Evening star., 1948-08-08
Alb THE SUNDAY STAR, Washington, D. c.
D. f. KisIiuk Elected
Legion Commander
For D. T.. in Close Vote

No. Is, last night was elected the
new department commander in a
hotly contested race at the 30th
annual department convention of
the American Legion at the Hotel
Statler.
Although the unofficial count
showed that Mr.. Kisliuk got 234
votes to 2l3 given for his opponent!
Gerald Ryan, the convention made
the choice unanimous. This was
done after Mr. Ryan, chief clerk of
the Commerce Department. took the
roStrum and asked his colleagues
to change their votes.
Mr.. Kisliuks entire slate of run
ming mates was also elected.
Holleran Named Committeeman.
Most important of the other posts
was the election of Owen c. Hol-
leran. retiring commander, as ma
tional executive committeeman
from the District, succeeding James
j. Malloy, attorney.
Mr.. Malloy, who was a candidate
for national commander of the
Legion at the organizations con-
vention last year in New York, had
been executive committeeman for
- consecutive years and has long
been the acknowledged kingpin OF
Legion politics in the District.
MI Malloy moved that the vote
be made unanimous for Mr.. Hol-
leran when about half the ballots
had been cast. James D. Hill of
the Lesley and Douglas McNair
Post, was named alternate commit
teeman. The five department vice
chairmen elected were:
Walter A. jackson. James Reese
Europe Post; Joseph A. Walker,
Fort Stevens Post; Walter A. Nor
gan. jr.. Kenna Main Post; Charles
T. Bell, FBI Post, and William
Johnson, Civil Service Commission
Post.
Resolutions Passed.
The District Legion's annual con-
vention. with AS Official delegates
representing 10000 legionnaires here,
in a series of resolutions:
Reiterated opposition to the Dis
trict sales tax opposed the Auchin-
Gloss Home Rule Bill; advocated
further pay increases for Federal
employees and urged pay increases
for District Government workers;
supported the Marshall Plan but
opposed transfer of 500 ships to
foreign registry to carry cargoes
under the plan in competition with
the American Merchant Marine.
The convention supported Presi-
dent. Trumans civil rights program
by adopting the views of the Legion's
largest colored post here, James
Reese Europe Post, which proposed
the resolution.
Ask CT Bill Extension to Children.
The delegates advocated that the
CT bill of educational benefits be
made available to the children OF
veterans where veteran himself
does not care to avail himself of
this provision. The convention
voted to table a District bonus for
World War II veterans. which was
proposed by the Securities and Ex-
change Commission Post, the new
est unit in the Legion. here. COM
posed mostly of World War II vet
Grams.
Mr.. Kisliuk, who has served as
department adiutant since 1943, is
now serving in the Post ONCE De-
partnent under the First Assistant
Postmaster General, Division of
Post Office Service. He has been
continuously employed in the de-
parunent since 1925.
Came Here in 1913.
Born in Philadelphia July 13,
1900, Mr.. Kisliuk came to Wash
ington in 1918. He attended Gen.
trail High School, served in the
armed forces in World War I in
1918 and later attended the Uni
versity of Maryland and George
Washington University He was
married in 1925 to Miss Anadye
Scherr of Philadelphia.
Shortly before midnight, the con-
vention began the election of five
vice commanders and the choice
of a national executive committee
man and his alternate.
The five retiring vice comman-
ders, presented Mr.. Holleran, a pen
and ink set in token of appre-
citation for his service. Retir-
irg Department Vice Commander
Charles A. Schuettler made this
presentation in a brief speech. Mr..
Holleran presented lengthy re-
port on the last years activities of
the Legion here.