(29) Nebraska soldiers and sailors were among the very first in the country to make plans for a veterans' organization in their state. It should be kept in mind that the Paris caucus took place on March 15, 16 and 17, 1919, and that the St. Louis meeting was held nearly two months later, on May 8, 9 and 10. In the meantime the Cornhuskers made good use of their time. On April 5th--scarcely a month after the Paris gathering--a mass meeting was held in Omaha, the purpose of which was to get an expression from the service men and to make preliminary plans for a state convention. This meeting was arranged by Allan A. Tukey, at the solicitation of the National Executive Committee of the A. E. F. Legion, which was anxious to foster state chapters and therefor had appointed Mr. Tukey temporary State Secretary.

     While no official record of this meeting was kept, it seems that a goodly number of veterans attended and that most of the time was devoted to an open discussion of ways and means of getting the men throughout the state interested. A resolution was presented and passed which called upon the various counties of the state to send delegates to a meeting to be held in Lincoln May 3, 1919. It was not the intention of this particular gathering to formulate policies or transact (30) business but merely plan for a later meeting which would be representative of the entire state.

     The second meeting was held in the Hall of Representatives of the State Capitol at Lincoln and was called to order by Mr. Tukey at 2:30 p. m. on the afternoon of May 3. This caucus was the first representative gathering of world war veterans and the first constructive step toward the building of an organization that had ever been held in the state. Upon taking a roll call it was found that delegates were present from the following counties: Burt, Buffalo, Cass, Clay, Dawson, Douglas, Dodge, Hall, Johnson, Lancaster, Lincoln, Nance, Perkins, Richardson, Rock, Stanton, Scottsbluff and York. Several delegations arrived too late for the roll call and were not recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

     Considerable Legion history was made on that spring afternoon. Here was laid the foundation for the department of the Nebraska American Legion. Those service men who gathered here can truly be called the fathers of the state organization, as Lieutenant-Governor P. A. Barrows, who addressed the meeting, pointed out at the time. The Lieutenant-Governor predicted that they were building a lasting organization that would be of great power and cautioned them to build well, and to take sufficient time to consider each problem that would come before them.

     While this gathering was not large, it was representative and numbered among its delegates men from all parts of the state--men who were (31) willing to add just a little more to the big sacrifice demanded by the God of war, and give still more time and money that those who stood together in war might stand together in peace. A number of delegates to this initial meeting were later to become officers in the American Legion, and to help determine its destiny. Most of those present are still active in veteran circles and doing their bit to make the organization truly serve "God and Country". Allan A. Tukey, of Omaha, who had been decorated for bravery in action, was present and served as chairman of the caucus. Edward P. McDermott, of Kearney, a prominent "buck private" who organized the "Associated Soldiers and Sailors of Buffalo County"--the first county organization of world war veterans in Nebraska, was also at this meeting. Among others present were John G. Maher, of Lincoln, later selected to serve as State Commander; Frank S. Perkins, of Fremont, who had made the "Camp Dodger" famous; Dr. D. D. King, a well known physician of York; Jean Cain, of Falls City; Charles H. Epperson, Jr., of Clay Center; T. J. McGuire, of Omaha; and Hird Stryker, of Omaha-all of whom were later to become leaders in the Nebraska Legion.

     It is interesting now that the years have begun to fade the ink, to go over the minutes of this meeting. Of course, important features of the gathering were the formation of a state organization to be known as "The Nebraska Branch of the American Legion"--later to be changed to "The (32) American Legion, Department of Nebraska"--and the election of temporary officers. But the most interesting thing one finds in perusing this record is the determination to build well and to make certain that the organization should be representative of veterans of every rank, creed or color. When it came time to select two delegates at large to serve on the temporary Executive Committee, someone moved that these places be given to two colored soldiers--one to be chosen to represent colored men in Douglas County and the other to represent those in Lancaster. Again we find a motion duly put and carried which instructed the delegates to the St. Louis meeting to work toward the end of allowing membership to those American citizens, who, after being unable to enter the service of our government because of physical handicaps, later served honorably with Allied forces under other flags. And again we find put and carried a motion that invited representatives of the people of Nebraska--the Governor of the state, the Adjutant General, the Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Department Commander of the United Spanish War Veterans and others--to attend the St. Louis caucus as honorary delegates. Here was the key to the success that was to come to the American Legion: its leaders were willing and anxious to take the general public into their confidence and to let the people of the country know exactly what they were about. There was no deception or selfishness; no petty jealousy of rank or branch or (33) place of service; no distinction in class or creed or color; no desire to take something away from the American people by secret or unfair methods. The representatives of this meeting wanted to build a great organization that would appeal to all veterans--an organization that would serve the country at large as well as the individual soldier and sailor. How well they succeeded in this is left for time to record.

