Smyrna times., 1925-07-22
SMYRNA HAS PROMINENT PART
At STATE LEGION CONVENTION
w. E. MATTHEW'S AND SMYRNA
POST PRAISED FOR AMBULANCE
Matthews Could Have Had Office of
State Commander But Withdrew to
Cot Mo-, E,,.tLo. n. CAA

w. +. Matthews, Jr., Earl w. Grant
and Gus Wick represented David C.
Harrison Post, No. IA, of SMYRNA, at
the annual convention of the Ameri-
can Legion of Delaware, held at the
Bellhaven Hotel in RehOboth last Fri
day and Saturday. They report a
most delightful session. Smyrna came
into prominence for its activities of
the year, not only in doubling its
membership but in putting across the
drive for an ambulance for the town
of Smyrna. William +. Matthews,Jr.,
commander of the Smyrna Post was
strongly boosted by the down-state
posts for Commander of Delaware.
He was put in nomination and made
a splendid run but Wilmington and
Harrington had candidates too. JIM.
Holmes was being run for Wilmington
and Earl Sylvester for Harrington.
When it was seen that election might
go to Wilmington again, Mr. Mat
thews withdrew from the race and
threw his support to Sylvester who
won by the bare majority of one vote.
The election of Earl Sylvester it is
thought, will help in organizing Sus-
sex County which is largely without
active posts and for this reason he
was picked the logical man. Other
officers elected were: Jay NJ. Holmes,
Wilmington, vice-commander; Leslie
Sweeney, Wilmington, State historian;
Lawrence Kelley, Wilmington, serge
ant-at-arms; Rev. William Gibson,
New Castle, chaplain. Rehoboth
was again selected as the place for
the convention to be held next year
The date set was Saturday, July II.
The following delegation to the ma
tional convention was named: Former
Governor William d. Denney, Jay NJ
Holmes, Wilmington; Paul Heinel,
Wilmington, and J. A. Crothers, VIII
mington, and w. f. Matthews, Jr., of
Smyrna.
School Question and Other Matters
Several resolutions were acted upon
during the afternoon session, includ-
ing one concerning the school question
in Delaware. A resolution requested
Governor Robinson to call a special
session of Legislature was laid on the
table. This resolution in its fOrepart
required the Legion to 90 on record
as believing that "the schools of the
State are not of such character and
capacity to give our children a fair
opportunity to obtain the education to
which they as children of the United
States are absolutely entitled" A res
olution expressing the opinion of the
convention that there should be no re-
duction in the personnel of the Ma
tional Guard, the Regular Army or
ganized reserves, was adopted.
Favor Flag Day as Defense Day
The Ladies Auxiliary submitted
resolution suggesting the celebration
of National Defense Day on Flag Day,
June IA, instead of on independence
Day, July a. The resolution was
adopted as were three or four others
commenting the work of national Of
fcers of the American Legion. The
report of Jay NJ. Holmes, chairman of
the State Legion Committee, in the
recent drive for the American Legion
Endowment Fund was read and APP
proved. The report was addressed to
J. A. Crothers, outgoing State COM
mander and outlined the progress and
success of the campaign. The total
amount subscribed, as shown in the
report, was $16,378.4O, of which $12,-
370.37, was in cash. Mr.. Holmes
pointed out that the result of the
campaign "gOes far beyond the dollars
that have been raised. 1t has not
alone raised the dollars. 1t has raised
the ideals, the advanced purposes, and
the desire to serve all humanity in the
hearts and minds of the Legionnaires
of our State. 1t therefore appears to
me that the greater result of our cam
paign is that the individual members
of our Legion have developed a stand
ard of humanitarian service and civic
obligation that will go long way in
their individual manhood, |
their character as citizens, and great |
ly aid their capacity to serve as bet
ter citizens of our State" The con-
ventiOn came to a close with the dance
held Saturday night at the Belhaven
BIG WHEAT YIELD COLCHESTER
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