Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-03
DISTRICT LEGION
WINS z TROPHIES
Washington Department Is
Awarded MacNider and
Emery Membership Cups.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
LOUISVILLE, KY, october 3.-The
biggest surprise of the eleventh annual
convention OF the American Legion in
session here occurred yesterday after
noon when National Comdr. Paul "
McNutt announced that the Department
of the District of Columbia had been
declared winner of the IIanford Mac
Nider and John G. Emery trophies in
two of the important membership cam
paigns of the past year.
The MacNider trophy was awarded to
the District department for attaining
the highest percentage of membership
over its preceding years membership,
with a percentage of 1889.
The Emery trophy was for attaining
the highest percentage of membership
as compared with the average member
ship for the four preceding years, with
a percentage of 1879.
Both awards came as a distinct sur
prise inaSmuch as the Legionnaries of
the National Capital had been striving
for the Henry D. Lindsey, which went
to the Department of Hawaii
Inquiry developed the fact that the
auditors checked up all Of the records
carefully and the unexpected honors
went to the District.
Delegation Elated.
The District delegation was elated
over the award and was greeted with
applause by the entire convention as the
announcement was made. The two sill
yer trophies are Of such large propor-
tons that they will be shipped by ex-
press.
The District department was also
awarded second honors in the contest
for departments making 100 per cent
or over of the preceding years mem
bership, calculated 80 days prior to the
opening of the present convention. The
award was silver staff plate of honor.
Hawaii won first honors with 1856 AZ
and the District 1889 per cent.
Still another honor came to the Dis
trlct department when the James E
Walker post was awarded 400 per
cent citation" awarded to posts show
ing an increase of membership 80 days
prior to the national convention equal
to 400 per cent Of the previous years
membership.
Only District Post.
The Walker Post was the only post so
honored from the District. Thirty-tw
other posts were similarly honored. II
was by far the greatest day for the
Department of the District of Column
bia. for never before has 1t been be-
slowed with so many honors at a con-
vention in its history.
Department Comdr. L. E. Atkins,
chairman of the delegation. mounted
the stage and received the presentations
from the national commander. As tine
result of having their colors In the big
parade Yesterday. eight posts were
awarded silver staff bands.
The final session today founf; the
members OF the delegation in their front
row seats IN the Auditorium anxiously
awaiting the time when nominations
for national officers will be made. Past
department Comdr. Julius I. Peyser
will be- nominated for one of the five
national vice commanderships. He was
only recently elected vice president Of
the r. l. D. A. c., at Belgrade.
Assured 0f Election.
His managers tesl certain that he
will be elected this afternoon when cleo
ton of officers for the ensuing year will
take place.
At the conclusion of the election the
delegates will scatter to their homes
throughout the United States. The
District delegates will depart for home
tonight in high spirits as the result of
their well-earned victories. Many of
the delegates are leaving for side trips
and excursions in the nearby country.