The Bismarck tribune., 1931-07-13
CEREMONIES MARK
AUXILIARY SESSION
Meeting Of Women Aides to
American Legion Pervaded
by Patriotic Spirit

Dy TdlItOl'C OPUA
Valley City, N. D., July l3.-tP,-
Impressive ceremonies. pervaded by
spirit OF patriotism, marked the OPEN
ing Monday of the 1lth annual con-
vention of the American Legion auxl-
liary.
Called to order by Mrs. A. A. KEEL
land, Hatton, department president,
the women pledged allegiance to the
flag, with Mrs. E. c. Geelan, Enoer-
lin, department Americanism chair
man, leading the assembly.
The women then stood for 80 Sec
onds in silent tribute to the dead, and
this was followed by the national
anthem which was sung under the
leadership of Mrs. Lynn Williams, de-
partment music chairman.
Mrs. Alex Amundson. chaplain OF
the Valley City unit, gave the invo-
cation, and Mrs. M. E. Tweed OF
jamestown. read the preamble to the
American Legion constitution.
Mrs. A. c. Carlson. Willmar, Mimi,
national vice president of the Ameri-
can Legion auxiliary, held the place
of honor at the convention which ad-
journed before noon to meet with
the American Legion in a joint con-
vention. Mrs Carlson and Ralph T
O'Neil, Topeka, Kan, national COM
mander of the Legion, addressed the
joint gathering.
Give Musical Program
Music held prominent place In
the womens meeting, with an organ
recital as the outstanding feature
Mrs. L. D. Rhoades. Valley City,
played several selections on the Or
gan of the Congregational church
where the auxiliary is holding its ses-
sions. A vocal solo was sung by Mrs.
M. H. Haakenson, HattOn, who play
ed Christ in Flanders" q compost
ton by Gordon JohnStone.
Reports Of department officers and
district conmitteewomen, furnished
the principal business of the day.
With 6,927 members enrolled. the
North Dakota Auxiliary has the
largest membership in the history Of
the organization, Mrs. r. M. Depuy,
Jamestown, state secretary and men,
bership chairman, reported. This
figure exceeds by nearly 100 the
qouta set by the National Auxiliary.
New England, with a percentage of
1875. will carry home the department
cup which goes to that unit showing
the largest percentage Of increase 80
days prior to the convention, accord
ing tn Mrs DeplV'S repOrt
The Grand Forks unit will receive
the largest increase in the number Of
members 30 days previous to the con-
vention. This unit also will carry
home the Phillips cup, given annual
ly TO that unit which shows the best
increase in members on March Is.
The unit on that date recorded an
increase Of 64 members.
Round up Councils Held
Twenty units out Of the % COM
prising the first district were brought
into contact at roundup councils
Mrs. H. A. Pierce. Grand Forks COM
mitteewoman. reported.
Mrs. M. H. Lynch. Lidgerwood
second district committeewoman, re-
ported that 13 units in the district
received national citations for men,
berships during the year. The dis
trict also gained further honors by
putting the department lover the
top" in the membership drive. the
Hillsboro unit being credited with the
achievement through the addition OF
36 members on May 20.
Organization of five county coun-
ellis was the outstanding work In the
third district, Mrs. G. Olgierson. Bis
marck, committeewoman for the dis
trict, reported. The councils. the first
formed in the department, have
functioned throughout the year, aid
ing neighboring Legion posts ant
units in the exchange Of ideas
In the fourth district. addition o.
a new unit, that Of the Rolla st
Johns group. was an outstanding
achievement. according to report by
Mrs. H. p. Ide. Harvey. the distric
committeewoman.
Flowers For Veterans
Gold field and water lilies for thl
sunken garden at the United State!
vStcIdkI0 AUoPAV&14, 3 0A6Oy WCAS P0
chased by the fifth district with al
award received for the highest mum.
Der Of 100 per cent units by Januar,
1. Mrs. D. Stenson. Williston. commit
teeweman, said In her report.
The sixth district was the only ON
IN the state to sponsor troop Of CIR
scouts, al Indian girls. Mrs. J. A
Kaspar, Mandan, committeewoman
reported. The work is being super
vised BY the Fort Yates unit, whil'
two other units also are sponsoring
g1rl scout work. A unit has recentl.
been formed at Hebron with q char
ter membership Of II. Mrs. Kaspa
announced.
llrx KjeIland In her report statea
that the department has gone TOR
wosd with acconplishmsnB thu
speooogo . futuSe high among th
ro6n61 oreanizattons 81 our state.
III Q. W HAfdin. vice prssidsnf 9