Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-09-22
AMERICAN LEGION CONVENTION
OK'SNATIONAL DEFENSE DEPT.

I
who not long ago stirred up much COM
motion in the American aviation serv-
ice. lost his stand for immediate crea-
ton of a separate air department IN
the cabinet. The convention, however,
adopted resolution favoring consoli-
dation of all branches of national de-
tense into one cabinet department
1t was day of final cleaning up of
routine, and tonight was given over to
electioneering in behalf of candidates
for national officers of the legion and
the auxiliary
There were more patriotic ceremon-
les today, more big excursions to bat
tlefields and provinces and the best
air circus the French army fliers could
present to startle, amaze and amuSe
their brothers-in-armS.
The day brought shopping, too, and
exploration of Paris to see again the
spots the "boys" knew in the days of
m. p" rule.
The solemn touch was given the
cay's proceedings when the great
Ossuary at Verdun was dedicated to
the memory of the French who died
there.
The legion conventions open meet
ing which furnishes plenty OF color
was not lacking in that element today
when a short but snappy air fight oc-
Cured. The Skirnish came over q
resolution recommending organization
of an aviation department in the
American government. The fight led
by General Mitchell resulted in de-
feat for the former assistant aviation
chief.
Mitchell insisted that the words "as
soon as warranted" be removed from
the resolution and led demand for
immediate establishment by the gov
ernment of q separate aviation de-
partment.
The committee had reported in favor
Of a recommendation that such de-
nartment be organized "aS soon as
warranted" Mitchell, speaking from
his delegates seat, shouted "as soon as
warranted? Why it's wanted now!''
Former Governor McGovern of Wis
coY1Gin reminded the convention that
the war department is opposed at
present to the establishment of a sep
arate aviation department and urged
that the disputed words be retained
in the resolution.
The fight hinged about the last
paragraph of the committees report
It read:
owe. the standing committee of ma
tional defense of the American legion,
favor organization OF national aero
Mantle as soon as warranted into q
SEPARATE department of the nationl
defense heded by cabinet secretary
National Commander Savage assured
+hg delegates that the commlttee
which framed the resolution was chos-
en- from the most competent members
and suggested that their advice could
be followed.
On motion of Legionnaire Gillgan
of Ohio, General MitchelIS remarks
were stricken from the record.
The convention then tried TO decloe
the question of retention OF the WORDS
without baIloting. Failing, a roll call
WAS taken and the phrase so obJec-
tionable to the former aviation assist
tant chief. remained in the resolution
The vote was 622 to 299.
The "Societe 40 Hommes ct 8 Chev-
auxs' gathered tonight at the Arc DE
3 rTrionnhe where bronze wreath was
laid on the tornb of the unknown
noilu while a crowd of French looked
On greatly puzzled by the offlclal IlGles
sllch as Chef De Chemln De FER, CnsA
ne Care and others. Joseph BreeH
II phi1adelphla. who organized the So
cietv and charles A. Miller of FLORIDA
present Grand Cheg De Chen1ln De
Eler Father E. j. Gracey OF Wellsvllle
ohio national Aumonier, and FRANK
w. Kee, Chef De Care, OF Ollicaeo
were masters of ceremony.
with bricks at ten francs eacn az
admission tickets a gala nlght was nelC
tonight at the Palais Du Irocaoero
and provided healthy addlVloIi :.
the building fun of the Paris posi- %
tre legion. Miss Madeline, keltle
American prima donna, sang the
FRENCH and American natlonal an
thems.
while music and song were enter
+aiyinp some of the legionnalres, OH
erc in deep secrecy were holdlne
conc1ses. and electioneering. This wa
+be night-the one night only-Wner
tho legion resembled a national polltl
cal convention
One of the troubles OF the legion
noire is his difficulty with restauran
Ere1:ch. Some are so helpless the'
eat II rec meals day with the Saiva
t;on Army, coffe and doughnuts 10
hreakfast. coffe and sandwiches 10
,,,ncheon and coffee, sandwiches AM
dnughnuts for dinner Unable u
sneak the language they are too dl11l
dent about trying small restaurant
where they could dine well at reason
able cost and their pocketbooks sh'
At the big palace dining rooms Wner
ever waiter knows his English
The Salvation Army is serving lo,oO O
c,ps of coffee, 1000 doughnuts and SoO
sandwiches each day, using 4UU larg
1oaves of bread daily. :.
.Iackrabbits of the west are IN 10
the scare of their lives When CI'
legionnaires get home. western me me
particularly have been strong Duyel'
through the Paris post, of the pecuha
sounding horns the Paris taxi-chau1
fenrs use to annoy the ear. Fner
have been 1900 sold, and the end
not yet.
nDCAruCD TNV0KEC