The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-02
HIGHEST LEGION
JOB PITFALL TO
POLITICS HOPES
Few National Commanders
Made Stepping Stone
Out of Post.
BY WALKER STONE
Times stan Writer

Times stan writer
WASHINGTON Sept. 2.-Nstion-
al commander OF the American
Legion is much sought after posi-
ton.
The term is limited TO one year.
In that year a national commander
travels from coast to coast, ad
dresses conventions and banquets,
and receives 10000 and expenses.
Few, If any, national commanders
have served without financial loss,
due TO the high scale Of living, and
the necessary neglect Of personal
business.
Yet, it is one dazzling year of
sweeping about the country in the
glow of the national limelight, being
feted and consulted by those who
cherish or fear the real or mythical
political power of the legion.
Aspirants regard it as stepping
stone. A fair for politics seems to
be a characteristic Of those who rise
high in the legion organization.
Warn Of Pitfan
Nine known candidates already
are plugging for the national com
membership at the Portland con-
vention, Sept. IL to IS.
But If 1t is political promotion
they are seeking, their ardor for the
job should be cooled by review
OF what has happened to former
national commanders
The national commandership las
proved a political pitfall in most
cases.
Here is what has happened to
former national commanders who
still are living:
Frank D'Ollier of Philadelphia.
kept out Of politics and now is vice
president of the Prudential Insur-
ance Company.
John Emery of Grand Rapids.
Mich, tried to come to the United
States senate, but in vain.
Few Fail TO Rise
Hanford MacNider of Iowa, looked
with longing eyes at the senate seat
held by Smith Brookhart, but never
Ventured to test his strength at the
polls, contenting himself, instead,
with term as assistant secretary of
war and later appointment as
minister to Canada.
Alvin Owsley lawyer of Dallas,
FIRST aspired to be the Democratic
presidential nominee, and then
lowered his sights to the governor
ship of Texas, and later to the
United States senate, failing in all
three attempts.
John Quinn became a city COM
missioner in Los Angeles.
James A. Drane of Spokane has
comparatively steady employment as
attorney for the government in ma
tional bank receiverships in his dis
trict.
McNutt Is Exception
Howard Savage was defeated for
treasurer of Cook county, and now
is dealing out script instead of pay
envelopes to the school teachers of
Chicago, in his appointive capacity
as financial officer for the Chicago
board of education.
Ed Spafford, of New York, was
spanked by Tammany when he tried
TO get Representative Sirovich's seat
in congress.
Paul v. McNutt of Indiana Che is
the exception to the Tule) after
much political tribulation has man
aged to capture the Democratic
gubernatorial nomination, in what
looks like a Democratic year.
Ralph T. O'Neal Of Topeka is now
chairman of the ex-service mems
division in the Democratic national
headquarters at New York.
Defeated by a Woman
o. L. Bodenhamer found to his
surprise a few days ago that the
voters of Arkansas believed a wom-
an, Mrs. Hattie Caraway, could bet
ter represent them in the senate.
Undaunted by these examples,
the following nine legionnaires are
seeking the honor of being national
commander next year:
Frank Belgrano of California,
Louis johnson of West Virginia,
Ray Fields of Oklahoma, George
Malone of Elevator, Ray Murphy of
Iowa, Pat Cliff of Minnesota. Ed
Dunlap of Georgia, Ed Hayes of
Illinois and Sam Reynolds of
Nebraska.