The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-07-10
William JOHNSON
OF MIN0T LEADING
LEGION CANDIDATE
Newspaperman Is Favorite to
Win Commandership Of
State Department
HEAR NATIONAL COMMANDER
Hundreds Of Legionnaires From
Throughout North Dakota
At Williston

liam H. Johnson, Minot newspaper
man, Monday came to the fore as an
candidate for state COM
mander Of North Dakota American
Legion as l6 posts of the central as
ISOLATION of the legion handed him
their endorsement.
H. M. Pippin, Halliday. vice COM
mander Of the state organization,
stood out as the strongest competitor
with the race apparently narrowing
down between him and johnson as
sessions Of one Of the most interesting
conventions in the history of the le-
gion got under way Monday.
The intensive contest between Jack
Williams, Fargo, and Charles F. Mar
tin, Bismarck, for state adjutant cap
tured the interest of the legionnaires,
with supporters of both candidates ex-
pressing optimism as to the outcome
Williams boosters claimed they
would come through with better than
a 2 to l victory when the election is
over. but this was quickly challenged
by the Martin forces, who insisted
their candidates chances were better
than equal to his opponent.
The Martin Williams contest at
tracted legtonnaires In large numbers
and In the opinion Of veteran officers
OF the organization has contributed
to making this convention the great
est in the history of the legion.
Arrive BY Hundreds
Sunday the legionnaires arrived by
automobile and train by the hundreds
and participated in day of enter
tainment.
Memorial services were held In the
evening with the legion and auxiliary
members joining. Rev. j. A. Fjelstad,
Edmore. department chaplain, gave
the sermon.
DR.. H. 8. Kreidler. Wahpeton, state
commander, opened Mondays sessions
and after the opening formalities
Governor William LANCER addressed
the World war veterans The out
standing speaker of the days program
was the National Commander Louis
johnson Of West Virginia. Mrs. Emily
Corbin, national vice president, and
Mrs. H. p. Idle, state president of the
auxiliary, also addressed the joint
service.
Appointment of committees was
announced at the opening session by
Adjutant Williams.
The committees:
Resolutions-Dr. l.. B. Greene,
Edgeley, chairman; G. T. Hoverson,
Fargo; DR.. F. E. Week. Park River;
H. M. Pippin, Halliday; william T..
Cummins, Mandan.
Constitutions and by-laws-Lynn
Stambaugh, Fargo, chairman; Fred
Frederickson, Valley City; Gervais
Dickinson; NJ. s. Byrne,
Bowman: william Johnson. Minot.
Finance, audit and budget-Tom
Condor. Valley City, chairman; John
Ashley, Fred Seeba, Har-
vey.
Observation-Disclosures Thorn, Good
rich; Fred Petchell, Shields; H. G.
Cakes; c. A. Dahl, Grafton;
T. o. Kraabel, Fargo.
Credentials-T. E. Whelan, st.
Thomas, chairman: Oscar Lunseth,
Grand Forks; Charles Divine, Willis
ton.
Names Watford City Man
Son Of the American Legion
James Little, Barney, chairman;
Harold K. Bowen, Portal: E. M. An
derson, Rolette; s. O. Dundas, Wat
ford City.
Distinguished guests-Joe Rabino-
vich, Grand Forks; John Kennedy,
Mandan; Harry Hart, Ray; Carl Err
Ickson, Williston; DR.. G. s. Jones.
Williston.
Walt Stiehm trophy. Earl Cline,
Maddox, chairman; A. M. Paulson,
cooperstown; A. T. Langemo, Hat
on; ]. P. Brendal, Parshall; w. G.
Mitchell, Rolla.
Boy scout committee-G. A. Ruana,
Bentley; Carl Undergrad, Belfield;
glrick Gulan, Enderlin: o. B. Ben
;on, Bottineau; s. T. Lillehaugen,
Drake.
The national, commander called on
Iegionnaires to oppose extravaganza
n government, and took determined
tand against issuance OF tax-exempt
ecurities by the federal government
IT we are going to have honest eco
lomy," he said, then let our govern
nent call In those tax-exempt secur-
ties so that the dollars Of the rich
nan shall be taxed pro-rata with the
dollars Of the poor man in carrying
n this government Of ours"
Clean Out Corruption
He urged members OF the Legion to
clean out corruption, graft, fraud
md extravaganza" in high places
nd low places" declaring that cri-
les Of the Legion had abandoned
heir "so-called campaign of economy
n government"
The Legion, Johnson said. will carry
he flag Of economy "where these cri-
les Of the veteran have thrown" 1t
!own.
He expressed opposition to gold
on the veterans list, telling
he Legionnaires the Legion stands
dedicated to keep them off 50 that the
disabled men will be respected by the
,eople Ct America.
These 'gcldbrcke-s' a-e continual
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