     From the beginning it had been the plan of the National Committee to divide the Legion into state branches, allowing each state to organize and supervise all local units within its boundaries--a plan which had been followed by the Grand Army of the Republic and similar organizations and found very successful. In order to get the organization into working order it was necessary to elect officers to carry on this work and to open an office at some convenient place in the state. Thereupon, the caucus elected the following temporary state officers who were to serve until the first state convention which would be held the coming fall prior to the first national meeting:

     It was soon felt that the state organization could have an executive committee to make it representative and well balanced--a principle of (34) government which the national, state and post organizations have continued to follow ever since. A motion was made and carried which provided that this committee should consist of two hundred members, two being allotted to each county and fourteen members at large to be selected by the caucus. This latter provision was changed by a subsequent motion to provide that the fourteen members at large be selected by the meeting, but that two must come from each Congressional district and the two remaining members must be colored men. Still another amending motion provided that the Sixth Congressional district should have four representatives instead of two, thereby increasing the members at large to sixteen, and the total committee to 202 members. However, the members at large, chosen by the caucus, were the only members ever selected and the only ones to take an active part in the work. Those veterans selected were as follows:

     Since the St. Louis caucus was scheduled for a meeting the next week, it was necessary that Nebraska send a strong delegation there to assist in shaping the plans for a national organization. It also would be quite important that the new officers learn just how they were expected to proceed in organizing local chapters, and what general outline of work they were to follow. Nebraska was allowed twenty-four delegates, so the following were selected to represent the state at St. Louis:

      Other business transacted at this meeting was the appointment of a committee to draft a temporary constituion and by-laws; the selection of a publicity officer; and the issuing of instructions to the new officers to draw up articles of incorporation for the new organization. These articles, which were filed on May 14th, are interesting because they set forth the purposes of the Nebraska Legion and show when it became a corporation.

     Know All Men by These Presents:

     That we, John G. Maher, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Allan A. Tukey, Ray J. Madden, Hird Stryker, Ralph Coad, T. J. McGuire, Hugh C. Robertson, of Omaha, Nebraska; on behalf of and in the interest of the soldiers, sailors and marines who served with the allied armies during the recent World War and under the authority of the temporary national organization of the American Legion, have associated ourselves together for the purpose of forming a corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska and do hereby adopt these Articles of Incorporation:

1. The name of the corporation shall be the "American Legion".

(37) 2. The place where its office for the transacting of business shall be Lincoln, Nebraska.

3. The corporation shall commence business on the 14th day of May, 1919, and terminate on the 14th day of May 1969.

4. The object for which this corporation is organized shall be to inculcate the duties and obligations of citizenship, to preserve the history and incidents of our participation in the war, to cement the ties of comradeship formed in service, to protect, assist and promote the general welfare of all soldiers, sailors and marines and those dependent upon them, to encourage the maintenance of individual and national efficiency to the end that the American people shall never fail in their obligation to humanity, to maintain the sacred doctrine of undivided and uncompromising loyalty to every principle for which the American Nation stands in the belief that that doctrine should be the guiding principle of the every day life of each citizen.

5. The corporation shall have power to receive bequests of real and personal property, to hold and convey both real and personal property, to lease property for the purpose of the organization, to mortgage and incumber its property and to do all other things usually done by corporations for the purpose for which it is organized.

6. The officers of this corporation shall consist of a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and until the next state convention the following (38) shall serve as officers of this organization: President, John G. Maher; first Vice President, Edward P. McDermott; second Vice President, Jean Cain; Secretary, Hugh C. Robertson; Treasurer, Frank Perkins. The affairs of the corporation shall be managed by an executive committee selected two from each county and sixteen chosen at large. These officers and the members of the executive committee shall serve for a period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

7. The terms and conditions of membership shall be those prescribed by the National Convention of American Legion, but until the first National Convention shall assemble, the regulations prescribed by the National Caucus at St. Louis, May 8th to 10th shall govern.

8. These Articles may be amended by a two-thirds vote of a State Convention provided notice of the proposed amendment shall be given to the Secretary of each county organization at least two weeks proceeding said meeting or convention.

In Witness Whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 14th day of May, 1919.

(SEAL)	John G. Maher
	Allan Tukey
	R. J. Madden
	Hird Stryker
	Ralph Coad
	Hugh C. Robertson
	T. J. McGuire

     (39) As soon as the delegates selected at the Lincoln caucus returned home from St. Louis they immediately took up the work of clearing the way for a state organization. The plan adopted at the national caucus provided for a local post of the Legion in each community that had fifteen or more service men. These posts were to be under the jurisdiction of a state department with a centrally located headquarters. The duty of this state office would be to organize posts and assist them to enroll all the available eligibles in every community throughout the state. Later it was to coordinate these posts and build a state organization.

     But hardly had the organization work been started when it was discovered that hundreds of returned service men were out of work and, in many cases, unable to get a settlement with the Government for back pay, travel pay, bonds, bonuses, allotments, etc. Many of these men did not know how to cut their way through the red tape which lay between them and the government officials, and large numbers of them were in dire need. Right here was brought most forcibly to the officials of the American Legion the fact that the organization must give service to the veterans if it were to succeed. It did not take the new state officials long to realize that the service work must be taken up at once, regardless of how busy they might be in trying to establish local units and enrolling members.

