Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25
Veterans of Great War
American Legion.

American Legion.
A national mobilization plan for the
American Legion was presented 10 the
national conference OF State adjutants
and commanders of the Legion at re-
cent meeting at national headquarters
in Indianapolis. Ind. by National
Comdr. Edward Z. Spafford.
THE many and varied disasters of
the past year and the effective work
done by many Legion posts bring
forcibly to mind that our organization
of men and women trained to act in
emergency can be of great service in
local. State and even National catas.
trophies" Comdr. Spafford said.
Some of our States have already
organized for mobilization in the event
Of disaster and regularly conduct
practice notifications.
I'm order TO function most effec.
lively a skeleton organization is
necessary. and such organization
should be required to mobilize or
function at least once each year so as
to insure smooth cooperation of the
parts in the event of an actual emer-
gency.
In community disasters there are
three situations to consider:
81. The work of rescue during the
disaster.
"2. Protection Of life and property
Immediately after the disaster.
SO. disqualification. sanitation and
supply.
lin much of this work the organized
cooperation OF the territory contigu
GUS to the disaster will go far to i'm
prove conditions This was shown In
connection with the great Mississippi
foods and also the more recent floods
in New England.
The national organization of the
Legion, in order to facilitate the
mobilization OF our great disciplined
man power TO meet public disasters.
proposes the following plan OF organ
lzation or mobilization:
II. District commanders.
For mobilization purposes the
United States In divided into I'VE great
districts, having regard generally TO
natural geographical and Industrial
conditions, and each Of such districts
shall be assigned TO a national vice
commander of the Legion who shall be
responsible for its proper organization,
and shall conduct at least one prac'
tice mobilization each year.
THE Ave districts shall DO an foi'
lows:
Il. The district OF the Atlantic
Coast. under National Vice Comdr.
paul r. Younts OF Charlotte, -. c..
consisting Of the following States;
south Carolina, North Carolina. Vir'
ginia, West Virginia. District OF Co
iumbla, Maryland. Delaware. Pennayl'
yania, New Jersey. New York. Con-
necticut. Rhode Island. Massachusetts.
Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
g. The north central district, un'
! der National Vice Comdr. j. NJ. Henry
of Winona, MINI. consisting OF the
following States: Montana. North Ia
| kota, South Dakota. Minnesota. Mich
gan. Wisconsin. Ohio. Indiana. III
| noig. Kentucky and Iowa.
%. The central district. under Ma
| tionai Vice Comdr Ralph 7. OSeil
Of Topeka, Kans. consisting OF Inc iol'
! lowing states: Kansas. Missouri. Ne
| brsksa, Colorado. Wyoming ana uthh
-. The Southern district, hnhef
National Vice comdr. Dan spufiock
Of Shreveport, La. consisting OF the
! following 9tates: Tennessee. Georgia
| Florida. Alabama. Mississippi. Louis
! lana, Texas. Arkansas. Oklahoma ana
, New Mexico.
IS The Pacific Coast district. un
der National Vice comdr. james 7
Raftis Of Colville. Wash. consisting Of
the following States: Washington
! Oregon, California. Idaho, Nevada and
! Arizona,
/ THE department commander ol
each department viii function IN 60
operation with the national Vice com
mander upon the plans Tor mobiilzh
ton In the event Of an emergency II
their district and such department
comma nders are In turn 10 organic
their own staff 10 handle mobiliza ioi
| within the department.
1t In suggested, however. that tbs
department commander appoint
state Inabiiiza ton officer and divide
| his department into it's natural geo
graphical and transportation area
and appoint for each such area al
area mobilization officer.
These State and area mobilization
officers shall compile compieis lists %
all posts and post officers In their area
Including IN said lists telephone nd
dresses and other means ~ auieki.
boating these officers They sboulf
also have similar complete lists of al
Dh ysieians ana surgeons and medica
supplies In their area. ~ all h0spiiaii
Bnd other homes and public inntii u
iionp with tbs anconmo dniions usii
ally aysila bile in each,
They should also have c0mpist'
lists ~ all automobile owners whns,
automobiles are available foT enef