New Britain herald., 1926-10-11
Colorful Sight as Thou
 sands of Veterans Ar- rive in Quaker City Dawes, Pinchot, Reed, Lejune and Landis to Speak During Week.
Miami Campaigning for 1928 Convention Mes- sage From President Praises Work in Get ting Out the Vote" <,

Philadelphia, Oct. II 0P -- Le- gionnaires began their great of. fensive against Philadelphia toda- as the eighth annual convention Of the American Legion got under way.
 The shock troops from every state overran the city and as the official communique might phrase it, the Philadelphia sector was captured without casualty.
 Is Stirring Sight
 Amid the blare of bugles, the humping Of drums and the shouts of greeting by former comrades who lined the streets, thousands of delegates marched through tho city from the railroad stations and steamship docks to their head quarters in the Atlantic building. Medals of honor that told of deeds of valor on the battlefields adorned the breasts of many and the shouts and laughter brought stirring re- minders of the days when the doughboys came home at the end of the World war.
 Colorful Throng
 Uniforms of every hue and color dotted the throng. Women. wearing brilliant red overseas caps and flowing capes mingled in tho hosts of khaki. blue, gray and or- ange colored uniforms. Headquar- ters of the various state delegates were opened in the hotels and the welcome sign hung on the doors.
 Each incoming delegation was greeted as it detrained by young women in the garb of colonial maids and received with shouts and cheers upon entering the registra- ton Headquarters. In the rear of the big room, the society of For ty and Eight" tho play orsaniza- ton of the Legion, maintained its headquarters and pinned its official emblem on the jackets of its menl- oers as they filed in. Many of the newcomers were registered for the wreck" of the Forty and Eight" as the initiation ceremony of the order Is known. The initiation will be held Thursday night.
 Busy Week Ahead
 busy week was ahead of the delegates. First on the program to. day was the annual report of John R. McQuigg, national commander. and an address by Wilder Metcalf. chairman of the national finance committee of the Legion. Questions or policy regarding the Legion's major activities for the coming year will be decided. The election or new national commander and the decision as to whether the 1927 convention shall be held In Pari, were other important questions to be decided
 Miami Wants Convention
 Miami. Fla, is a candidate >o, the 1928 meeting and the Florida delegation is conducting a lively campaign. Attired in white fiannels. orange colored overseas caps. white shoes and walking sticks, the southerners march through the streets with all sorts of banners setting forth their claims.
 Miami may be down, but she's never out" reads one of the ban- ners. Come to Miami for tho tenth annual convention in 1928"
 A number Of prominent men are scheduled for addresses during tha week, among them being vics Fresldent Charles c. Dawes, United states Senator David A. Reed and Governor Pinchot, of Pennsvlvania. Major General John A. Leieune, commandant Of the United State, marine corps. and K. M. Landis baseball commissioner.
 Message From President
 A message from President Cool ldge' In which he praises +b. American Legion's effort to arouse the dormant voters of the country 10 a sense of citizenship duty, wa, read before the convention. It wa. addressed to National Commander John E. McQuigg and read.
 It has been called to my att tention that you are soon to hay. your eighth annual convention in Philadelphia. Will you be good enough at that time to express my greetings and best wishes 10 your comrades.
 It Is a real pleasure each year to testify to my high regard for the American Legion. and to my great appreciation of the service, which were rendered to our coun. try by its members.
 The past tense does not ade. qultely express my feelings. For truly patriotic citizens, the dutie, or peace are as vital a. those of war. In a sense they are more so. Shirkers in peace time are to be condemned as severely as slackers during war.
 T am particularly gratified to know that in cooperation with the | National Civic federation, you are