Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-14
LEGION WOMEN
HEAR ADDRESS
BYCOL.. TAYLOR
Interesting Talk On Work
Accomplished Since
Organization
BY DELEGATE
DR.. Kate Waller Barrett Presides-
Mrs. Westmoreland Davis Honor
Guest-Reception Follows.

| The work accomplished by the
American Legion since its organiza.
ton was told last night by Colonel
John Thomas Taylor, vice chairman
of the National Legislative commit.
tee in an address before mass
meeting held in the auditorium OF
the chamber of commerce under the
auspices of the ladies' auxiliary OF
that organization, the occasion being
the meeting of the state executive
committee of the ladies' auxiliary OF
the American Legion.
DR.. Kate Waller Barrett, this city
president of the Virginia Ladies Au-
Hillary, presided and introduced the
speakers. Occupying seats on the
rostum were Mrs. Davis, wife OF
Governor Westmoreland Davis, to-
gether with a number of state offic.
ials of the auxiliary Afterward Mrs
Davis and the visitors were rendered
a reception in the parlors Of the cham
Der of commerce.
Others who spoke included Mrs
w. R. Hanger, Staunton Va. vice
president of the legion; Mrs. W: E
Baker, Winchester, corresponding
secretary; Mrs. E. P. Stuart. New
port News; Miss Cecile Williams
Portsmouth; Mrs. w. T, Allen, Rich
mond; Miss Augusta Conrad, Win
chester; Mrs. Howard Fletcher, War
renton.
Col. Tavlor among other things
said that the American Legion was
born IN France. It's organizers were
moved by an impulse FOR America
He declared the draft law was a
blessing and pictured the scenes IN
cident to the men being taken to the
various camps ard then Transported
to France and their arrival III the
midst of the fighting. Following the
armistice he said there was great un-
rest among the boys and meeting
was called in Paris of the national
guard and reserve officers in order
to make plans to have the men IN a
better frame of mind.
Then it was said that the question
of establishing veterans organlza'
ion of the war was determined upon
At first no encouragement was re.
ceived. More than 1000 men held
the first meeting and it was then the
name was chosen. The session lasted
three days. Seventeen men were
sent back to America and on Nav 3
10 and II the first caucus was helc
in st. Louis when the seventeen men
from overseas met seventeen Others
and subsequently in New York CIT!
S25O,OO0 was borrowed. The first
convention was held November II
1919, in Minneapolis with a member,
ship of more than one million. Al
this convention preamble and con-
stitution was adopted.
The men who served were divided
up and lost the community sense
but they are now getting together
and today there are $4,000 posts II
the United States and in every for
cign country except Germany. q
j post recently being organized II
/ Africa.
There are $500 units of the wo
mans auxiliary with total of 25O,
900 members Colonel Taylor said.
The splendid work accomplished by
the organiztion since its existence
was told by Col. Taylor who enum
Grated the work done bv the Legior
in behalf of the disabled soldiers
| The job of the legion he declared was
! to see that the disabled men got what
was coming to them. More than 100,
600 ey service men today he said are
without jobs. Colonel Tavlor predict
ed the passge of the adjusted com
pensation bill.
DR.. Kate Waller Barrett, who pre-
sided, in her opening remarks sait
that the auxiliary is still in its in
fancy, but is beginning as vlgorou:
and useful career. In addition t.
the delegates present she said Mrs
Davis. wife of Governor Westmore
land Davis who was Virginia's wal
governor. DR.. Barrett said Virginia
had done more for the soldiers dur
ing the world war than any othe1
state, and that the soldiers were bet
ter cared for in Virginia than else
where.
Alexandria's homes, hearts ant
pocketbooks were opened to the sol
diers and thousands were entertained
at the homes here. She said at tht
end of the war Virginia came ou
without one cent being paid her son:
or daughters who helped in thi
worthy cause.
No one was more conspicuous il
work during the war than Mrs. Da
Wis declared DR.. Barrett.
Mrs. Davis was then presentet
and made brief talk in which sh'
said she was overioycd at the splendic
tribute paid her by Mrs. Barrett.
| According to the report submittet
by Mrs. ". r. Hanger. Saunton, vic
president of the auxiliary, there ar
ten posts in her district and all ar
functioning. She told of the man.
visits made IN tho Waatorn S%of