal and why it had been held up for two and a half years after the~ war. It is now on its way to be printed but only after the most strenuous efforts of tho millions who fought.
 He complimented the post and it's com mander upon the splendid showing that has been made in this city and county and urged the women of the auxiliary to aid in keeping the legion active and true to it's ideals.
 Following the national vice commander there was a brief address by MT. Quin. who eulogized the work of the legion and he was followed by Mrs. T. Y. Greet, who briefly expressed her appreciation at being able to be present and hear the fine expositions of legion work. The first get-together banquet of the legion was declared by all the members to have surpassed anything of it's kind ever attempted here and will be but the first of a series of active and interesting legion events, say the executive commit