Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-11-02

associations had representatives on
the ground to cover" the session.
What did the convention do (? Gener-
ally speaking it ended the period of
organization and put the American
Legion squarely into action in support
of the principles for which the Legion
I stands.
The policies declared by the con-
vention may be classed under three
heads: Americanization, Beneficial
Legislation and Military. Under the
first the creation of national Amer
icanization Committee of the Legion
was provided for to work out the Le-
gion's aim Of promoting one hundred
percent AmeTicanism in this coun-
try; deportation of first paper
"aliens" who have renounced their
intention of becoming citizens;
deportation draft dodgers" where
possible, the passage of stricter natur-
alization laws; punishment of "con-
scientious objectors," and action
against War Department officials re-
sponsible fer the easy treatment ac-
corded the latter; that Congress be
urged to enact laws to require aliens
resident in this country to acquire
knowledge of the American language
and that a thorough course in citizen
ship constitute part of the curricu-
lum of every public school.
Beneficial revision in vocational re-
habilitation laws and changes in the
War Risk Insurance Act were rec
commended.
The convention opposed a large
standing army, advocated compulsory
universal training, national citizen
army under the administration of
general staff composed of citizen as
well as Regular Army Officers. 1t
should be noted that the Legion went
on record as favoring the establish
ment of separate department of the
Air Service to handle the same com
mercially and as a military force.
Franklin ID. Olier, of Philadelphia,
was elected National Commander for
1920. Indianapolis was selected as the
site of national headquarters.
The first efforts of the American Le-
gicn We're directed to bettering the ex-
listing laws governing War Risk In
surance and Compensation. A bill,
known as the Sweet Bill, embodying
much needed changes in the War Risk
Act was considered by three day con-
ference of all the State Commanders
and Director of War Risk, Cholmley
Jones. During this conference the de-
partment commanders interviewed
their several representatives in Con-
gress with the result that final pas
sage of the Sweet bill was greatly ex-
pedited. 1t is enough to say of this
bill that among other features it
raised the amount of compensation
payable to disabled men to living
standard, popularized government in
surance by making it payable in
lump sum at the option of the insured,
broadened the list of beneficiaries and
provided liberal regulations for rein
statement of lapsed insurance.
The 1920 National Convention was
held at Cleveland, Ohio. Mr.. M. T.
Galbraith, who was chosen National
Commander, after five months of
strenuous activity literally "died in
the service" He was killed in an auto
accident while travelling to an import
ant meeting Of the National Executive
Committee. His successor, John @.
Emery, Of Michigan, carried on the
work of helping the disabled service
men secure their rights, the Legion
activity, which was nearest to the
dead commanders heart
The 1921 National Convention, held
at Kansas City, Mo-, elected Hanford
| MacNider, of Iowa, National Com
mander. Throughout busy year
thereafter MacNider led the figk for
adjusted compensation and to insure
results from the organization of the
reorganized Veterans Bureau, which
was not functioning properly.
The 1922 National Convention has
just been held at New Orleans and
Alvin Owsley, of Texas, former chair
man of the American Legion National
Americanization Committee, and a
former Attorney General of Texas was
elected to lead the Legion during the
coming year.
Wisconsin is we'll up among the
states in point of Legion membership
and effective activity. The first Wis
consin post of the Legion was organ
lied in Milwaukee. Today there are
over two hundred and fifty posts
scattered throughout the state, and
every post is the center of community
activities and interest.
The Bernard A. Diedrich Post, No.
78, was organized early in 1920. Its
name perpetuates the memory Of
Wauwatosa boy, who gave his life foI
his country. The one hundred ant
twenty members of the post, many Of
whom knew him well, believe that he
would approve Of their attempt e
make their club house a true center
of community activities in his native
town. In this effort the post has bee