The Washington times., 1923-08-31
FRISCO PLANS
BIG WELCOME
FO RLEG|ON
Thousands Expected to Attend
Annual Meet of Veterans
ia Coast Metropolis.
By ROBERT s. THORNBURGH.
international News Service,

International News Service.
INDIANAPOLIS Ind, Aug. T.-
San Francisco is preparing to give
the American Legion a genuine
Western welcome when thousands
of Legionnaires gather at the
Golden Gate October Is to 10. for
the fifth annual convention, ac-
cording to information reaching
National Commander Alvin Owsley
here.
With q big squadron of the
American battle fleet promised By
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
Theodore Roosevelt, himself one Of
the soldiers of the A. z. F.. who
officially organized the legion at
the Quay d'Orsay, in Paris in the
spring of 1919, and with conven-
tion arrangements in charge Of
Lieut.-Gen. Hunter Liggett, U. s..
A, retired, who during the Meuse-
Argonne offensive commanded the
greatest American army that ever
took the field, Commander Owsley
81 confident the 1923 convention
viii be q tremendous triumph.
More than 10000 visitors are
expected to be present, word from
General Liggett indicated. Through
arrangements with hotel men Of
San Francisco the convention COM
mittee finds It win be able to
house all delegates and guests in
hotels and that 1t win not be neceS-
eary to send convention visitors TO
private homes, as has been the
custom at previous legion gather
3ngs.
General Liggett, who, after re-
tirement from the army, won the
hearts OF San Francisco Legion.
naires by DOMINIC overalls and TAX
ing up hammer and saw to help
remodel e veterans clubroom, is
assisted In preparing for the con-
vention by some Of the most sue
cessful business and professional
men Of San Francisco. National
Legion headquarters, said the COM
mittee, with wide previous expert
ence In handling big conventions,
notably the Mystic Shrine gather
ing Of 1922, is assured Of success
In its undertaking.
Elaborate arrangements are be-
ing made from the Atlantic to the
Pacific and from the Gulf to the
Great Lakes by the Legion posts
looking to large representation at
the gathering, according to word
reaching national headquarters.
Savings clubs have been organ
lied In many posts by which mem
beers are accommodating the necessary
funds for the long journey to the
Pacific Coast.
Special Rail Rates.
Commander Owsley announced
that railroad rate of one fare
for the round trip from all points
in the United States Is to be avail
able to members OF the Legion,
OF the American Legion Auxiliary,
composed of mothers wives. sis
tiers and daughters Of Legionnaires
and to widows Of Legion members.
The special rate. in the opinion
of national officials, will increase
the convention attendance consid-
0rably.
Another factor to contribute to
higher attendance Is the number
Of entertainments arranged for con-
vention tourists as they pass
through various cities en- route.
Special receptions win be held
in Denver, Minneapolis, st. Paul,
FL Paso, Portland, Los Angeles and
several other cities. Visitors viii
be conducted to. points of interest.
Although the entertainment pro-
gram has not yet been completed.
q number Of features have been
announced. Among the most inter
esting events viii be a naval show
In the harbor. in which ships from
ali parts OF the world will partici-
pate.
All allied nations have been in
vited to send vessels to the dis
play. Included in the squadron
promised by the American Navy
Department will be nine battleships,
thirty eight destroyers and a num-
Der of armoRed cruisers, tenders,
hospital ships and other auxiliary
craft. The California, Maryland,
New York, Texas. Pennsylvania,
Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho and
Tennessee, with q personnel Of over
1900 men, are expected to be
present.
Big Aerial Circus.
National headquarters said a big
aerial circus, made up of airplanes
and balloons from the Western Ma
val and Army Air Stations, un-
doubtedly would be included in the
military display.
In conjunction with the conven.
ton there will be many reunions
OF divisional societies and regimen
tai and company organizations. The
Ninety first Division. composed of
men of the Pacific Coast, viii hold
o reunion.
The famous Forty and Eight So.
ciety-Homme 40 Chaveaux g.
built on the traditional travel &C.
commodations of the American SOL
der in diminutive French box cars.
will stage tbs annual Promenade
Rationale
Several parades, including the an
nual Legion pageant, in which &c.
900 men marched at New Orleans.
will be among the features.
More than 100 bands and drum
corps will. provide the music and
participate in a national contest
for cash prizes. In many cities
commercial and civic organizations
are assisting in defraying expenses
Of the musical organizations to the
convention, believing their pres.
ence good advertising to the re-
spective communities.
National headquarters has issued
an order that all hotel reserva-
lions must be made through the
Legion adjutants of the Vafious
States. The department adjutants
will make arrangements direct with
the convention housing committee.
WHEAT LOW OR BREAD
HIGH AYERS EXPERT