Evening star., 1926-09-19
,PERSH|NG DECLINES
LEGION CANDIDACY
Could Not Give Full Time as
: Commander, He Writes.
Settling Question.

Gen. John j. Pershing Is not can
didate for national commander of tho
American Legion. nor could he accept
the post. on account OF the press of
other affairs.
This definite attitude of the com
mander OF the American Expedition
airy Forces on the matter was made
known last night in q communication
to the officers and members of George
Washington Post. No. |. Gen. Persh
ing is charter member of this post.
which recently indorsed him, as did
the District Department Of the
Legion. for the comma ndership. which
will he awarded at the Legion conven-
tion in Philadelphia October Ills.
He is Content to serve I'm the ranks.
he wrote.
The letter apparently settles the
question Of the FershinE candidacy
which has been agitated in several
quarters. where for sentimental rea-
sons 1t had been hoped to have the
wartime comma nder lead the vet
Grams to Paris for their annual con
vention next year.
Grateful for Confidence.
Gen. Pershing wrote:
"Since my return from abroad !
have learned of the very complinen.
tary resolution passed by Genrc"
Washington POSt. proposing my name
for the high office of national com
ma nder of the American Legion. As
charter member | am in accord with
the noble aims and purposes of 'he
Legion. and retain Ar abiding inter
u al
shall ever cherish association with i's
veteran membership.
THE Legion has become an invAlu
BILE asset to the Nation. It's unwrt
ten code imposes an obligation ~
guard in peace those tenets of liberty
so gsllantly and unseifshly defended
in war 1t riEhteousiy stands for the
maintenance Of law and order, and its
influence for good citizenship should
be far-reaching.
NECESSARILY the duties and reepon-
SibilitieS of the comma n:er arc mani
fold He is at once tho Lecion's ey
ecutive and representative. and also
the exponent of it's patriotic principles
and ideals. As head Of the orEaniza-
ton, he can do no less than devote
himself wholly to it's affairs.
Because Of important work that I
have In hand at present. ii would nnt
be possible for me To give the eXclU-
sive attention 10 this task which eff
cient leadership demands. am.
therefore. compelled to deny myself
the opportunity for an honor that
might we'll crown the career Of any
soldier
Il am not candidate for the off're
and have not authorized The use NJ my
name in that connection. I shall he
content tn serve in the ranks.
Thanking you for the confidence
which your action implies. ] pledge
anew my loyalty tn the Legion and
my support To the man who may he
chosen national commander.
Faithfully yours.
(signedD JOHN j. PERSH1NG.
Other Rackprs to Get Copy.
copv of the communication will
he turned over to the delegation re-
Gently elected at the District or Co
lumbia department convention. which
una nimously adopted resolution 10
present the name Of Gen. Pershing
before the convention at Philadelphia.
At a meeting several weeks ago of
George Washington Post the name of
Gen. Pershing was advanced as
posSihle candidate for the office. and
the post una animously inGorsed him,
with instructions to present his name
at the department convention held
August 27-3O. These instructions were
followed. witA the result that the Con-
vention took similar action.
The two names of outstanding
legionnaires mentioned in connection
! with the nationa! comma nderrhip
! were Gen. Pershing and Comdr. Ed
ward F.. Spafford, a former lieutenant
comma ander. l.. :. Navy. tomdr.
SpaffOrd is a past State comma nder
of New York and WAS runner-up last
year to Gen. John r. McQuigg. tho
present national comma nder. For
several years past he has served a.
chairman of the national naval affairs
committee and as a member Of the
national executive committee of the
American Legion.