The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-08-24

! 100 Bands In Parade-H0using fol-
100000 Visitors.
NEW ORLEANS, La, Aug. "a. (As
ISOLATED Press )-'The Crescent City" il
preparing to entertain the largest gather
ing in its history when 10000 member,
of the American Legion and other visit
ors come to the Legion's national conven-
ton here, October 1920.
With the tentative acceptance of the
convention invitation by President Hard
ing and General Pershing, and the def
mite acceptance of Major General John
A. Lejeune. commandment of the United
States Marine Corps, Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federation of
Labor, and Kenesaw Mountain Lands,
commissioner of baseball, the legion meet
ing viii assume national Importance.
Convention officials also expect to enter
tain a famous marshal of France and
other World war notables. Prominent
among the distinguished guests will be
% wearers of the congressional medal of
honor, the highest award for bravery
made in the United States.
President Harding has written con-
ventioE headquarters that he will come to
New Orleans if the pressure of public
affairs does not interfere and a similar
message has been received from General
Pershing, who led the legion men in
France, and who was a guest at their
national gathering in Kansas City last
year. The visit of General Lejeune will
be of especial interest to legiOnnaires
since the Marine corps leader is native
Of Louisiana and was one of the most
popular commanding generals in the
American Expeditionary Forces. The
presence of Mr.. GomperS at the cOnven-
ton is expected to develop closer rela-
tions between the legion and organized
labor. Judge Lands is the father of a
former service man and has spoken at
legion gatherings in all parts of the coun-
try.
Much Entertainment.
In preparation for the visit of the
thousands of former service men, the
convention committee has prepared an
elaborate program of entertainment. Con-
vention sessions will be held only in
the mornings, enabling delegates and
visitors to participate in the festivities
the remainder of the day.
The first American Legion national
Olympic meet viii be held at the con-
vention Legion athletes from every
state will compete for national cham
pionships in track and field events, aqua
tic sports, amateur boxing and wrestling,
golf and tennis There also will be a
national craftsmanship contest and a
tournament of professional boxers. A
decision bout between Bob Martin, who
won the heavyweight champIonshIp at
the tournament staged by a. T.. f. fight
ers after the armistnce, and Captain
Roper, heavyweight champion of the serv-
ice men whe remained in America, VIII
be one of the leading features of the box
ing card. The legion bantamweight
championship will be settled when
Johnny Buff and Pal Moore meet in the
convention ring.
Memories of France.
Memories of days in France viii be re-
yived by a number of New Orleans So
cieties. which will combine in the pre-
sentation of n French carnival night.
Stores will be labeled with French signs
and the picturesque garb of Brittany,
Normandy and other French provinces
will be mingled with the khaki, blue and
green of the veterans. Downtown streets
will be Illuminated by $4,000 electric
bulbs and will be decorated with flags of
allied powers, state seals and legion ban
nerS and emblemS. DoughboyS in search
of former comrades viii meet in inn
promptu reunions under divisional lnslg-
MIA flags to be hung over the streets.
Fifty thousand marchers and lOO
bands are expected to participate IN the
convention parade The legionnaires will
march by states in the order of member
shin increase during the last year. 10
stimulate the attendance of bands from
all states 1,7J0 in prizes will be awarded
to the finest legion bands in the parade
and $3.50 will go to the best drum corps.
Special Fare Granted.
The grant of rate of one fare for the
round trip to the convention by all rail-
roads will augment the convention
crowds according to local legion officials.
Housing arrangements are being under
taken with view of accommodating 150,-
600 visitors. A special rate of $3.50 a
day without bath and $3.50 day with
bath, has been granted by the leading
hotels. Pullman cities, equipped with
the conveniences of modern hotel, will
be established by three large railroads
to house approximately 1900 legion
naires. The housing committee also Is
considering the creation of a tent city and
the placing of cots in halls and business
properties. Thousands of visitors VIII be