Evening star., 1927-09-22
New York Man, Elected Five
Minutes After Nomination
in Record Vote.
CONVENTION IN DIN
UPON NAMING EASTERNER
Numerous Resolutions, From Child
Welfare to Naval Ratio, Adopt
ed by Delegates.

PALAIS DU TROCADERO, Paris,
France, September 2o.-Edward f.
Spafford Of New York City today was
unanimously elected national com,
mander of the American Legion
Mr. Spafford was placed in nomi-
nation by the North Carolina delega-
ton and his name was seconded by
Washington, Tennessee and Virginia
James Raftis of Washington. Paul
r. Younts Of North Carolina, Ralph
T. O'Neill of Kansas, Dan Spurlock
of Louisiana and ]. M. Henry of
Minnesota were elected vice com.
manders.
Rev. Gill Robb Wilson of New Jer-
sey, who fought with the Lafayette
Flying Corps before the United States
entered the war and later with the
American Expeditionary Force, was
elected chaplain.
The 1927 convention adjourned at
3:47 o'clock this afternoon.
Elected in Five Minutes.
His nomination made. seconded and
unanimously confirmed within five
minutes, Edward S. Spafford of New
York today took place apart in the
election of national commanders of
the American Legion. The new ma
tional commander, who is former
commander of the New York depart.
ment, was elected without opposition.
a procedure hitherto unknown in elec.
tons OF the organizat ton.
The election of Mr.. Spafford set an.
other record. 1t was the first time
the purple mantle of the highest office
In the gift of the Legion had fallen
on the shoulders of a New York man.
Pandemonium, which had broken
loose at intervals during the conven-
ton, again had it's fling when the
formal but unnecessary announce
ment of the election was made.
surrounded by the convention.
Comdr. Spafford received an ovation
greater than that rendered even such
popular heroes and appealing figures
as Gen. Pershing. Marshal Foch. Pres
ident Doumergue, Premier Poincare
and the many other distinguished men
and women who have graced the Le-
gion convention rostrum with their
presence.
Every one was on his feet yelling at
the top OF his voice as the New York
banner was carried to the platform.
The Erie County Fife and Drum Corps
marched down the aisle to the stage,
seeming to create more noise than the
IA bands that blared forth in Mon
days parade.
Speaks i'm French.
Spafford, with the new national mas
cot, Jay Ward, in his arms, mounted
the platform and was introduced by
National Comdr. Howard p. Savage.
No honor has ever come to any one
greatergthan that you have given me-"
he told the Legionnaires, as they
cheered again, louder if possible than
the previous outburst.
II promise you that I will try to
equal the great record made by my
predecessor, Comdr. Savage"
Turning from English to French
the new commander then sent a mes
sage to the French people through the
loud speaker, the burden of his re-
marks 70 the Legion's hosts being,
you have been most magnificent in
your welcome to US and we two people
love one another"
The election came as a bolt from
the blue. after a long and at times
tedious debate bordering on the acri-
monious, in which 45 resolutions pre-
sented by committees had been dis.
cussed and adopted or rejected.
Clemenceau Is Remembered.
The next item on the program was
the question of deciding whether the
city for the 1929 convention should be
selected this year, but it finally was
decided that the selection should be
held over until the 1923 convention.
Amid great cheering and an out.
burst of enthusiasm, a resolution was
adopted expressing the sincere graft
tude and thanks of the Legion to the
French government for it's magnifi-
cent welcome and co-opera ton in the
work of the 1927 convention.
The Legion. not forgetting Clemen-
ceau, decided to express it's heartfelt
admiration for "the Tiger" and to ap.
point a committee to carry copy of
the resolution to him.
The deep grief of the Legion in the
death of Maj. Gen. Wood. late gov
ernor general of the Philippines, was
expressed In another resolution.
Seattle Seeks Convention.
A huge poster: Seattle invites you
in 1880" was a decoration greeting
the delegates as they entered the hall.
The band from Clearfield, Pa, pro-
vided music for the closing day:
Comdr. Savage decided that the en-
tire remaining business of the conven-
ton must be concluded today, the
delegates sitting through without
luncheon or even dinner if necessary,
and without recesses until taps" The
meeting began at 9:20.
Col. Doherty, chairman of the
rehabilitation committee, advocated
further hospital construction.
THE law should assure every
veteran all the needed succor. includ.
ing disqualification" he said.