The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-08
DRAIN GUEST
OF STATE AT
LEGION MEET
National Commander Delivers
Address to N. ID. Veterans
at Valley City
REPORTS ARE GIVEN
Work of Organization Is
Reviewed by Officers at
Session Today

Valley City,. july s.-LF-A new
birth Of understanding has come to
the American Legion during the past
two years. James A. Drain. national
commander of the organization, said
here today in addressing the annual
convention Of the department of
North Dakota.
The American Legion has passed
the days of its childhood" Command
err Drain said, land left behind it the
state of experiment.: it stands today
strong, sturdy and fit to give the
same unsclfish service to God and
country in peace that its members
gave during the war.
Public Spirited
THE Legion has no right to be
other than Il public spirited, non-self-
seeking organization. If it is to be Il
self seeking organization it might as
we'll close up shop and go out of
business.
at will not do that, for in more
than 35 states where l have been
have seen hundreds of thousands Of
lcgionnaircs doing deeds of service to
the community, state and nation.
''ln almost everyone of these states
in nearly every talk to Legion men,
have told them as l tell you, ! would
rather have hundred men who came
into the Legion for what they could
give, than a million men who came
in for what they could get. This is
basely what the founders of the L"-
gion wanted. It is the spirit that is
moving it today"
Commander Gives Report
Reports of his work on conventions,
national and state. on the hospital
secured for Fargo, on the state Le-
gion band, the endowment fund
membership and legislation, were in
cluded in the annual presidents re-
port, submitted today by A. b. Carl
son. state commander.
Mr.. Carlson first outlined his work
in securing the accommodations for
North Dakota delegates and visitors
at the St. Paul national Legion con-
and some Of the results of
the convention as they affected North
Dakota Legionnaires.
He then took up the appointment
of district deputies, telling the l.e-
of the appointment OF
Martin Honoen, Mayville, first dis
trict; F.. j. Webb, st. Thomas. sec
ond; Walter Curtis, Lisbon, third:
James Morris, Darlington. fourth;
Walter McGahey, Williston, fifth. and
H. X. Handtmann, Mandan, sixth dis
trict deputies.
The state Legion commander then
told his "buddies" of the work of Sc
curing a government hospital for
North Dakota veterans, at Fargo, and
of the work of William Stern, Of
Fargo, in this connection. "All credit
for the success Of the fight for
North Dakota veterans hospital
should and must be given to 'BilP
Stern," Mr.. Carlson said.
Endowment Fund
He then took up the Legion endow-
ment fund drive. which had been out
lined by State Adjutant Jack Will
liams.
The state commander said that the
legislation committee Of the organi-
cation, "although there was no Leg
islation that we were particularly in
terested in," was always on the alert
for bills that would be detrimental to
ex-service men,"
He announced that committee.
previously appointed, would report
later during the convention, on a
state Legion band, including the
probable cost of such music init
and the formation of one.
Mr.. Carlson thanked all members
of the Legion for their help during
the year, and for elccting and AS
sisting him in the office of state
commander.
Adjutant Reports
The achievement of the year which
the North Dakota department Of the
Legion points to with the
most pride is the oversubscription in
this state, by almost double the
quota of the states share in the ma
tional endowment fund drive. Jack
Williams, state adjutant of the Le-
gion, told members of the organiza-
tion today.
The state officer, in delivering his
annual report, pointed out that while
the states quota of the national five
million dollar drive was only $26 1000,
North Dakota contributed $45,21O, or
nearly double its quota. OF 176 posts
over the state given definite quota
to raise 1926 met their obligations
and oversubscribed enough to make
the greatly increased figures, he
said. The record was 50 good for this
state that the national Legion's mag
azine sent a special writer to tell
7 h4 Oh
North Dakota did it," Mr.. Williams
said.
Membership Grows
In reporting on membership, Mr..
Williams said that the "big question
faced by the state and national Le-
gion organizations is keeping the
membership in, growing condition.
I'VE in North Dakota" he continued,
"have been fortunate in quite con-
sistently holding up membership.
During 1928, 1924, 1925, we have kept
close to the eight thousand mark II
(Continuod ON mage tWo)