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History of the |
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CHAPTER NINE |
(109) The third annual meeting of the Nebraska American Legion took place at Fremont, on September 29, 30, and October 1, 1921.
"It is an honor to Fremont, or to any city, to entertain the American Legion," said Mayor Green, in welcoming the five hundred delegates to his city. "It is an honor not only for what you men have done, but also for what you are doing, for what you stand for, for what you are. I feel that the American Legion is an organization that is destined to become a mighty force, and wield a tremendous influence in the affairs of our country, and you must therefore assume a correspondingly great responsibility. You were a mighty power in the war; I wonder if you realize the possibilities for power in times of peace. You can exert a great influence for right, for justice, and for morality. Your order stands for those things, and it must ever stand for these things or your power will crumble. Even as you did in your battle against arrogance, against autocracy, against the mightiest power in all Europe, you represent today the courage, the strength, the power of the nation. These are the mighty forces of character, and a nation is only as strong as the character of its people."
The convention was also addressed by Governor S. R. McKelvie and by Senator Perry Reed, who (110) led the fight in behalf of the English language in the 1921 session of the State Legislation. This distinguished Legislator was given a great ovation by the delegates and in his address he told the story of the foreign-language struggle that took place while most of the Legion members were in the service. An address was also made by Major Chas. C. Cresson, who assisted in the prosecution of the notorious slacker, Bergdoll. The National Commander of the American Legion was unable to be present and was represented by Humphrey Sullivan, who made a splendid address on the adjusted compensation fight which was being waged by the national organization at the time.
A feature of this meeting, Which caused considerable amusement, was the selection of the prettiest girl in Fremont and the homeliest delegate to the convention. After a careful and painstaking selection in which Chancellor Avery of the Nebraska State University, Walter L. Anderson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lewis (Lum) R. Doyle, State Boxing Commissioner, and several other well-known Legion men played a conspicuous part, Glenn H. Coffey of Lincoln, was finally chosen as "Nebraska's homeliest Veteran". Later Mr. Coffey took the leading part in a scene entitled "Beauty and the Beast", which was made into motion pictures.
The Third Annual Convention brought out several facts that augured well the future of the American Legion. The first healthy sign that was (111) to be seen in all deliberations was the desire on the part of all delegates to be most careful in their judgment. No action was taken until the matter had been thoroughly discussed and considered from every point of view. During the first several years there had been a tendency to act on the spur of the moment. Resolutions were passed and demands were made without due deliberation. This led to some mistakes that frequently were very damaging to the organization. But it was quite evident that this fault was due to lack of understanding of the aims and purposes of the Legion, and that it was soon to be overcome. The other healthy sign demonstrated by this meeting was the desire to stand firmly for principles and fight to the finish to win. This was true with the English language fight and the controversy surrounding the granting of adjusted compensation to World War veterans. The Nebraska Legion considered these matters from every angle and decided to stand back of them to the last ditch. Legion men did not-break ranks in war and it was evident they would not break them in peace.
At this time the matter of adjusted compensation was a great issue before Congress. This body had asked the American Legion to recommend legislation to right the financial wrongs accorded the men who served in the military forces during the World War. The demand on the part of veterans and patriotic citizens to have this matter righted was very great, and, with over fifty bills before it, Congress had turned to the (112) American Legion and asked that they suggest the kind of legislation that would be best for both the veteran and the country at large. The national Legislative Committee of the Legion immediately presented a bill that adjusted this compensation by offering the veteran five different options that would enable him to secure land, a home, an education, or paid-up Government insurance, or a cash consideration. However, when this measure came before Congress, certain Wall Street financial interests began a nation-wide fight against it. This battle between the Legion and the profiteers of the war was waged from 1920, with the latter gaining ground every day. In order to let the people of Nebraska and their representatives at Washington know exactly how the Nebraska Legion stood on the matter, the following resolution was passed at Fremont:
"WHEREAS, fairness and justice dictate that Adjusted Compensation should be awarded to ex-service persons, and
WHEREAS, the American Legion has definitely proposed legislation respecting adjusted compensation to the federal government, and
WHEREAS, the passage of said legislation has been unnecessarily delayed,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we commend the work already accomplished, in this respect, and instruct the delegates to the National Convention to exert strenuous efforts to effect a speedy enactment by the United States (113) Senate of the American Legion's four-fold adjusted compensation plan."
Other resolutions favored a larger program of Americanism, especially with reference to the respect for the national colors and the study of American history; a closer bond of fellowship and cooperation between the American Legion and other patriotic organizations such as the Grand Army of the Republic and the United Spanish War Veterans; better care of disabled and sick veterans on the part of the Federal Government; and better service to posts by the national organization of the Legion.
A great deal of time at this meeting was devoted to the drafting of by-laws for the department and in making several important changes in the constitution of the organization. The new state aid fund act called for several constitutional requirements to govern the committee charged with its disbursement. There was also quite an extended discussion regarding the department dues which had never been sufficient to take care of the expenses incident to the administration of the state organization. Authority was eventually granted, raising the per capita state dues from fifty to seventy-five cents.
The election of officers took place on the last day, as customary at the annual conventions. Interest centered around the office of Department Commander and efforts were made by all delegates present to get the best man for the position. Attention finally centered on William (114) Ritchie, Jr., of the Douglas County Post at Omaha. Ritchie had been enthusiastic about Legion affairs ever since the St. Louis caucus and had served on various committees in all the state conventions. At the time he was a member of the Department Executive Committee, where he had accomplished a great deal of work. He was later elected by unanimous choice.
"I hope I shall be able to measure up to the standards set by the two Commanders who have preceded me," Mr. Ritchie said, after being called to the platform. "If I can measure up only in a small way, I shall be happy. I must depend upon you men of the Legion and upon every post in the department for hearty cooperation in carrying out the spirit that has been infused into this organization by the two past Commanders of the Department of Nebraska, and in extending the hand of fellowship to every veteran who is not now a member of the American Legion."
Other officers selected to serve with Commander Ritchie were as follows:
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Vice-Commanders: |
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(115) Executive Committee: |
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E. B. Chappell, Lincoln. |
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