Evening star., 1926-10-11
CAPITAL VETERANS
THRONG MEETING
Drum Corps Stirs PhiIadel-
phia-MitcheII Boom for
Commander Likely.

Special DlSp8tCn 10 ne StdT
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, October IL
The District of Columbia delegation
to the eighth national convention of
the American Legion got an early
start today and participated in the
opening of the first Eastern conven-
ton in the history Of the veteran or
ganization Headed by Maj. Gen.
Amos A. Fries, chairman Of the dele
CATION and the Costello Post Bugle
and Drum Corps, the delegates lis
tened with interest to the opening OF
the convention by National Comdr.
John r. McQuaig and addresses OF
welcome. This afternoon the delegates
will attend the various convention
committees to which they have been
assigned
The District delegation arrived yes
terday afternoon at 4 O'Clock after
an uneventful trip and proceeded to
the District headquarters, in the Ma
jestic Hotel, to remain until Friday,
when the convention will adjourn. On
their arrival at the station they were
met by thousands Of legionnaires, in
Guiding the advance guard from the
District. The official reception COM
mittee came out to the train and ex-
tended the welcome Of the city in a
manner never before witnessed by
those who have attended former con-
ventions. Attired in colonial costume,
a score Of DANES. with a legiOnnaire
resembling William Penn, greeted the
District contingent on detraining and
escorted them to waiting automobiles.
which epeeded for the hotel.
Drum Corps Starts Song
The Costello Drum Corps, with Col.
BILLY" Mitchell in the vanguard,
startled the natives en- route to the
hotel by singing "HinkyDinky Farley
vous." The members of the drum
corps wore their bright red uniforms,
with white canvas cross belts and
white duck trousers and made most
favorable impression.
The first meeting Of the delegation
was held last night. The following
assignments on convention commit
tees were announced by Maj. Gen.
Fries:
Credentials and rules, Joseph J. Id
Ter; time and place next convention,
Paul j. McGahan; resolutions, Julius 1.
Peyser; finance, Howard s. Fisk; per-
manent organization, Amos A. Fries;
rehabilitation. Francis J. Hurney: leg
islation, Harlan Wood; child welfare.
Helen G. McCarty; military affairs
Amos A. Fries: naval affairs. Esther
V. Hall; Americanism. T. Norman
Templeton: constitutional amend
ments. Joseph ]. Idler; aeronautics,
William Mitchell; internal affairs.
William r. Franklin.
Mitchell May Re Candidate.
The boom for national commander
is getting under way and rumor had
it today that Gen. BILLY" Mitchell
may he In the field for the highest
office in the American Legion. Sup
port is given to the candidacy of
Father Francis j. Hurney of Costello
Post for national chaplain. The
Mitchell boom, according to reports, is
to be started by one of the Middle
West delegations.
With the arrival today Of more
Legionnaires from the National Capt.
tai the District now has the largest
number ever gathered together at a
national convention. This will be
greatly augmented when hundreds
come over to participate in the big
parade tomorrow afternoon, which
will be feature of the weeks eXer-
cises. Many drove over by motor and
reported in today with mishaps.