Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1923-03-28
40 AND IS"
ORGANIZE POST
FOR THE VALLEY
The Shrine of American
Legion Launched Here
in Fine Shape

Voiture Locale No. 512, La Aso-
ciate des 40 HOmfnes ct Chevaux,
was organized at Brawley last
night and from all Indications is
expected to become one of the
most fiourishinS organizations in
the county.
While the above title may mean
little, if anything, to the average
man, the service man knows it
Is the Local Post, No. 5l2 OF the
society of 40 men and horses.
Getting that title down to plain
English, means it is the organiza-
ton within the American Legion
which is similar to the Shrine of
the Masons or the Yellow Dogs of
the Elks. In other words it is the
social organization of the Legion,
membership in which is limited on
ly to those Legionaires who have ac-
complished some good for the ben
Eft of their organization, and tho
iutfe it't tHdt ~ man - Il LIZ gym
aire, does not entitlc him to mem
bcrship in the 40 and s's' as the
organization is known.
The history Of the organization
dates back to the first national con
vention of the Legion in 1920 when
memories of war days brought back
to the Legionairts vivid recollec-
tions Of journeys in the dinkey
French railroad ears bearing on
their side the legend $40 Hommes,
8 Chevaux meaning the capacity
of the ear was limited to 40 men
or eight horses. Any" buck who
was lover there can tell shat the
40 men more often were nearer to
60 than 40 and everybody had to
pull In their breath when fellow
wished to shift while trying to get
to sleep.
Fame Spreads Quickly
The 40 and SIS quickly spread
throughout the country and have
made b reputation among ex-service
men for being active workers in
behalf of Legion Is aims and oh
ajects. AS yet no organization had
been organized in the valley,
though there are several members
here and visiting Iegionaires have
extolled the virtues of the 40 and
SIS. AS soon as convenient, the
wrecking crew. as the degree
team is called, will come down from
Los Angeles to put the local boys
through their PAGES, and according
to the "dope", anything is likely
to happen to prospective candi-
dates. Those who have been
through claim the Argonne, ST. Mic
hel and trying to get Il blouse from
the Quartemaster, were child 8 play
compared to the things they do to
the neophytes. The gang who or
ganized last night are game, how
ever. o..
Officers elected are Charles f.
Nice, chef de gare (president); Cal
Mousseau, chef de train (viee-pres-
ident); f. A. Johnson, Brawley,
commissaire intendcnt (treasurer)
w. B. Smith, Imperial, correspon.
dente (secretary); Charles Barry,
FL Contro, .eonducteur (master of
ceremonies); Mike Rumsky, Cali
patira; Dewey Carey, Brawley, l..
T. Morehead, Calipatria, gardes do
prissonniers Especial guards) w. B.
Nichols, Brawley, garde de la pos
te, sergeant at arms); Charles
Moss, Brawley; Or. Wells, Brawley,
and 8. d. Carey, Brawley, ehemin.
at local executive committee.)
This bunch plans to whip the $40
and S's" into a live organization
of "go-getters" between now and
the time the national convention
is held in San Francisco in October,
when a bang-up" turnout from
Imperial Valley is planned.