The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-19
WAR VETERANS
IN RESOLUTION
AGAINST SAWYER
Physician Is Charged With
Blocking Hospital Plan.
Pass Resolution Demanding
That He Be Removed.
HEAR GEN. PERSHING TODAY
ExpeditiOnary Leader Guest of
American Legion.
Late Reports Show Owsley Will
Be New Commander.
HEAR GEN. PERSHING TODAY
(By The Assoctated Press.l


Convention Hall, New Orleans, Oct
19.-Remova1 of Brig. Gen. Charles
E. Sawyer, President Harding's per-
sonal physician, charged with block
ing the American Legion hospitaIiza-
ton program, was demanded by the
legion national convention here to-
day by a vote of COL to 375.
A resolution demanding the re-
moval of Brig. Gen. Charles E.
Sawyer, was presented the American
Legion convention by Department
Commander Barren, of Minnesota, for
Utter unfitness." The attack was in
spired by the report of Rice Means,
of Colorado, of the national rehabilf-
tation committee, which accepted
the pledge OF the corporation" given
by General Sawyer.
Declaring that IAN armistice has
been signed" and that Its time to
stop fighting" Adolphus Graupner,
Of California, spoke against Mr.. Bar
rens resolution. A demand from the
floor that a statement be made as to
whether General Sawyer had signed
an agreement in writing, was an
swered by Col. A A. Sprague, of Chi
cago, chairman of the rehabilitation
committee, who said the committee
had taken General Sawyer ION his
word"
Col. Sprague said he believed Gen
eral Sawyer had been mistakingly
maligned. He asked a vote against
Barren's resolution.
'It will not be a blow at Sawyer"
he said. You can't dislodge Sawyer.
It will only be a blow at your re-
Mobilization committee"
Adjutant Stafford King of the
Minneapolis department. was recog-
nized by Past National Commander
Emery, who was called to the chair
by General Foreman.
Not a cent has been spent in
Minnesota" King said. .'altho state
ment after statement has been made
that the money has been ailocated.
AS for me, if I am the only man to
voice antagonism to General Sawyer,
I'll voice it,
ST can tell you of buddies dying on
the steps of hospitals in Minnesota
tinued. "I hope, I pray this amend
ment may be adopted"
Pershing Today's Speaker.
Gen. John L. Pershing, commander
in-chief of the American expedition
airy forces, again this morning ac-
knowledged the tribute of the forces
he led in France, when ne appeared as
the days chief speaker, at the fourth
day of the national convention of the
American Legion.
His appearance and fellowship with
"the boys" as he affectionately
termed them, shared chief interest
among the legionnaires with the pol
itics in connection with selection of q
new national commander that is
brewing among them.
Standards of eleven states which
held their membership at 100 per cent
or increased it last year, were decor
ated by National Vice Commander
Mccormick.
These states were: Georgia, Ar
kansas, North Carolina, Missouri, New
Mexico, Mississippi, Wyoming, Okla
hona, Utah, Louisiana and Iowa.
Adoption of the legions report on
naval affairs, committed the organiza-
tion to the terms of the Washington
conference and urged congress to ap-
propriate sufficient funds to keep up
navy craft and to keep a personnel
of not less than $4,000. A naval base
resolution of acceptance. Neglect of
this base, made necessary by the pact
eliminating Notifications in the Pa
cific, the resolution added, would be
criminal negligence"
Personal greetings from the secre-
tary of the navy were conveyed to the
legion by Admiral McGruder of the
United States navy
"A strong merchant marine" the
admiral said, SIS the first element OF
a. strong sea power. The second ele-
ment is a strong navy and the third
strong naval bases"
Spoke on Naval Reserve.
The admiral asked that the legion
''see to it, that merchant marine ships
are manned ito man by American
seamen," and that they be paid fair
wage. He spoke for a naval reserve.
Late last night Maj. Hugh Scott,
medical officer, whose home is in
Oklahoma City, and who is now serv-
ing as executive officer to Col. c. r.
Forbes, director of the United States
veterans bureau, told a representa-
tive of the Associated Press that
Colonel Forbes decision to return to
Washington followed a long distance
telephone conversation with high Of
ficials in Washington in close touch
with the president.
According to the sources usually re-
liable. the chief executive replied that
Colonel Forbes was at liberty TO use
his judgment as to remaining here.
Doctor Scott late last night told the
Associated Press he regarded the le-
gion as dying organization and that
he believed that the last blow had
been administered to it when Presi-
(Continued on page Thres-j