The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-19
NINE STATES ARE
RUNNING FAVOR|TE
SONS FOR OFFICE
Surprise Thrown Into Conven-
ton Circles by Sudden De-
parture of Col. Forbes.
Lands Speaks
Nv Associated Press


New Orleans, October 1S.-Having
paraded with colors flying in their
annual review, voted to continue the
fight for adjusted compensation, re-
ceived an embossed message from the
British Legion signed by the Prince
of Wales, and an ivory gavel from
Alaskan legionnaires, the election of
officers was almost solely occupying
the attention Of delegates to the
fourth annual convention Of the
American Legion in session here.
Th election. due to be held Friday.
promises to be one of the hardest
fought in the history OF the legion's
four years existence. with nine
states running fayorlte sons and eacn
claiming sufficient votes to give seri-
Gus consideration to their candidates.
delegates attending all Of the ma
tionsI conventions admit they are At
sea as to the final result
1T was definitely announced by the
Texas delegation today that the
name of Alvin NJ. owsley of their
state and now chairman of the
Americanism commits slon, will he
formally presented 10 the convention
with the state Endorsement
Forbes Leaves
Something of surprise was
thrown into convention circles late
today when 1t became known that
~ nj
States Veterans bureau, who came
here upon the invitation of Hartford
MscNlder. national commander of the
American Legion. and who was
scheduled TO address the convention
tomorrow morning upon the work OF
his organization. had suddenly left
New Orleans and returned to Wash
ington. Colonel Forbes took with
him his entire staff. He made no
public statement as to the reasons for
his departure, nor did he intimate
whether the action was taken solely
on his own responsibility.
1t had been openly charged by
wfiisssn f. Deegan, OF New York.
commander of tbs legion in his state
and announced candidate for national
commander, that Colonel Forbes had
actually come to tho convention by
direction Of President Harding in an
effort to procure the selection Of
man for national commander who
would maintain lukewarm attitude
toward proposed national tegisia-
ton for a soldier bonus.
Lands Introduced
Kennesaw NJ. Lands. supreme
commissioner of baseball, was intro
dueed by Commander MacNider as
the man who, in his opinion. more
nearly typifies the Hooseveltian
tradition A great outburst OF ap-
plause greeted the veteran jurist and
baseball commissioner
Having corefully moved from his
vicinity all the fixtures within reach
of his emphatic arm, following near
mishap to one of the magnifiers, Mr..
Lands tore into the convention with
one of his characteristic speeches.
which warmed the hearts of the
legionnaires and brought them to
their feet several times.
Compensation Right
Adjusted compensation for the war
veterans is purely measure of right
said the speakers, and VIII certainly
come within the near future. The
politician who did nothing for the
country in time of war and is now
coming up for reelection should be
pasted" he advised the legionnalres.
Adoption OF the report OF the iegis-
lative committee. recommending
continuance of the fight for adjust
ed compensation, was accompanied by
one OF the big demonstrations Of the
convention.
After the presentation OF the legis-
lative committee report the follow
ing resolution was adopted by the
conventions:
Resolved. that the American
Legion. at its fourth annual conven-
ton assembled, reaffirms its belieI
in the American Legion plan for ad-
justed compensation, with full con-
fidence in the support of the Amer
lean people and does now instruct
the new national commander the ma
tional executive committee and the
national Legislative committee to con-
fCOntfnued on Page Two.)