Evening star., 1926-11-07

Doard or governors OF the past and
also the action of the post in indors-
ing him for national commander of
the American Legion. He gave the
same explanation for declining to be
candidate as outlined in letter re-
Gently to the post prior to the national
convention at Philadelphia. He real
lied, he said. the responsibilities of
that very important and, exalted posi-
tion in the Legion and the action of
that convention in electing him and
Marshal Ferdinand Foch, also a mem
ber of George Washington Post. as
honorary national commanders for
life, was very gratifying to him.
In commenting on Armistice day he
urged the Legionnaires to participate
in ceremonies held on that date. That
great day should be commemorated,
he continued and especially here in
Washington, as it leaves good i'm
preston on, the people in the vicinity.
He urged a spirit of cooperation
among the members of the various
posts and more get together meetings
for the purpose of extending that
comradeship which grew out of the
war. He advocated the consolidation
Of posts in this department and felt
that three or four posts would be
ample here.
The speaker said he was looking
forward TO the pilgrimage to Paris
next year and spoke enthusiastically
of that trip. which he said should
be taken by every Legionnaire who
could possibly do so. AS guests of
the French government the American
soldiers who participated in the great
conflict would find the French vet
Grams ready and anxious to resume
that fraternal spirit when they land
on the other side. At the conclusion
of his address he was introduced to
every member present at the meet
ing
Mai. Gen. Amos A. Fries. L. S. A.,
department commander of the Ameri-
can Legion. followed Gen. Pershing
and indorSed his suggestions and also
urged a closer companionship and
unity Of action in Legion affairs. He
outlined plans discussed at a luncheon
Tuesday afternoon at the Hotel Eb-
bit attended by Past Comdr. Howard
s. Fisk of George Washington Post,
when he suggested that Sons of
the American Legion" organization
be started among the sons of the vet
Grams of the World War. He ex-
pressed the thought that a series of
season dances should be held, not as
money making propositions but in
order that the members of the Legion
in the District might have an oppor-
tunity to becomesbetter acquainted.
Armistice day, continued Gen.
Fries, will be celebrated with midday
service at noon at keith's Theater on
that date. followed later in the aft
ernoon with a pilgrimage to the tomb
of the Unknown Soldier. where
wreath will be placed in the name of
the Department of the District of
Columbia. The general public is
invited to attend both ceremonies and
Legionnaires are urged to participate
in the activities. The program at
Keiths will consist of brief speeches
appropriate to the occasion and music
by one of the service bands. Exer-
cises will also be held in the various
high schools and colleges in this city
throughout the day.
National Comdr. Howard P.
Savage has issued an ArmlSt1ce day
proclamation setting forth that the
day should de dedicated to the tasks
of peace. He says 1t is fitting and
proper that on that day the more
than 10000 posts of the American
Legion should pledge themselves to
the ideal of community betterment,
promise to perform during the COM
ing year one worthwhile task to make
the community in which they exist
better place in which to live.
Efforts will be concentrated the COM
ing year by the national rehabilitation
committee of the American Legion on
obtaining needed hospital appropria-
tions from Congress and in effecting
desirable reforms in the administra-
tion of the United States Veterans
Bureau. according to announcement
made by Watson B. Miller, chairman
of the committee.
The executive committee of L. S. S.
Jacob Jones Post, No. 2, American
Legion, met with Helen G. ONeill,
1909 Nineteenth street, Wednesday
evening. The November meeting of
the post will be held tomorrow at s
pm. at the Endion Club. IA Jackson
place. Nomination of post officers for
927 will be made at this meeting.
The commander will give a full report
of the national convention proceed
ings and the organization of the Ma
tional Woman tFl.
The membership standing Of the
various States is announced by ma
tional headquarters as follows: Ala.
hama, All: Arizona. 3,705: Arkansas.
6531; California, 30,465: Colorado.
7,272: Connecticut, $50: Delaware,
1922; District of Columbia o,623;
Florida. 12,423; Georgia, 1919; Idaho,
4s10: Illinois, 57,428; Indiana, 1901;
Iowa, 32.7S5: Kansas. 1864: Louisi-
ana, 5.63S: Maine, 1927: Maryland,
2.497: Massachusetts, 31,S69; Michi-
gan. 16.142: Minnesota. 27,504: Missis-
sippi, 4,164; Missouri, 11,o14, Montana,