Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-19
Frisco Delegates Dras-
tic Offering Turned
Down as Well as Pro-
Khan One Made by
Oklahoma Delegate
Michigan Res0lu-
ton Wins Following
Hot Addresses

San Francisco, Oct. 1s-The Am
erican Legion, in fifth annual conven-
t,on. here today. adopted resolutions
declaring inconsistent with the ideals
and purposes Of the Legion any in
dividual or organization which fos-
ters racial, religious, or class strife;
recommended that the Legion urge
the Federal Government to continue
cordial relations with the former al
lies and endorsed Frances occupa-
ton Of the Rhur.
A verbal battle over the Ku Klux
Khan issue that has stirred the con-
yention since it convened Monday, in
which the press was charged with
irving to split the Legion, ragged for
several hours and resulted in the
adoption of the Michigan" anti-Klan
resolution. which does not mention
any organization by name.
Nine hundred and thirty three DEL
egates voter for the Michigan" reso-
luton after the convention had over
whelmingly voted down a resolution
the Oklahoma delegation introduced
to offset a denunciatory resolution
offered by Charles f. kendrick, of
San Francisco. The Kendrick reso-
luton also lost, SIS to 142, and Ken
drick accused the Legion of pussy
footing on the Khan question"
Kendrick, in offering his substitute
resolution, said:
Far be 1T from me to see injected
into this convention a religious issue.
But theer is a religious issue here
and has been for two years cloud
cries of MOI greet him.)
I'VE cannot pussy-foot here. Let
us tear the mask off things and face
them as they are.
I'VE all known that when Dee
CAMS name was proposed for COM
mander that he was defeated on &C
count Of his religion"
This was greeted by cries OF mo-"
and Kendrick withdrew the words
and resumed:
Therefore, I offer substitute
motion as follows:.
"Resolyed, that the Ku Klux Khan
is an organization destructive to
American principles and ideals and
was unfair to hundreds of thou
sands of American soldiers during
the World War.
nounces the ku klux Khan as an or
ganization of disloyal citizens
The question was seconded by
Quinn of Maine.
Kendrick told the convention that
during the war the country did not
know whether a man was Catholic,
Jew or negro. He said:
at is high time for the American
Legion to stand for what is says 1t
stands for, that we show the cour-
age we had during the war.
Are we less Americans than the
American Federation of Labor"
They haven't pussy-footed on the
question of the Ku Klux Khan. They
have as many DICTIONARIES as we
have and they have gone on record as
opposing the Klans l submit my sub
stitute depending upon the manhood
of this legion to adopt my substi-
tute."
Tho original resolutions committee
report covering resolution 4O7,
Michigan's resolution on the ku Klux
Klan. was carried by roar Oh
ayes"
Oklahoma's resolution. which was
submitted by E. w. Whitney, who
stated to the press that he was q
member of the Ku Klux Khan. was
lost by a roar of NO" The resolu-
ton follows:
Resolved. That The American
Legion adheres to its original pur-
pose and stands for the service man
irrespective of belief in religion or
politics and welcomes all such to IT'S
fold. That within this fold such
question or utilization he never raised
to the prejudice or hurt of any one,
but the spirit of tolerance and good
will be extended to all irrespective OF
their belief in or adherence to any
society or organization whatsoever.
as long as the same does not con-
hict with allegiance to God and the
government Of the United States.
st. Paul was selected for the
sixth annual convention OF the
American Legion in 1924. Paris,
France. was recommended as the
convention city in 1923 on the tenth
annual anniversary OF the signing
OF the armistice.
The American Legion rehabilita-
ton committees report urging that
first consideration be given for the
capitalization and rehabilitation
Of disabled ex-service men, was
unanimously adopted this afternoon.