Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24

The Commanders and Adjutants
Conference was In session during the
past week at indianapolis, Ind, and q
regarded as the most successful in the
history of the American Legion, &C
cording to Department Comdr. L. e. At
kins and Department Adit. Howard s.
Fisk, who have Just returned to the city.
The conference was attended by the
commanders and adjutants from every
State in the Union and several OF the
foreign countries.
One of the features was the address
of National Commander o. L. Boden-
fharner, in which he outlined the policies
and program Of the national oTganiza-
ton for the coming year. He stressed
the Importance Of providing the rleceS-
sary disqualification of the disabled vet
Grams Of the World War and the care OF
the children and dependents of vet
Grams. The passage Of universal draft
legislation at the coming session was
urged and the building up to further
strength of the membership OF the or
ganiation was emphasized.
In the roll call Of departments last
Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock OF the
result Of American Legion week Inem-
bership campaign, which extended from
Armistice day, November IL, to mid
night. November 10, q new record for
increased membership was reached.
Last year the number Of paid.up mem
bers for the coming year on November
10 was 24,103, while the report last
Tuesday showed 174, TOO paid-up for the
year 1890, a gain OF 150,597 members.
This announcement was greeted with
rcusing cheers by, the commanders and
adjutants present. One department
turned in over 10000 cards, together
with q check ut the opening Of the roll
call 1t was the first time in the his
tory of the American Legion that such
results had been attained, within one
month after the starting of the official
year for the payment Of dues, which Is
October 20, annually. The Department
of the District Of Columbia also set q
new record when IL reported 1880 per
cent Of last years membership paid up
within the month. The million mark Is
now the objective Of the national or
gauization and at the present rate 1t
won't be long before that figure Is
reached.
Two speakers from the Department
of the District Of Columbia occupying
national positions on two Of the most
important committees were Watson b.
Miller, chairman Of the national re-
Mobilization committee, and John
Thomas Taylor, vice chairman OF the
national legislative committee. Through
representatives in both branches OF
Congress much good d expected to re-
suit from the departments in the vari-
Gus States, who will impress upon their
Senators and Representatives the ne
cessity for action on legislation Affect
ing the veterans Of the World War. Carl
Brown, assistant to MIR. Miller, and
William Woln Smith, general counsel
of the Veterans, Bureau and alternate
executive committeeman for the Dis
trict Of Columbia, also addressed the
conference and ably answered many
questions Of importance propOunded 70
them. The conference was also adj
dressed by Mrs. Donald Macrea, jr., ma
tiJnal president Of the American Legion
Auxiliary, and Past National Comdr.
paul v. McNutt prior to adjournment
John Thomas Taylor pleaded with
those present 70 support the Legislative
committee in its appeal to Congress for
6,450 new beds in hospitals in addition
TO- the 3,676 recommended to Congress
at the last session. There are at the
present. time, he said, $4,000 men in
hospitals throughout the country. II
was pointed out that In the consider
alton of any hospital legislation that
tforization by Congress until the hos
pital is completed, the beds installed
and the sheets turned down IT usually
takes about three years and sometimes
longer. The conference members were
urged to support the wainwright
universal draft act, the emergency off,
GERS retirement act, national defense
act and the recommendation for ap-
preparations to maintain and train q
force Of at least $4,000 officers and men
in the Naval Reserve. He said that al
take care of ! 400 officers and 10000
men.
Watson Miller pointed out results
being attained from the activities OF
the national rehabilitation committee
which Is writing to employers of COM
merci-.l and business houses through
out the country, requesting such con-
Germs TO bring to the attention of all
who are veterans of the World War OF
the seven plans of insurance offered by
the Government to meet the needs OF
the veterans, An intensive campaign il
being carried on through his office In
this connection and the replies from the
big industrial concerns has been most
gratifying.
One afternoon during the conference
was devoted TO inspection of the Amer.
lean Legion monthly magazine plant
where luncheon was served. The vari-
GUS departments were visited, incluo-
ing the Offices, mailing division and
pressroom, where next months issue
was being printed. The host on this
occasion was Robert r. Smith, general
manager of the plant. The conference
was presided over by National Adjt
James F. Barton, assisted by Frank e
Samuel, assistant national adjutant.
80, 11~l. L.. Il
with him the charter for I'd Division
Post. No. %, formerly John M. Beau
chesne Post of this department, having
been signed by. National Comdr. Bo-
denhamer and National Adjt. Barton
The charter has been presented to Earl
]. Brown, commander Of the post.
A meeting of the department execu-
tive committee will be held tomorrow
night at 8 o'clock in the police squad
room at the District Building, WITH
Department Comdr. L. e. Atkins pre-
siding.
C.. Spengler Auxiliary Unit, No. IL
will take place Wednesday night at
o'clock in the Thomas Circle Club, 1926
Massachusetts avenue. The officers will
be installed by Past National Presl-
dent Mrs. Lowell Fletcher Hobart, 90
follows: President, Mrs. Howard s.
Fisk: flrst vice president, Mrs. Stuart
Johnson; second vice president, Mrs,
Carl Brown; treasurer. Mrs. Thomas
e. Fawcett; chaplain, Mrs. Frank
Fuller; historian, Mrs. Prank A.
Pritchard; sergeant-at-arms, Mrs. Olga
Young; colorbearer, Miss Lillian Rea-
gan.
The semi-monthly meeting of Vic
tory Post, No. 4, will be held Tuesday
at pm, at Woodmen's Hall, cas-
Grant place. The full initiation cere-
mony viii be conducted. Refreshments
will be served by Victory Unit.
The Vincent b. Costello unit this
| uaalr racaivad fhA national ritatio1 for