Evening star., 1926-08-09
M'N|DER SPEAKER
AT LEGION SESSION
Opening of Program in Alex
andria Attended by Trib-
ute to Or. Barrett.
Special Dispatch 20 The star.

Special Dispatch 20 The star
ALEXANDRIA. Va. August .
The eighth annual convention Of the
American, Legion and auxiliary
opened this morning in the auditorium
of the Richmond Theater. with dele
gates from practically every post in
the state attending.
llauford MacNider. Assistant See.
retary OF War. was the principal
speaker Legion purposes. progress
and ideals and national patriotism
were topics uf his speech. Sessions
of the convention are being presided
over hy Frank NJ. Wray. department
commander. whose home is in Berry.
Vile. Paul Morton. city manager.
welcomed the delegates ON behalf of
the city. and his address was re-
sponded To by Fergus Mckee. state
vice commander. ON behalf Of the
legion. ana Miss Cora Vaughan. presi-
dent Of the auxiliary, ON behalf "f ;he
auxiliary.
After the meeting had been called
to order the salute 10 the flag was
given and the opening ode. "Amcr-
lea" was sung.
Reports of various committees fo'-
lowed the welcoming addresses. They
included credentials. rules and per
manent organization and reports "t
department officers.
This was followed by adjournment
after which bronze tablet was
placed on the home of the late Dr.
Kate Waller Barrett first president
of the State auxiliary and ais"
former. National president of the
auxiliary.
After luncheon the various com.
mitttees met and they will make 70
ports tomorrow morning. WpdneS
day will mark the close of the con
ventiOn.
Trip to Mount Vernon.
One of the features planned for
this afternoon ia a pilgrimage :"
Mount Vernon, which will he made
at $40 O'Clock hy motor cars.
wreath will be placed ON Washing
tons tomb.
Tonight at Q O'Clock there will he a
reception and entertainment AT the
armory in honor Of the visitors. hr
the auxiliary. Music will he furnished
by the United States Marine Band
and refreshments will be served.
The opening session tomorrow will
he held i'm the Richmond Theater. and
will he joint session in "fder that
both the delegates To tho legion ana
auxiliary may hear the address OF
National Comdr Jo X. McQugC.
At 4:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon
there will be a big parade. The grand
marshal will he Maj. Gen. John a.
Leieune. The parade will be ~
SQUARES long. Distinguished guests
numbering more than 100 will view
the parade from grandstand on inc
West side of Washington between
Oronoco and Pendleton streets.
Wednesday afternoon the conven-
ton will end with the election OF Of
fcers and selection of the next con
vention city. The delegates after
ward will visit the Tomb of the I'm
known Soldier and place wreath.
The exercises will lie under the di-
rection of Arlington Post. No. 139.
and from there they will =" To Fair
fax Court House, where they viii IN
spcct the will of George Washington.
Tribute to DIR. Barrett.
The tablet placed ON the residence
Of the late Dr. Barrett is 2h by ~
inches i'm size 1t was presented by
Fer,1s McRee. vice commando of
the State body John j. Wicker, past
state comma nder. and Miss Cora
| Vaughan. state president of the
| auxiliary. made speeches of accept
aucp Afte1Ward n handsome wreath
was hung on the tablet by the STATE
| auxiliary. Music was fUrnlSheu ny
the Fort Humphreys Orchestra. The
tablet bears the following insCrip
tion: For God and Country. In low
ing memory of Kate Waller Barrett.
1s59-1925. First president of Amer,
can Legion Auxiliary, Department "l
Virginia. 1922 National president of
American Legion Auxiliary 49,.
This tablet affectionally placed on
the old Barrett home by her com
rades of the American Legion, De
partment of Virginia. 1926.
La Societies des 40 Eommes et
Chevaux, composed Of World war
veterans selected because of some
meritorius service. is in session in the
Carpenters and Joiners Hall. The
Wreck" Of this society is scheduled
10 he held in the basement or the
Westminster Building Immediately
following the banquet at the Alex
andira naval torpedo station tomor-
row night The Wreck is an inlti-
alton service. AleXandrians TO he
initiated will march with members
Of the society in the parade tomor-
row afternoon.
The local post was organized IN
August. 1919. and was first known
as Robert t. Lee Post. Its first
commander was Capt. George H.
Evans. The post has grown I'm
membership from 30 to 299 The
,yraotaSt gain was made during the