Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-09
MEMBERS HONOR
FOUNDER OF POST
Bronze Tablet and Picture to
Col. {. [. Jones Unveiled
in New Club House.

The dedication Of the club house Of
George washington Post No. /, the pio-
neer post of the American Legion, at
i44I Rhode Island avenue, and the
unwilling of a bronze tablet and pic
ture of Col. e. Lester Jones, the first
commander of the post. featured the
eleventh anniversary celebration Friday
night Of the post
Past Post and Past Department
Comdr. John Lewis Smith paid tribute
20 the memory of Col. Jones, who was
one Of the founders of the American
Legion and the first post in this ma
tional veteran organization on March
2, 1919. He told of his activities prior
TO the World War and of his record
in that conflict. On his return to this
country from France he set about as
sisting men to secure positions and
later helped the disabled, continuing
his interest In the veterans Of the war
up to the time of his death. April 9,
1929. At the conclusion Of his address
Q 4-year-old grandson, named after
him, pulled string which unfurled the
American flags that covered the picture
and tablet erected to his memory.
Building Is Dedicated.
This ceremony was followed by the
dedication of the club house by De-
partment Comdr L. e. Atkins. Ad-
miral r. E. KoontZ q. S. N, was the
next speaker, being introduced by Post
Comdr. Bernard G. MCGEE, who also
introduced many of the visiting Le-
gionnaireS. Vocal solos were rendered
BY Mrs. Elvina Neal Rowe.
Guests included the George Baldwin
Mccoy Unit of the American Women's
Legion, members of which served re-
freShmentS; Past Department Comdrs.
Watson B. Miller and Harlan Wood,
Past Comdrs of George washington
Post Smith, Howard 8. Fisk, Wallace
Streater, Charles Q. Shaw, j. j. Muir
ply and Charles j. Painter.
Col Jones was not only one Of the
founders Of the first post In the Amer
lean Legion, but also was the first
department commander Of the Depart
ment of the District of Columbia. He
was elected commander of Gen. PERISH
ing Post, No. l, on March q, 1919, but
this name was later changed to George
washington Post to conform to the
national constitution adopted at the
st. Louis caucus in May, 1919. When
the department of the District of Co
lumbia was organized, May 10, 1919,
he was unanimously elected its first
commander. When he headed the dele
S6LlOu dCtcLlU4lB Tic 0Vs LOUIS CduCuS
he took the first draft of the preamble
of the national constitution, which was
practically the same as that later
adopted at the first national conven-
ton, held In Minneapolis, Mimi, In
November, 1919.
Bought First Club House.
It was through Col. Jones efforts
that the first club house was purchased
at Nineteenth and ! streets, being sold
later in order to purchase the present
club house. He was the first president
of the board Of governors of the club
house, which position he held at the
time Of his death. He was buried In
Arlington Cemetery with full military
honors.
At the meeting last night q letter
was read by Comdr. MCGEE from Mrs.
Jones, who is at the present time out
OF the country.
Sixteen members were elected to
membership during q brief business
session. Invocation was pronounced
by Post Chaplain Howard z. Snyder.
The committee in charge Of the ex-
ercises included John Lewis Smith,
chairman; Charles j. Painter, John
Thomas Taylor, Mark l.. Hersey, Charles
Demonet and Bernard G. MCGEE.