Evening star., 1926-10-12
D. c. LEG|ONNA|RES
MARCHAT SESQU|
Capitals Delegation to Ma
tionaI Convention Largest
in Departments History.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

! PHILADELPHIA October 12.-The
| District of Columbia delegation this
| afternoon participated in the big fea-
! ture OF the national convention of the
! American Legion now in session here
! the annual parade
The representation from the Ma
tiOnal Capital is the largest in the his
j tory of the department. and includes
q large number of yeomen CD and
members of the Nurse Corps. Maj
| Gen. Amos A. Fries, department COM
mander, headed the District marchers.
| The parade proceeded from City Hall
| to the stadium in the Sesquicenten-
| NAL Exposition, where the parade was
| reviewed by Vice President Dawes,
Maj. Gen. j. A. Lejeune, u. S. Marine
| Corps: Admiral Coontz. Mayor Free
! land Kendrick and many other prom
inent persons. The marchers from the
District Of Columbia paraded to music
| furnished by the Costello Bugle and
| Drum Corps and the McGroarty-
| O'Connell Bugle and Drum Corps,
each organization being represented
by 80 pieces. Both outfits We're attired
in new uniforms.
Late Arrivals Swell Ranks.
The McGroarty-O'Conn Drum
Corps arrived from Washington short
ly before noon and proceeded to the
starting point of the parade. A large
number from the various posts in the
District arrived this morning and
greatly enlarged the representation in
line.
The delegation attended short ses-
sion of the eighth annual convention
this morning, retiring in time to par
ticipate in the parade. Yesterday and
11S ,irrl,% l1A IalD
were busily engaged in committees
shaping up reports for presentation to
the convention.
Miss Esther V. Hall, commander of
the Jacob Jones Post and a depart
ment vice commander, placed a
wreath on the monument of Com
modore John Barry at Independence
Square on behalf of Yeomen CD Post,
No. so, of Philadelphia. En- route to
this city Sunday she placed a wreath
on the grave of Capt. Jacob Jones at
Wilmington, Del, where a brief stop
over was made.
Mitchell Declines Election.
Col. Billy Mitchell a delegate to
the convention, was elected chairman
of the convention aeronautics commit
tee by acClamation, but declined the
honor. He Is representing the District
delegation on this important commit
tee.
Maj. Gen. Fries announced today
that he had completed arrangements
for exercises in the amphitheater at
Arlington Cemetery on Armistice day.
He feels that ArmiStice day is Legion
day and should be honored by District
Legionnnaires. In the evening a ball
will be given under the auspices of
the District department., the place to
be announced later.
The political caucuseS have started
to work, and candidates for national
commander of the American Legion |
are now being ScrutiniZed in time for
the election Friday afternoon. The |
longest caucus so far adjourned at |
o'clock this morning, and Gen. John |
j. Pershing, a charter member of |
George Washington Post, the pioneer |
post of the American Legion, is the i
figure for this high honor. |
Gen. Pershing Arrives.
Gen. Mitchell seems popular with |
the Southern delegation and also mem |
berS from Wisconsin. There are |
rumors that his name may be placed
in nomination, but with Mitchell in
the field for national commander it
would mean three District men on the
slate for national officers. The other
District candidate is Father Francis
J. Hurney for national chaplain.
Mitchell and Father Hurney are
members Of Costello Post.
The department convention pledged
it's support for Gen. Pershing for ma
tional commander, which mandate
must be carried out by the delegation,
and leaves Mitchell in the position of
not being supported by his own dele
cation.
The caucus, which adjourned early
this morning, appointed a committee
to visit Gen. Pershing, who arrived
here last night, and ascertain his
views on the situation.