The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-08-25
LEGION ARMY IS
To ASSEMBLE At
NEW ORLEANS
City Planning to Entertain 150,-
600 Veterans
LAST WEEK IN OCTOBER
Program Being Arranged to Sup
ply Entertainment For all
Sorts of Tastes

New Orleans. La, Aug. 24.-"The
Crescent City is preparing to enter
tain the largest gathering in its his.
tory when 10000 members of the
American Legion and other visitors
come to the Legion's national con-
yenton here October 16 TO 90
With the tentative acceptance Of
the convention invitation by Presi-
dent Harding and Gen Pershing, and
the definite acceptance of Maj. Gen.
John A. Lejeune, commandant of the
United State marine corps, Samuel
Gompers, pres dent of the American
Federation of Labor, and Kenesaw
Mountain Lands. commissioner OF
baseball, the Legion meeting has. as.
sumed national Importance Conven-
tion officials also expect to entertain
famous marshal of France and other
World war notables. Prominent
among the distinguished guests will
be 25 wearers of the congressional
medal of honor, the highest award
for bravery made by the United
States.
President Harding has written con
vention headquarters that he will
come TO New Orleans il the pressure
Of notable affairs does not interfere
and similar message has been re-.
ceiyed from Gen. Pershing who was
guest at the national gathering at
Kansas City last year. The visit
of Gen Lejeune will be of especial
interest to legionnaires since the ma
rine corps leader is a native of Louisi-
ana and was one OF the most popu-
lar commanding generals in the
American expeditionary forces. The
presence of Mr. Gomjers at the con
yention is expected to develop closer
relations between the Legion and or.
gan.zed labor Judge Lands is the
father OF a former service man and
has spoken at Legion gatherings in
all parts of the country
Sessions Only in Mornings.
In preparation for the visit of the
thousands of former service men. the
convention committee has prepared
an elaborate program of entertain.
ment. Convention sessions will be
held only in the mornings, enabling
de egates and visitors to participate
in the festivities the remainder Of the
day
The first American Legion national
Olympic meet will be held at the con.
vention. Legion athletes form every
state will compete for national cham.
pionships in track and field events.
and wrestling golf and tennis. There
also will be national craftsmanship
contest and a tournament of profess.
ional boxers. A decision bout between
Bob Martin, who won the heavyweight
championship at the tournament stag
ed by American expedtionary force
fighters after the armistice, and Capt
Roper heavyweight champion of the
service men who remained in America
will be one of the leading features Of
the Boxing card.
Fifty thousand marchers and 100
bands are expected to participate in
the convention parade. The legion.
naires viii march by states in the
order of membership increase during
the last year To stimulate the at,
tendance of bands from all states,
$l75O In prizes will be awarded to the
finest legion bands in the parade and
$3.50 will 80 to the best drum corps
Col. Guy Malony, superintendent of
police of New Orleans, has announced
that 1000 uniformed legionnaires will
assist the police in regulating the
large crowds thronging the convention
parade streets and that the legion.
nalres will serve as provost guards in
the business district
The grant of rate of one fare for
the round trip to the conventVn by
the railroads will augment the con.
yention crowds, according TO local
Legion officials.
Housing arrangements are being
undertaken with a view of accommo
dating 100000 visitors. A special rate
of $3.50 day without bath and $3.50
a day with bath has been granted by
the leading hotels. Pullman cities.
equipped with the conveniences of a
modern hotel will be established by
three large railroads to house approx
imately $4,000 lesionnaires. The hous
ing committee also is considering the
creation of a tent city and the placing
OF cots in halls and business proper
ties. Thousands of visitors will be
entertained in New Orleans homes
Meet me on the levee" will be the
slogan. The convention sessions will
be held on the banks of the Missis
sippi river. A large covered pier
nearly 100 feet long and 400 feet
wide, astride the levee and parallel tc
the Mississippi river will be the scene
of deliberations. Amplifiers will be
installed to insure good acoustics
Villages Afloat.
In the British North Sea fishing fleet
are engaged $4,000 men and frequently