The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-08-25
MEETING STATE DEPART
MENT OPENED TODAY
MANY VISITORS THERE
City In Gala Attire For Guests,
and Elaborate Program
Arranged
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.I

more than 5000 visitors, Who are
expected tT arrive here during the
next four days to attend the an
nual state convention of the Mime
sofa Department, American Legion.
Preparations are completed to
make this one of the most remark
able conventions held since the or
ganization of the body, members OF
the local committee on arrange
undone to make the convention a
success. not only from the business
point OF view but as a social gath
efing Of former service men.
The program, members of the
committee report, is one that VIII
keep the delegates and their friends
busy from the time of their arrival
until their departure on Thursday
evening. Among the outstanding
actions the convention is expected
to take are the definite decision fon
the building of the Memorial Hos.
pital for the American Legion and
weekly.
Advance State Reports.
Posts throughout the state ad-
vance reports indicate met with sue
cess in raising funds for the con-
struction of a Memorial Hospital
and the committee on building ex-
poets to receive definite instructions
ito 20 ahead with the work The
convention viii also designate the
site Rochester, Mimi, IT is said.
is one of the strongest contenders
for the building. and IL advance in
formation is correct, is almost GER
tain of winning the contest
The need of a state legion week
ly, the committee on publications,
reports, is strongly felt in all cir
cies and it is predicted that the
delegates will take favorable action
in establishing such a paper. Sol
diers' national bonus and other ser
vice mems legislation will also be
discussed.
It is not likely that Hanford Nc
Nider, national commander OF the
American Legion, will attend the
Minnesota gathering. Latest ad-
vices are that he will be detained
in washington, where he will urge
action on the federal bonus imme-
diately on the action OF the tariff
bill.
The activities of the convention
delegates will not be confined TO the
lail, but many attractions and
events will be confined TO the hall,
events viii be held in the open.
these including parades, athletic
events and automobile sightseeing
trips.
Tuesday, there viii be twilight
parade" in which every eight dis
lf1ct posts will be represented by
a float and costumed marchers. All
delegates and visitors will particl-
pate IN this parade which will in
clude thirty bands. That same day
will be devoted to the gathering OF
the La Societe Dies Forty HommeS
ct Eight Chevaux" the social organ
iZation of the legion
The registration of delegates and
assignment of hotel accommoda
tons will take up practically all OF
Sunday, when the officers hold
preliminary meeting. That evening
the state executive committee VIII
hold its final meeting.
Monday, the first day of the con-
yention proper, will be opened with
an Invocation by Department Chap
lain Rev. Ezra Cemans, Owatonna.
This will be followed by a thirty
minutes silence in homer of the
dead comrades in arms. The rest
of the forenoon will be given over
to the holding of district caucnses
for election of committee members.
Several committee reports viii also
b. sead at this session The AFTER
noon will be devoted to the speak
ers, who for the most part VIII pc
the chairman Of the various stand
ing committees. -.
TUESDAY win be given over to the
activities of the 40 and g." Wed
nesday the convention will consid-
er the various committee reports,
at which time action will be taken
on the state weekly publication and
the Memorial hospital recommends
lions. That evening a card will be
presented az Eyeleth.
Thursday, the closing day OF the
convention, will be devoted to con-
sideration of unfinished business
and the election of officers. z
ADDRESS BY Legion Head
Favorable action on the soldiers
adjusted compensation the estao-
usfnnent Of a state paper and
hospital of 500 beds for neuro-
psychiatric cases, and another in
stitution with an equal number OF
beds for tubercular patients, were
among the Recommendations made
to the convention, which opened to-
day. by state Commander A A. van
Dyke, St. Paul. 4
THE American Legion has stat
ed it's position on adjusted com
pensation." Commander Van Dyke
said in his report. We want no
bonus; we ask for no bonus. II we
have not learned adjustment OF our
compensation equally wen with the
man who made bullets at $40 day
and had his compensation adjusted,
then we do not wish adjusted COM
nensation. for we ask no gratuity.
other Points Mentioned
The state commander also rec
commended that the department
legislative committee be upheld by
the convention delegates in its
recommendations for the hospital
at Rochester Other points men
toned by the state commander as
those which the convention must
settle include:
Re- Arrangement and size of com.
mittees; a policy for post actiyi-
ties and athletic work; a more
comprehensive plan OF welfare
work, combining care as 10 the
employment of legionnaire5; ap..
pointment of a. committee to work
out a policy whereby the member-
ship will be increased; that The
service department either be given
more finances to handle their work
with, or that their work be re-:
stricted and used for beaefit and
legionnaires only; and, that the
Chairman of the welfare committee,
Auoerics ntzatjon committee, most