Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-09-22
n. Y. MAN IS
LEGION Head
Edward S, Spafford
Gets Post; Conven-
ton Ends

PARIS, Sept. 22.-(Rp-Edward s.
Spafford Of New York was elected
national commander Of the Ameri-
can Legion without opposition, a
procedure hitherto unknown in cleo
tions Of the organization Of Ameri-
can World War veterans.
The nomination was made, second
ed and unanimously confirmed with
in five minutes. Spafford is a form
er commander of the New York de-
partment OF the legion.
Pandemonium, which had broken
loose at intervals during the con-
vention, again had its fling when
the formal but unnecessary an
nouncement was made.
Surrounded by the convention
Commander Spafford received an
ovation greater than that rendered
even such popular heroes and ap-
pealinR figures as General Perish
ing, Marshal Foch. President Dour.
merEue, Premier Poincare and the
many other distinguished men and
women who have greeted the legion
convention Iosrum with their pres.
ence.
Expresses Gratitude
Spafford, with the new national
mascot, Jay Ward, 5-year-old Penn
sylvania boy in his arms, mounted
the platform and was introduced by
National Commander Howard p. Saw
age.
mo honor has ever come to any
one greater than that you have
given me-" he told the legionnairei
as they cheered again. louder il pos
sible than the previous outburst.
81 promise you that | will try &
equal the great record made by M
predecessor, Commander Savage"
Turning from English TO French
the new commander then sent "a mes
sage TO the French people through
the loudspeaker, the burden Of hi
remarks TO the legion's hosts being
"You have been most magnificen
In your welcome 10 us and we TIVE
people love one another"
The election came MS a bolt from
the blue, after a long and at time
tedious debate bordering on tn
acrimonious in which 45 resolution
presented by committees had beer
discussed and adopted or rejected.
The last resolution. adopted will
the cheers Of the delegates TO spec
il on it's way was a message o
greeting to Ambassador Myron I
Herrick. sick at his Cleveland home
expressing regret at his indispo
sition and wishing for him a speed
and complete recovery.
Resolutions Vary
The resolutions adopted range
/ from r stand for child welfare I
suggestions 10 the United State
government that the sos ratio .
naval forces should be maintained
and included one called for the con
struction Of hospitals In Chicago
and Fort Smelling, MINI; also /
New England. North and South Caro-
lima, and Virginia. where there Is q
insufficiency Of beds.
The legion not forgetting France
war premier. Georges ClemerceaI
who has kept away from all publ
functions because Of his decide
20 express its heartfelt admiratio
for "the Tiger" and 70 appoint
committee to carr a copy Of tn
resolution 20 him.
| The deep grief Of the legion In IN
death Of Major General Wood. lat
governor-general OF the Philippines
was expressed in another resolution
James Raftis Of WASHINGTON. Pau
r. Yountz OF North Carolina, Ralp
7. O'Neill Of Kansas. Dan Sprrioe
OF Louisiana and y. VI. Henry o
Minnesota. were elected viee-eom
manders.
Rev. CHI Robb Wilson on Ee'
Jersey who fought with the Ia
fayette Flying corps before th
United States entered the war an
then with the A. z. r. was electe
chaplin.
The 1927 ievion convention ad
journed at 5:s7 ~ the bands playe
lCenIinusd on Page txo.l a.z