Evening star., 1947-08-10
State Legion Monthly
Held Mismanaged al
Maryland Convention
BY the Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Aug. 9.-Charges
Of mismanagement and dictatorship
were lodged today against opera
tions of the Maryland Legion
naire," monthly publication of the
Maryland Department of the Amer
lean Legion.
The accusations were hurled in
bitter debate this afternoon when
the Resolutions Committee pre-
sented its report before the annual
State convention here. The COM
mittee proposed an increase in the
annual membership dues to support
the "Legionnaire."
Roy S. Pyle of Havre de Grace
declared the publication was a "one-
man paper and was being used fol-
political purposes.
James H. Onion, business man.
ager of the organ, said it was max
ing money and had a balance OF
more than $1,000.
Staff Member Opposes Setup.
Mr.. Pyle's charges and subsequent
denials by supporters of the publ.
cation precipitated a heated argu.
ment, and at one point John F
Boschen, department. commander
who was presiding, turned oyer hi
gavel to Vice Commander George
P. Welzant.
A member Of the "Legionnaire's
editorial staff, Esther E. Williams
asserted she was mot for the paper
under the present setup," and asked
for an investigation of its manage
ment.
The resolution that started the
debate provides that dues be raised
from 81 to $1.25. Although motions
to postpone a vote on the resolu-
ton were defeated, the. session ad-
journed before a ballot was taken,
placing the measure at the top of
tomorrow's agenda.
DIP Resolution Rejected.
Among resolutions voted on was a
that displaced persons be
admitted to the United States
through untitled portions Of immi-
grafton quotas which accrued dur
ing World War II. The resolution
was rejected.
Resolutions proposing increases of
training payments, dis
abled veterans pensions, and the
number of veterans hospital beds in
Maryland were approved.
Also passed was a proposal that
congressional pageboy appoint
ments be limited to disabled vet
Grams capable of performing such
duties"
A resolution to start preparation
for construction of a central Office
or home for the Department OF
Maryland was voted down.
Assembly Delegates 'Assailed.
State Senator David r. McLaugh-
lin, Republican, of Washington
County, took exceptions to charges
made yesterday that several mem
bers of the Maryland General AS
sembly are "antiveteran.
William H. McGrath, chairman OF
the Legion's Legislative Committee
and delegate from Prince Georges
County, had declared in a report
that opposition to an anti-Com
munist bill was encountered In the
Senate Judicial Proceedings Com.
mittee.
Mr.. McGrath also declared thai
the Montgomery County delegation
had refused to accede to the wishes
of the county's own veterans.
Senator Mclaughlin, in his reply
said the Judicial Committee hac
withheld approval of the bill be.
cause it was unconstitutional al
first written
Upholds Senator Bolton.
He said that besides himself, two
other members of the committee
were members of the American
Legion-Senators Louis Goldsteir
of Calvert County and Stanford
Hoff of Carroll County.
ANY implication that Senator
Bolton COMMITTEE chairman) was
unfair" Mr. Mclaughlin said, 81!
untrue"
He said latter the bill was amend.
ed to make 1t constitutional we ap.
approved 1t and it was passed by the
assembly"
The f1ve-day convention is sched.
uled to adjourn tomorrow with tht
installation Of officers to be electec
earlier in the day. Candidates fol
department commander are Samue
j. Cohen of Hagerstown; Harry S
Allen Of Laurel, and H. WinshiI
Wheatley, Jr. of Hyattsville.