Evening star., 1941-08-03
Haywood Saunders
Named Commander
OF District Legion
Mccarthy, Brennon and
McKinnon Also Receive
Department Offices

Heywood N. Saunders, an en-
ploye of the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing, last night was ele-
waited to the highest post IN the
District Department of the American
Legion. BY the unanimous vote
of delegates attending the closing
session of the departments twenty
third annual convention at the May
flower Hotel, Mr. Saunders was
elected department commander.
Other officers, also elected, by
unanimous vote, were C. Francis
Mccarthy of Sergt Jasper Post,
No. 13, senior vice commander; Will
liam R. Brennan, Bunker Hill Post.
No. 13, junior vice commander. and
Alex McKinnon, Potomac Post, NO.
10. third vice commander.
The only post contested was that
of iunior vice commander. After
roll call vote, Henry Heine, Vim
cent B. Costello Post, No. IS, moved
that a unanimous ballot be record
ed for Mr.. Brennan.
Comdr. Saunders, who succeeds
William H. Hargrave as chief Of
ficer of the District Department,
served overseas during the World
War as a member of the 10th Field
Artillery of the old Goth Division.
He saw action In the battle OF YER
dun and came back with the rank
of sergeant. He lives at 1852 Van
Buren street NV.
Convention Delegates Named.
On hand last night to see him
anducted into Office were his mother,
Mrs. c. c. Saunders, and his 18-
year-old daughter, Helen Louise
Saunders. The officers were in
Quoted by Maj. Paul j. McGahan,
commander of the department IN
1928.
The following delegates and alter
nate delegates to the twenty-thlrd
annual national convention of the
American Legion. to be held in Mil
waukee September is, is, II and l8,
also were elected:
Comdr. Saunders and Past Comdr.
Hargrave, Theodore Cogswell, Will
liam P. Kershner. William t. Slat-
terry, Ferd G. Fraser, Edwin w. Lu-
ther, Charles Kohen, L. Dorothy
Drunken, Watson B. Miller, c. l..
Dawson, Howard S. Fisk, S. D.
Comingore, Ernest F. Dwyer, Will
liam Brewer, Joseph J. Idler, Melvin
D. Hildreth, Sylvester A. Wpodfork,
Harvey Bean, Frank Buckley, Will
liam T. Stansbury, John j. Mulvey,
Junior Vice Comdr. Brennan, Rob-
ert Murtagh. Charles Beilman, Ed
ward Van Hise, William Buell. Mrs.
Edna Smith and John A. Long.
Before electing a new slate Of
officers, the department unanimous
ly adopted a resolution calling for
full support of the sale of Defense
savings bonds and stamps.
Hargrave Makes Report.
Retiring Commander Hargrave
made his annual report to the con-
vention, recounting the activities
and accomplishments of the depart
ment during the tenure of office. He
pointed out that the department has
maintained membership in the Dis
trict Defense Council, has offered
ats efforts in air defense service deal
ling with personnel for air raid
lscreens, interceptor and blackout
duty and auxiliary police and fire
duty in emergencies.
Mr.. Hargrave said tentative plans
have been made for city-wide
network Of Legionnaires to provide
an organized nucleus for any
emergency.
He recalled that the department
has assisted the selective service
system, handling the entire local
registration last July l. and also
called attention to programs OF en-
tertainment arranged for Camp
Meade, Fort Myer, Fort Belvolr,
Ouantico Marine Base, local vet
erans' hospitals and other places.
He mentioned the Legion's Ameri-
canism work and its sponsorship, in
cooperation with The Star, OF the
Soap Box Derby.
Mr.. Hargrave also called atten-
ton to activities in behalf of the
Community Chest, Red Cross, child
welfare work, rehabilitation and gen.
eral welfare. He said that, as de-
partment commander, he had at
tended more than 325 civic. pa
triotic, memorial, social and legion
function.