The New York herald., 1922-10-21
Texan Polls 574 Votes to
251 for Deegan, Second
In Balloting.
MADE UNANIMOUS
New Leader Pledges Him.
self to Continue Fight
for Bonus.

NEW ORLEANS, Oct 20 (Associated
Press) The American Legion wound
up it's five day convention here to-day
after unanimously electing Alvin NJ
Owsley of Texas national commander
to succeed Hanford MacNider of Iowa.
and hearing a plea for international
action, which, according TO its spon-
sors, the wounded men of the Inter-
allied Veterans Federation would bring
about world peace. commanders
and national chaplain were also
elected in the final session.
Then the convention was adjourned
and the delegates rushed to railroad
stations to catch trains back home.
In stormy sessions the Legion reaf-
firmed its position on the so-calied SOL
der ponus-adjusted compensation
is the term the Legionnaires prefer
criticized Brig.-Gen Sawyer. personal
physician TO the President. and coordin-
ator of the Federal Hospitalization
Board. and tabled resolutions dealing
with the Volstead Act, the Ku Klux
Khan and various minor issues. 1t was
averred again that it's first intent was
proper care for the disabled of the war
Next years convention will be held in
San Francisco.
On the first ballot for commander
Owsley received 574 votes, Deegan Of
New York, 251; Thompson of Pennsyl-
vania. 205, and Mccormick of Colorado.
IL. Then Owsley's election was made
unanimous.
Five national vice-commanders were
elected as follows: Edward j. Barrett
Sheboygan. Wis. Robert S. Blood. Con-
cord, n. H.; ChiIes p. Plumer. Casper.
Wyo.: Earl Cooke. Macon. Ga. Watson
B. Miller. Washington. D. c.
Father William B. O'Connor of Ohio
was elected national chaplain by vote
Of ia to 374 over the Rev. Ezra Glenn
mons of Minnesota. who at once moved
that the vote be made unanimous.
Mr. Owsley was introduced by Com
mander MacNider and thanked the con-
vention.
please accept my heartfelt graft
tude," he said. for the greatest honor
that could come to one who served in
the world war. We pledged to America
in the world war that we were her de-
tenders. We must now pledge even
greater service.
There are four great principles or
which we Observation-Disclosures. rehabili-
tation, adjusted compensation and
Americanization. / pledge the best ener-
gies of my manhood and my sacred
honor"
Mr.. Owsley, when barely 80. had
gained distinction as soldier and
statesman in Texas. He resigned as
District Attorney at the outbreak of war
to attend the first training camp open
TO volunteers, and was assigned as a
Major Uf infantry in the Thirty-sixth
division. In this capacity he recruited
his own battalion and large part OF
the division in northern Texas.
After serving as division insurance
officer and senior instructor Of the
third officers training school at Camp
Bowie he went overseas with his divi-
sion, of which he was made adjutant
He took part in two major engage
ments, Champagne and the Argonne.
After the armistice he went TO Lon
don, where he attended the courts of
law and studied English procedure. He
resumed the practice of law following
his discharge in July. 1919, and was
appointed Assistant Attorney-Gen OF
Texas.
AS head of the Legions legislative
committee in that state he won in a
fight for s2.0oo.Ooo hospital for dis
abled service men, the bill being passed
position as Assistant Attorney-Gcneral
in February. 1921. 70 become assistant
director of the Legion's national Amer
icanisla commission.
Election of national officers and
speeches by Gen. Pershing and Kenesaw
NJ. Lands featured the closing session
OF the American Legion Auxiliary con-
vention.
Or. Kate Waller Barrett OF Alexan-
dria, Va. was elected national president
on the first ballot, with 239 of the pos
sible 450 votes.
DR.. Barrett. who is 50 years old, Is
national figure In woman activities. She
had four sons and three grandsons in
military service and was active in war
camp work during the war. She has