     It should be remembered that the new (40) organization had no funds at this time and that all its officers gave their services without remuneration. Many of these men had not as yet re-established themselves since the war and to carry on the Legion work at this time was a distinct hardship. Nevertheless, they took up the task with an indomitable spirit and a willing hand and gave most generously of their time. When they found service men in need, they stopped their organization activities and helped them adjust their claims or secure positions. Though handicapped by having no headquarters or clerical help, they accomplished a great deal and builded a reputation for service of which the organization may well be proud today.

     Fortunately, John G. Maher, State Commander, or State President, as this office was designated prior to the first national convention, was able to furnish enough private funds to get the organization machinery in operation. He gave over his private office as a temporary headquarters and put a clerk to work gathering data and sending out literature. Mr. Maher had an unusual ability as an organizer and within the course of a few weeks had arrangements completed to charter a number of posts. He divided the work with Hugh C. Robertson, the State Secretary, and part of the business was transacted from Mr. Maher's office and the other part from Mr. Robertson's office fn Omaha. Though the caucus at Lincoln had directed that a department headquarters be opened in the capital city, no effort was made to (41) do so at this time as it was felt that such a step could be better taken after the first state convention and after the permanent officers were selected.

     The opening gun in the campaign to interest Nebraska veterans in the American Legion was in the form of a letter sent out to all the newspapers in the state, asking that service men who were desirous of organizing local posts communicate immediately with the Department Secretary. This letter met with great success at the hands of the editors of the state, most of whom not only published it in full in their papers but wrote personal letters to Commander Maher advising that their pages would be open to all such matter the Legion might care to publish. Many of these men expressed themselves as believing that a Legion post would be a good thing for their community, and that they were anxious to help the good cause along.

     About the same time that this letter was sent out, Allan A. Tukey, Omaha; Edward Goodrich, Fairbury; A. B. Cram, Tecumseh; F. C. Clarke, Hartington; Robert G. Simmons, Scottsbluff ; Dr. Earl C. Boyd, Central City; William K. Edwards, Alliance; Harry P. Letton, Lincoln; Earl M. Cline, Nebraska City; John A. Lawler, Hastings; Edward P. McDermott, Kearney; Frank A. Warner, Norfolk; Charles H. Epperson, Jr., Clay Center; and a number of others who had been active in founding the state association, organized posts in their home towns. Mr. Tukey and Dr. Cram (42) were the first to get their posts under way; at any rate, their applications for charters were received at Commander Maher's office on the same day. As the applications came to hand, Mr. Maher numbered them consecutively, and each post retained that number as long as it held its charter. Therefore, Omaha was given No. 1, and Tecumseh No. 2. According to the records now in the Department archives, the first post was chartered on July 1, 1919 as "The Douglas County Post, No. 1." The second post was chartered the same day under the name, "The Kenneth A. Curtis Post." Lincoln followed in a few days and was chartered as "Lincoln Post No. 3." Seven other posts were given their charters during July and named as follows: "Fourth Nebraska Post", of Hartington; "Wright-Iron Post, No. 5", of Scottsbluff; "Lone Tree Post, No. 6," of Central City; "Alliance Post, No. 7", of Alliance; "Adam Schellinger Post, No. 8", of Nebraska City; "James Barry Post, No. 9", of Hemingford ; and "Morrill Post, No. 10", of Morrill. The rules governing the naming of a post at this time and ever since provided that no unit could be named in honor of any living person. The majority of Nebraska posts, as in other states, named their chapters in honor of departed comrades.

     From the early part of July until the first annual state convention held in Omaha October 10 and 11, 1919, there were 110 posts chartered in the Department of Nebraska. Commander Maher (43) and Secretary Robertson, in little more than three months, made a record for rapid-fire organization work that will ever stand to their credit. These posts were well scattered throughout the state and, with a few exceptions, in the western part of the Commonwealth, one was to be found in each county.

     It is interesting to look back on the methods devised to organize posts. Commander Maher employed many ingenious means of getting in touch with service men throughout the state who could be interested in a veterans' organization and who might be willing to give their time and energy in carrying on the work. Even the County sheriffs were utilized. A letter was sent to each Sheriff in the state requesting him to furnish the name of some "live wire" veteran in his county. Several of these guardians of the law interpreted "live wire to mean something entirely different from that which Mr. Maher had intended. One replied that none of the boys in his county had ever been court-martialed, while in another town the Sheriff called a prominent service man by telephone and told him that he must organize a Legion post at once. Orders to that effect had just been received from the War Department, signed by a Colonel Maher, and army orders must always be carried out and explained afterwards!

     In summing up the results of Commander Maher's administration, which lasted but a little more than five months, one is astonished at the (44) amount of organization work which was accomplished in such a short time and under such handicaps on every side. Over a hundred posts had sprung up in the course of the summer and thousands of veterans had been interested in the new organization. Other societies, which were competing with the Legion for members, scarcely had been able to get a temporary state committee organized. Though Mr. Maher and his temporary committee were not long at the task, it is to be recorded that they accomplished a great deal of constructive labor and played a most important part in the building of the Nebraska American Legion.

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