Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-03

OF JTle OlSITCLAIK. COluIIlDla, the Au1eTl-
can Legion, at the Willard Hotel last
wednesday night, was one of the most
brilliant and successful affairs ever
given in the history of the local de-
partment. The two bathrooms were
filled to capacity and the decorative
scheme was said by many to have been
the most artistic in years.
National Commander Paul V. Nc
Mutt of the American Legion and Mrs.
Boyce Ffcklen, jr., national president OF
the American Legion Auxiliary, were in
attendance and during brief inter-
mission addressed the large gathering.
The speakers were introduced by De-
partment Commander Harlan Wood. AS
the guests of the evening arrived in the
large ballroom they were received by a
committee composed of legionnaireS,
including many past department COM
manders. One of the features of the
evening was the presence of several
hundred delegates to the Women's Pa
triotic Conference on National Defense,
which held three-day session here
last week.
The campaign to increase the men,
bership of the local department is to be
given the right of way in the next few
days. and plans have been completed
by the membership committee, headed
by Austin S. Imirie, for executing
these plans. The quotas of the various
posts have been established, and If
every post reaches its quota the goal
Of 5000 members will have been ac-
complished as set out by Department
Commander Harlan Wood at the be-
ginning of his administration. Every
effort is to be made to build up the
membership also of the American
So tya lon OF al
Capital, and in this connection the
national officers of the auxiliary have
arranged to assist in the program to
the fullest extent. Mrs. Ficklen has
evinced a keen interest in the local
units and during her stay here last
week aided materially in renewing in
terest and activity in them.
Department Adjutant Howard S.
Fisk has been advised by James F.
Barton, national adjutant, that John
Thomas Taylor, vice chairman for
many years past of the national legis-
lative committee, has again been re-
appointed to fill that position for a Pc
Rod of three years, ending December
81. 1891.
The national executive committee has
appointed Miss Helen G.. O'Neill, past
commander of the u. S. S. Jacob Jones
k-OSO, d IleIIlUSE "a bIlc lldtLOIldl CLAN
welfare committee for a period of
three years, ending December ST. 1881.
Announcement has also been made
of the appointment of DR.. Joseph M.
Heller of this city as member Of the
national rehabilitation committee for a
period of three years, ending December
81, 1881, and c. E. Mccullough as
a member of the special aeronauticS
committee for the present year.
Past Department Commander Paul j.
McGahan, who is national executive
committeeman representing the local
department, has been appointed by Ma
tional Commander McNutt a member
of the liaison committee with the board
of directors of the American Legion
Publishing Co. for the present year.
In connection with the appointment
of John Thomas Taylor for another
three-year term nllEh credit is due him
for the successful termination of the
Legion program of the legislative COM
mittee before Congress. The Legion
was victorious In its long fight to OBJ
tain compensation for the disabled
emergency Army officers of the World
War when the Tyson-FitZgerald bill,
providing for the retirement Of these
officers, was enacted. A fight had been
carried on by the Legion for nearly
five years to obtain this legislative re-
lief. It was chiefly through the efforts
of this committee that Congress au-
thorized a $15,ooo,000 hospital building
program, which will enable the Govern
ment to do away with institutions I'M
suitable for the treatment of veterans
and erect new hospitals to relieve con-
gestion. Mr.. Taylor is a member OF
George Washington Post No. /, the
Y,;0vaor x1orf Of 1.o Ay,oariroY1 7 cuJn91
National Commander McNutt has
announced the appointment of Past De-
partment Commanders Julius I. PeySer
and j. Miller Kenyon as members OF
the national distinguished guests COM
mittee representing the District of CO.
lumbia Each year the American Legion
entertains a number of distinguished
guests, and the appointments are con-
sidered a high honor, as committee
man is charged with extending proper
receptions and entertainment for per-
sons who are guests of the Legion.
The Quentin Roosevelt Post of this
department has received a challenge
from an all-star bowling team in Phil
adelphia to play a series of 10 inter-
city match games OF ducKpinS, nVe
games to be played in. each city.
Miss Emma C. Puschner, national di-
the American Legion, will be guest OF
the local department on the occasion
of her visit here from February l to Is.
She will attend the meeting of the
u. S. S. Jacob Jones Post at the Thomas
Circle Club, 1925 Massachusetts, avenue,
and address the members on child well
fare. Miss Helen G. O'Neill is the ma
tional child welfare representative and
Mrs. Mary Esther Kolhos the depart
ment child welfare officer.
A benefit theater party of the U. S. S.
Jacob Jones Post, No. 2. the American
Legion, will be held at the Belasco The
alter Tuesday.
The executive committee will meet
with Hope Knickerbocker February 2.
The post colors were displayed at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ar
lington National Cemetery Thursday,
when members of the Women's Patriotic
Conference on National Defense placed
wreaths on the tomb.
The executive committee of the U. S.
S. Jacob Jones Post, No. 2, the American
Legion, met at the home of the COM
mander, Lucille Allan, January "a. The
executive committee Of 1928 were the
guests.
A benefit theater party will be held at
the Belasco Theater February 3. Elsie
Pinney, chairman of the ways and
means committee of the post, is working
on the plans for this party.
Past Comdr. Helen O'Neill, member
of the national child welfare committee
has returned from a meeting of the
committee in Indianapolis, Ind. She
was reappointed for three years on this
committee.
The next meeting of the post will be
February II.
Victory Post, No. 4, American Legion
held its last meeting January % in the
Woodmen's Hall, 935 Grant place, ant
adopted a resolution favoring passage
of the cruiser bill. The post also adopt