The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-15
LEGION ID HOLD
 STATE MEETING
 IN MONTGOMERY
Date of Convention Will Be Fixed by Agreement After the August Primary.
 Held at New Orleans

At meeting of the executive com mlttee of the Alabama department of the American Legion yesterday afternoon 1t was voted to hold the next state convention at Montgomery at a date after the August primary to be fixed by an agreement between the executive committe of the Mont gomery post and State Commander Harry M. Ayers, of Anniston, who presided at the meeting.
 Heretofore the conventions of the Alabama department have ben held in June, but 1t was argued that this removed the state meeting too far from the date of the annual national convention, which will be held In De- tober this year at New Orleans, The Alabama delegates at the last con- vention at Kansas City helped swing the convention to New Orleans and indications are that this state will send several hundred legionnaires to the Crescent City in October.
 The meeting held yesterday by the executive committee was to hear re- ports from the various sections of the state in order that the Alabama de- partmental officers will be able to make a favorable report at a called meeting of departmental officials to be held at Indianapolis on January oa be attended by National Committee man Frank Dixon, Past Commander Matt H. Murphy, Comander Ayers and Adjutant Joe Yates.
 Membership Large
 According to reports made at the meeting here. the Alabama depart ment will show at the Montgomery convention the largest paid up mem bership this department ever re- ported. Membership drives are now under way in every section of the state and the committeeman present made very favorable reports. Sick and wounded veterans and ex-soldiers who are otherwise disabled are be- ing aided by the legion in Alabama and the organization of ex-service men Is being recognized as a positive factor In civic affairs in every com munity where they are organized. The state executive committee has in- dorsed the good roads bond amend ment and the Mobile port amendment. which the legionnaires will undertake to put over along with the measure exempting ex-soldiers from the pay ment of poll tax.
 It was reported at the meeting that in several instances the provisions of the veterans bureau for the ex- tension of vocational training to dis abied veterans are being abused. and 1t was the sense of the executive com mittee of the Alabama department that the so-called gold brickers' guilty of this offense be weeded out and that the legion cooperate to that end. It was urged. however, that the legion continue it's efforts to se- cure compensation and rehabilita- tion for all service men who are justly entitled to governmental bounty.
 A rousing appeal from National Commander Hanford MacNider for in- creased membership in the Alabama department was read and every com mitteeman present pledged his sup port to the departmental commander anu u WOih lOWdlO the emu of 5000 members for Alabama by the time of the New Orleans convention.
 A committee consisting of A. G. Conoly and Matt Murphy of Birming- ham, and Marion Rushton of Mont gomery, was appointed to audit the books of the state department and report to the state commander, who was instructed to send the report to all the posts of the state for their information.
 Those attending the meeting were: Past Commander Murphy. Commander Ayers. National Committeeman Dix on, Adjutant Yates, Vice Commander J. Fred Johnson of Florence, Welfare Officer E. J. Quinn, F. J. Winslett, Committeeman w. K. Miokle. Mobile; George Douville, Dadeville; Hargrove VandeGraff, Tuscaloosa; Wave Scott, Cullman; Lindsey Nathan. Sheffield, and A. G. Conoly. Birmingham.