The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-17
Labor Leader on Program With
Judge X. Nj. Lands.
Convention Will Be Held in
San Francisco in 1928.
FORBES DEFENDS U.S.. BUREAU
Government Record a "Series
of Tragic Mistakes"
Beer and Light Wine and Klan
Topic of Resolutions.
fBy the Associated Press }

(By the Associated Press)
Convention Hall. New Orleans, Oct
17.--San francisco was awarded the
1928 convention of the American
Legion by acclamation. The American
Legion, in national convention here
today heard Samuel Gompers, head
of the American Federation of Labor.
tell of labor's aims. and aspirations.
and what it believes it's rights and
duties are.
Mr., Gompers and Kenesaw Noun
tain Lands, supreme commissioner
of baseball received a noisy welcome
from the "Buddies' when they en-
tered the convention hail. The ses-
sion was slow in getting under way,
after a night of strenuous play. with
outdoor dancing on street ana slde
walk, under the palm trees of Jack
son square. New Orleans historic place
in the ''armes," scene of the assem-
bling of Old Hickory's army of IRON
tiersmen and gulf pirates to make
war on the British veteran OF Ma
poleonic wars in 1915
Smoking Is Barred.
Saddest of all persons connected
with the convention was the lnd1-
viduaI who had bought the tobacco
concession at the convention hall only
to find at the last minute that smok-
ing was barred by the convention
committee and the state fire marshal,
on account of the fire hazard.
The alI-important resolutions COM
mittee will bring in a number OF ex-
pected resolutions and it prepared to
table a number of other topics. Among
these, it is learned, is the beer and
light wine issue, and any reference
to the Ku Klux Klan. Friends of beer
and light wine vigorously assert that
an open fight will be made before the
convention to get an expression on
this issue. Persistent rumors are that
the Ku klux Klan also may be made
an issue in open sessions.
Presentation of the national colors
to the delegates marked the opening
Of the morning session.
Hanford MacNider then presented
John Barton Payne, national mead OF
the American Red Cross, and declared
that the Red Cross had done a great
deal to carry out the legion's policy in
regard to the disabled.
Mr.. Payne said the Red Cross was
mot a cult" but "the heart throb of
the nation. without creed or color
\ Nod From Gompers.
Commissioner John ]. Tigert of the
federal bureau of education then eX-
tended greetings to the legion. The
commissioner endorsed the rehabilita-
tion and disqualification program of
the Legion. Quoting from Abraham
Lincoln Mr.. Tigert paid tribute to
the legion for Its constructive pro-
gram" in its endeavor to bring har-
mony and not strife between capital
and labor.
As he gave credit to Lincoln for his
opposition to radicalism, he glanced at
Samuel Gompers, who acknowledged
his glance with n nod.
Tribute to Belgium was paid by the
legion with a roar when M. Jeanne,
vice president of the "Fidac" and
president of the Belgian veterans. was
Int nv GsfaT11 n or day~
Altho NJ. Jeanne spoke in French,
his address was punctuated by en-
thusiastic cheering.
Another prominent figure in union
labor circles who is attending the
legion convention and taking ar active
part in its deliberations, is George L.
Berry. head of the International
Pressmen's union, and a vice COM
mander of the legion.
On the opening day of the conven-
tion, Mr.. Berry sprung a surprise
when he vigorously denounced the
action of the federal district attorney
here in closing by injunction some
forty soft drink stands. Berry de-
clared tEat the Injunction action pro-
viding rs it did for temporary clos
ing during the legion convention"
was an insult to the men who had
shown their devotion to patriotic
idea and law and order during the
war.
With the declaration of Hanford
MacNider. national commander. that
the american legion regarded the
interests of the disabled service men
as it's first responsibility" still ring
ing in their ears world war veterans
began the second days session of
their convention here with indications
that the rehabilitation question again
would be the chief topic under dis
Gussion.
sIn this connection the legionnaires
were considering the bulletin issued to
all post commanders by Lemuel
Bolles, national adjutant, advising
them that millions of dollars collected
during the war for the benefit of SOL
diers and sailors rightfully belonged
to the American legion.
After citing court cases and deci-
sions and asserting that the legion
was the one organization in its class to
legally disburse the funds, the ma
tional adjutant advised the comman-
ders to take. proper steps to secure all
war chest collections
Forbes Defends Bureau.
The reply of Col C. r. Forbes, di-
rector of the United States veterans
bureau to the legion rehabilitation
commissions attack on the govern
ment's record of performance in deal
ing with the veterans also was receiv-
ing attention of the former soldiers
In his statement Col. Forbes de-
clared that the veterans bureau could
not be criticised for any mistakes
made under the first Langley act. in
asmuch as it had nothing to do with
the selection of sites or determining
the sort of hospitals to be erected. He
Continued on Page FOUR