Evening star., 1922-08-25
10000 VETERANS
GOING TO MEETING
President Expected to Ad-
dress Legion Convention
at New Orleans.
PROGRAM IS ELABORATE
Pershing, Lejeune, Gompers and
Lands Among Those Ac-
cepting Invitations.
PROGRAM is ELABORATE
EY the Associated Press.

ceptlng INVITATIONS.
by the Associated Press.
NEW ORLEANS, La. August 20
The Crescent city is preparing 10
entertain the largest gathering in ITS
history when 10000 members OF the
American Legion and other visitors
come to the legion's national conVen-
ton here. October 1920.
With the tentative acceptance OF the
convention invitation by President
Harding and Gen. Pershing, and the
definite acceptance of Maj. Gen. John
y. Lejeune. commandant of the United
States Marine Corps: Samuel Gompers.
president of the American Federation
of Labor and kenesaw Mountain
Lands, commissioner Of base ball.
the legion meeting will assume ma
tional Importance. Convention offl-
cialS also expect to entertain famous
marshal of France and other world
war notables. Prominent among the
distinguished guests will be twenty
five wearers of the congressional med
al of honor. the highest award for
bravery made by the United States.
President Sends Reply.
President Harding has written con-
vention headquarters that he will
come to New Orleans If the pressure
of public affairs does not interfere.
and a similar message has been re-
ceived from Gen. Pershing, who led
the legion men in France and who
was a guest at their national gather
ing in Kansas City last year. The
visit of Gen. Lejeune will be of espe-
cial interest to legionaires. since the
NJ vii Loo ic Of
Louisiana and was one of the most
popular commanding generals in the
American eXpeditionary forces. The
presence of Mr.. Gompers at the con-
vention is expected to develop closer
relations between the legion and Or
ganized labor. Judge Lands is the
father of former service man and
has spoken at legion gatherings in all
parts of the country.
In preparation for the visit of the
thousands OF former service men. the
convention committee has prepared an
elaborate program of entertainment
Convention sessions will be held only
in the mornings. enabling delegates
and visitors to participate in the fes-
tivities the remainder of the day.
Athletic Meet to Be Held.
The first American Legion national
Olympic meet will be held at the con-
vention. Legion athletes from every
state will compete for national cham
pionships in track and field events
aquatic sports. amateur boxing and
wrestling, golf and tennis. There also
will be a national craftsmanship con-
test and tournament Of professional
boxers. A decision bout between Bob
Martin. who won the heavyweight
championship at the tournament
staged by A. E. F. fighters after the
armistice. and Capt Roper, heavy
weight champion of the service men
who remained in America. will be one
of the leading features of the boxing
card. The legion bantamweight
championship will be settled when
Johnny Buff and Pal Moore meet in
the convention ring.
Ranking with the athletic meet will
be naval show in the port of New
Orleans and on Lake Ponchartrain
Dreadnaughts, cruisers. submarines
and subchasers from all the great
naval powers are to be on exhibition
Legion national officers are now
making arrangements for ships to
come from England. France. Italy and
a number of South American coun-
tries. In addition there will be a 40
tilla of yachts and small pleasure
craft on Lake Ponchartrain.
Seaplanes to Attend.
The United States Navy will send a
number of seaplanes from Pensacola
Fla On one of the convention nights
these planes will fly over the busine ss
district. dropping flares and lights in
imitation OF the bombing raids made
by the Germans over the American
trenches and billets
Memories of days in France will be
revived by number of New Orleans
societies. which will combine in the
presentation Of French carnival
night. Stores will be labeled with
French p}o
garb of Brittany. Normandy and 9TH
er French provinces will be mingled
with the khaki. blue and green Of
the veterans. Downtown streets will
be illuminated by $4,000 electric bulbs
and will be decorated with fiags Of
allied powers. state seals and legion
banners and emblems. Doughboys in
search of former comrades will meet
in impromptu reunions under divis-
ional insignia flags to be hung over
the streets.
$4,000 to March.
Fifty thousand marchers and 100
bands are expected to participate in
the convention parade. The legion
naires will march by states in the
the last year. To stimulate the at
tendance of bands from all states
s1,150 in prizes will be awarded to
the finest legion bands in the parade
and $3.50 will go to the best drum
corps.
Col. Guy Malony, superintendent Of
police of New Orleans, has announc-
ed that 1000 uniformed legionnaires
will assist his police force in regu-
lating the large crowds thronging
the convention parade streets and
that the legionnaires will serve as
trict.
The grant of a rate Of one fare for
the round trip to the convention by
all railroads will augment the con-
vention crowds, according to local
legion officials.
Special Rates Provided.
Housing arrangements are being
undertaken with a view Of accom-
modating 10000 visitors. A special
rate Of S1.50 a day without bath and
$3.50 a day with bath has been grant
cities, equipped with the conven-
fences of a modern hotel, will be es-
tablished by three large railroads to
house approximately $4,000 legion
naireS. The housing committee also
is considering the creation of a tent
and business properties. 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 Mis-
nearly 1000 feet long and 400 feet
wide. astride the levee and parallel
to the Father of Waters" will be the
scene of the national convention de-
liberations.
Amplifiers will be installed to in
committee will spend $4,000 in pre-
Darjnp the pier and decorating 1t for