Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-03
Veterans of Great War

it's formation as a Legion depart
ment.
Among the trophies for which the
Legion departments are now STRIVING
lis that donated by First National
Commander Hanford MacNider. now
Assistant Secretary of War. 1t will
be awarded to the department attain
ing by September 10 the highest per
eentage over its preceding years mem
bership.
The trophy donated by Past Ma
tional Comdr. Franklin DOlier also
will be decided as of September ~
and will be awarded to the department
attaining the highest percentage of
eligible ex-service men in the depart
ment,
The trophy donated by Past Com
mander John G. Emery viii be award
| ed September 10 to the department
having the highest percentage COM
pared with its four preceding years
average.
An avalanche of reservations for
the annual convention of the Ameri-
can Legion in Paris September 10 to
| % hit national headquarters follow
| ing the announcement that July Is is
! the closing date. it was announced by
| Howard r. Savage, national COM
mauder.
Comdr. Savage said it was necessary
| to set July Is as the closing date for
/ taking reservations for the overseas
| movement owing to physical limita'
! tons in handling the details incident
| to booking.
| Travel plans perfected by the Legion
| will save the average veteran $500
! over the cost of a similar trip at or
binary travel rates. Many privileges
such as freedom Of the ship, waiver
Of passport and visa fees, elimination
Of steamship tax, so per cent reduc-
ton in rail rates and a rousing recep-
ton abroad have been obtained for
veterans in the official Legion move
ment.
Almost all of the official Legion
ships are completely booked, and vet
Grams who plan to so to France and
have not made reservations must do
so at once or the opportunity will be
lost for all time to join the Legions
history-making pilgrimage" Comdr.
Savage said in a last call to veterans
to avail themselves of the chance.
Veterans wishing TO make reserva
ton should get in touch with the de
partment France convention officer of
their own State, whose address may
post, or communicate with national
headquarters, the American Legion,
Indianapolis, Ind, for details.
The membership standing of the va
rious departments of the American
Legion on June Il, according to an
nouncement at national headquarters,
was:
Alabama, 5,742; Alaska, 461: Arizona.
S,505; Arkansas. 5,714; California.
29,691: Canada. 1913; Colorado, 4,095:
Connecticut, S,709; Delaware. S97
District of Columbia, 1870: Florida.
1892; France, $50; Georgia, sass;
Hawaii, 721; Idaho, 1851; Illinois,
6S,7SS; Indiana, 22,254: Iowa, 30,7O5:
Italy, 1.175; Kansas. 7,141: Kentucky.
6,737; Louisiana, 5,246 Maine, 1854;
Maryland. 2,19S: Massachusetts,, 24.031;
Mexico, 292; Michigan, 1892: Mime
sofa, 26,649; Mississippi. 1856; Mis-
souri,. 10 .009: Montana. 1898: Nebraska,
1923; Nevada, 1856; New Hampshire,
4,272; New Jersey, 14,175: New Mexico,
1,735; New York, S., 700; North Caro-
lima. 9,20S; North Dakota. 7,1SS; Ohio,
32,175; Oklahoma. 1851; Oregon,
1915; Panama, 400: Pennsylvania.
5S,1S5: Philippine Islands, "a: Rhode
Island, 2,062; South Carolina, S,7S7;
South Dakota, S.426; tennessee, 10, Sc;
Texas, 1897; Utah. 1902; Vermont,
1861: Virginia. 1921; Washington,
II, AL: West Virginia, $500; Wiscon-
sin, 25,074; Wyoming, 2,757.
More members will be enrolled in
the American Legion Auxiliary by
July 4, this year. than were enrolled
in the organization during the entire
year of 1926, it has been indicated by
membership reports received at ma
tional headquarters of the auxiliary.
On June Is only about $4,000 add
tiOnal members were needed to equal
last years total, and with the division
al membership contest closing at the
end of the month. this number was
expected to be exceeded.
Last years membership was by far
the largest ever enrolled. and when it
is passed a new record will have been
set. Indications were that the enroll
ment this year would be at least 80. 900
greater than in 1925, as the member
ship on June Is was 29,142 ahead of
that on the same date last year.
Costello Post will meet Tuesday
evening in the boardropm Of the
District Building. The election of del.
egates to the Department Convention
will take place.