Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-07
LEGION PROPOSES
DRY LAW REPEAL
AND PICKS STAFF
Second Nights Session Fa-
VorS Several Veterans
Benefits.
FERDINAND G. FRASER
NAMED COMMANDER
Additional Bonus Loans, War Or.
phan Education, Job Preference
Among Resolutions Adopted.

Adoption of resolution recommend
ing repeal of the eighteenth amend
nent to the Constitution was voted last
night by the District of Columbia de-
partment of the American Legion dur
ing the second nights session of the
annual convention in the auditorium of
the Buchanan School, Thirteenth and
E streets southeast.
At the same session, the convention
established a precedent in the naming OF
its department officers, when shortly
after midnight the rules were suspended
and the department commander and
the full staff of officers vas elected by
reclamation on a single ballot without
O dissenting vote.
Although the resolution opposing the
nrohibition law was objected to when
first presented, the proposal came up
later in the evening, and was adopted
by roll call vote of 50 to 38. Much
applause greeted the adoption OF the
resolution.
Slate Made Clear.
The election of officers by acclama-
ton was made possible when Warren
z. Miller, only opposing nominee 10
Ferdinand G.. Fraser for the post OF
department commander, Withdrew MS
name from the nominations. There was
only one nominee for each OF the other
departments offices.
Resides Mr.. Fraser, other othcerS
elected were: Richard A. O'Brien, first
vice commander; Helen NJ. Sprague,
second vice commander; William ii.
McGrath. third vice commander, ana
Rev. Arthur L. Smith, chaplain. Dele
gates to the next annual convention
elected were Mr.. Fraser, DR.. B. c. Mac
Neil, William A. Kehoe. Martin A..
Over. Richard Curtain, Anne d. Pryoe,
Z. P. Van Hise, w. Chase, L. l.. Person
end Howard S. Fisk. AlternateS named
were James Kehoe. E. E. Corw1n, John
Il. Scott. Helen M Sprague, Emily J.
Carey. Harry j. Photis, William II.
BurreI. K. T. Wright, c. w. Browning
AMI Paul ]. McGahan.
Committee reports were received at
TIL session from Clyde B. Stoval. fnance
officer: Thomas j. Frailey, chairman OF
the Resolutions Committee, and annual
report of John Lewis Smith, national
executive committeeman.
Adopt Several Benefits.
Included in the resolutions adopted
bv the convention were the following,
Extension of time for filing suits in in
suranca claims; education of war or
phans: legaliZing boxing in the District
Of Columbia: permitting disqualification
Of all veterans of all wars; permitting
the War Department to issue honor
able discharges to alien veterans;
preference to former service men in
Government positions outside OF the
boundaries of the United States; grant
70
firenen and policemen, instead OF ~
DAYS; also granting sick leave to these
men; extending relief to veterans out
side of the United States and prefer
cnce to veterans in appointment to key
positions in the District and Federal
Governments, and adequate national
defense.
A resolution was also adopted request
ing the appointment of committee to
investigate the practice of diScharging
veterans from the District repair shop,
when being hoSpitalized. Other reSo-
luticnS included a request to the ma
tional convention to double the present
appropriation of the National Rehabili-
tation Committee provide adequate pay
for commissioned and warrant officers
of the general service; deploring the
pauperS' clause in legislation affecting
widows and orphans; urging the pay
ment of the balance of the adjusted
service certificates; restoration to war
time rank Of officers retired and relieved
of their commands during the World
War, and deploring mob violence.
Auxiliary Revision Asked.
Tile convention went on record ia
voring department for the nine units
Of the American Legion Auxiliary which
units have been working under a coun-
Gil for the past several years, although
still recognized by the national auXil-
larry. The system of rating by the
Bureau of Efficiency was declared in
equitable and remedy is to be sought.
The convention disapproved the action
Of the Veterans Administration in de-
priving employees who are in the Off
GERS Reserve Corps of Is days of their
annual leave while attending training
camps and amendment of the civil serv-
ice law permitting retirement after 80
years of service was urged. Other mo
lutions adopted provided changes in
civil service appointments; declared as
unfair statements of cost Ct adjusted
service certificates in connection with
the Government debt and amendments
to the World War act Several minor
changes in the department constitution
and bylaws We're presented and ap-
pfONed.
The business of the convention to-
night viii include election of delegates
and s!tcrnates; adoption Of resolutions
end installation of officers. The con-
ventiCn to date he's been the most har-
monfous one in the history of the local
department. 1t is also the first time
that there was only one candidate each
for election to the various department
Offices.