Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1931-08-28

hamlet in California to the thir-
tenth annual convention of the
California Department of the Am
erican Legion at Long Beach, Aug
ust 81, has already began. The con-
vention will actually be four con-
ventionS in one as the American
Legion Auxiliary, the 40 Homes ct
6 Chevaux and the HUT Chapaeux
ct Quarante Femmes will hold their
annual sessions at the same time.
Every mode of travel will be US
ed by the veterans to reach the
convention city. Special rates have
ship. motor bus and airplanes COM
panies and $4,000 Legionnaires are
expected to be in Long Beach when
B. w. Gearhart, Of Fresno, state
commander, pounds his gavel open
ing the convention, and State Adj
jutant James K. Fisk gets the first
| business session underway.
From spectacular standpoint the
Legion's convention this year should
far surpass any of the previous state
meetings The parade, which will
be held on the afternoon of August
81, will be one of the highlightS of
the convention. More than $4,000
Legionnaires will be in the line Of
march in various colored uniforms.
Musical organizations numbering l25
will participate and more than $50
hoo Z, ift,11yy 1nnny.ntol o91d 6ncini1nH
| floats will be on display.
General Hunter Liggett will be
grand marshal of the parade and
Captain James w. Hanbery, chief
of staff. In the reviewing stand
will be a large number of diStin-
guished guests and army and navy
officers.
Corps To Contest
Next to the parade the drum and
bugle corps contests will be the big
entertainment attraction. More than
100 posts will compete for the high
est award ever given for such a
competition. The eliminationS will
commence following the conclusion
CT the parade with the finals in the
evening There is SO much rivalry
in this competition that the COM
mittee in charge has decided to
keep the names of the judges Sc
cret until after the contest is over.
The judges will be chosen from the
regular army and navy.
The national commander of the
Legion also will be present. The
growing strength Of the Legion in
this state is attracting such nation
wide attention that Ralph T. O'Nell,
national commander, chose to be
at Long Beach instead of at eastern
state department conventions. In
his party will be several command
ers from middle western states.
Charles E. Perry, chef de chemin
de fer, of the 40 and s, is also COM
ing from his home in Maine to be
present.
The United States Navy under the
direction of Vice Admiral r. H.
Leigh, commander of the Pacific
battleship fleet, is giving every CO.
operation to make the convention
a success. -Four giant battleships
will leave San Franciso a few days
ahead of their schedule to join 9TH
ers in southern waters. The entire
squadron will anchor short dis
| lance off the Long Beach shore.
! The ships will be opened to visitors
every afternoon, and each evening
searchlight drills will be held. More
than 1000 sailors and marines will
march in the parade, accompanied
by four ships bands. The navy force
will participate in the parade with
! full landing equipment The bands
of the battleship Tennessee will play
at the Auxiliary meeting Monday
and the West Virginia's band will
appear at the Legion's session Tues
day.
Imperial Valley will have largo
delegation at the convention, al
the posts planning on being repre-
Sented.
Boyce Aten Post will send its
drum and bugle corps which vii
enter into the contests to be con-
Quoted as a feature Of the con-
vention. The "windjammerS' anc
tub Founders" have been practic-
ing religiously for several week.
and are determined to make gooC
showing, with the possibility of get
ting a prize.
Harry Woodbury. has been APP
pointed by Pat Thaanum, distric
commander, to work on the IN. P.
detail. The convention will hay'
its own police to cooperate witt
the Long Beach officers in takin,
care of any service men who ma.
get into minor jams with the law
Handsome Harry" was chosen al
ter a competitive examination baset
on pulchitrude and the ability Il
sing out, Hey, you can't stan'
there, soldier"
Harry Keeble of Brawley has beef
designated an assistant sergeant-at
. arms, with the duty of throwing on