Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-10-20
LEGION PICKS
0WSLEY FOR
NEW LEADER
Texan Chosen National
Commander BY New
Orleans Convention at
Closing Session.

Convention Hall. New. Orleans,
La, Oct. -(By Associated
Press,) - Alvin M. Owsley of
Texas was today elected national
commander of the American
Legion.
Five national vice commanders
were elected as follows: Edward
J. Barrett, Sheboygan; Wis;
Robeft s, Blood, Concord, N. H.;
Chiles P. Plaumer, Casper, Wyo.;
Earl Cooke, Macon, Ga; Wilson
B. Miller, Washington, ID. G.
Father William B. O'Connor of
Ohio was elected national chap
lain by vote of TIA to 346 over
Rev. Ezra Clemmons of Mime
sofa. After benediction by Father
'Connor, commander MacNider
declared the convention ad-
journed.
A resolutions committee report,
| urging congress to act on pro-
posals before it for sale and oper-
alton Of the Muscle Shoals nitrate
plant, was passed by a large
majority.
0wsley Most Popular
The vote for Owsley was over
whelming, Owsley was carried
on the shoulders Of Teyas legion
naires to a place on the platform
beside retiring Commender Mac
Nider, who grasped his hand and
then turned to the assembly.
The Texas band broke loose.
"Bill" Deegan of New York
led in the capitulation of defeated
candidates, and moved the vote
be made unanimous. The vote was
announced as:
OwsIey STA; Deegan 251;
Thompson 205; Mccormick 16.
| Mr.SOwsley was introduced by
Commander MacNider.
"Please accept my heartfel'
gratitude said the NEW com
mander, "for the greatest honor
that could come to one who served
in the world war.
eve pledged to America in the
world war that we were her
defenders. We must now pledge
even greater service.
"There are four great princi-
pies on which we rest: Hospital
ization, rehabilitation. adjusted
compensation, Americanization. !
pledge the best energies of my
manhood and my sacred honor"
With Judge X. M. Lands be-
tween them, the new and old COM
manders of the legion posed on
the platform for a photograph.
80 Years of Age
Alvin M. Owsley, newly elected
commander and acting director of
the American Legion barely 30
years old gained distinction as a
soldier and statesman in the lone
Star state. He had resigned a
position as district attorney at
the outbreak Of war to attend the
first training camp open to
volunteers and had been assigned
as a major in infantry in the
36th division. In this capacity he
had recruited his own battalion
and large portion of the division
in northern Texas.
After serving as division insur-
ance officer and senior in Third
officers training school at Camp
Bowie. Texas, Mr.. Owsley went
overseas with his division. He
was made adjutant of the division
and took part in two major en-
gagements in Champagne and the
Argonne.
After the armistice Mr.. Owsley
went to London, where he attend
ed the courts of law and studied
English procedure. He resumed
the practice of law Immediately
following his discharge in July,
1919 and was appointed assistant
attorney general of Texas. AS head
Of the legion Is legislative commit
tee in that state, he won out in a.
fight for a $4,000, 900 hospital for
disabled service men. He resigned
his position as assistant attorney
general in February, 1921 to be-
come assistant director Of the
Iegion,s national Americanism
commission.