the work already begun, and this work showed such results that at the Philadelphia convention of 1926 it was made the most important objective of the Legion for the current year.

At San Francisco the Legion declared in unmistakable terms that it believed it inconsistent with loyalty to American institutions and traditions for any individual or organization to create or foster "racial, religious, or class strife among our people, or which takes into its own hands the enforcement of law, determination of guilt, or infliction of punishment."

Land reclamation projects were indorsed, particularly the Colorado River Basin and the Columbia River Basin projects, which would make available immense tracts of land for settlement.

The convention also declared for maintenance of cordial relations with our associates in the World War and expressed sympathy with the French policy of occupation of the Ruhr.

Changes in the constitution and by-laws as amended the following year provided that the term of office of national executive committeemen should be for two years.

On armistice day, 1923, the Galbraith Memorial at Cincinnati was unveiled. This overlooks the Ohio River and is the tribute of the Legion to a beloved commander.

In January, 1924, a nation-wide intensive campaign was inaugurated to bring about a determination by Congress in favor of adjusted compensation, that danger of the appearance of this issue in national politics in the approaching presidential election might be eliminated. The outcome of this renewed battle for the rights of the ex-service man was the passage of the adjusted compensation act, May 19, 1924, a measure acknowledged to be one of wisdom and justice and free from the dangers some imagined to be inherent in it.

The sixth annual convention was held at St. Paul, Minn., September 15 to 19, 1924. It was determined that no other activity of the Legion should be preferred to rehabilitation work. This was not to permit a let-down in the general activities of the Legion. In 1923 a child welfare committee had been appointed in compliance with a vote of the New Orleans convention, to study the subject of care of dependent children of veterans and at the San Francisco convention further progress in this line had been made, but at the St. Paul convention a definite program was adopted. A result was the maintenance of several billets in which children of deceased ex-service men were received, the plan being to avoid institutional care and to give the children the advantages so far as possible of home life. This policy is not preferred to finding private homes, and to giving help in the home, and at the present time with the increase of available means the latter policy is followed. The raising was authorized of a great endowment fund ($5,000,000), the income to be used to provide assistance for the disabled and to care for the dependent children of deceased and of disabled veterans. The convention reaffirmed what has become the settled policy of the Legion-the enactment by Congress of a law whereby material and industry, as well as men, should be subject to draft in time of war, and the maintenance of military forces sufficient to insure security. In connection with the Legion membership in the "Fidac," the national executive committee the preceding May had authorized the national commander to name a "permanent foreign relations committee," and at this convention there was authorized an "American Legion World Peace Committee."

Gen. Charles G. Dawes, now Vice President of the United States, was present at the 1924 convention in his capacity as a legionnaire and as such marched in the parade with his post and department. Political questions were entirely avoided, but the Legion during the autumn exerted itself throughout the country to bring out the vote, regardless of party affiliation. James A. Drain, of Washington, was elected national commander.

The seventh annual convention was held at Omaha, Nebr., October 5 to 9, 1925, James F. Barton was now national adjutant, having succeeded Russell G. Creviston the preceding July. Legion national headquarters had been removed to the Indiana World War Memorial Building, which was dedicated June 17, 1925, the first unit of the Indiana memorial to soldiers in the World War, a project which will eventually cost $10,000,000, and which is located in the heart of Indianapolis.

In January, 1925, there had been established at national headquarters the children's welfare division, the functioning agent of the committee in charge of that activity and at the National executive committee meeting in January, 76735-28-9

1927, the child welfare committee was reorganized on the same plan as the national rehabilitation committee, five areas being formed, each with its chairmen who are also members of the executive committee of that national committee. In March was chartered the American Legion Endowment Fund Corporation, and great progress in raising the fund was made. An honorary committee, which sponsored the project, was headed by Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States. Mr. Coolidge was present at the Omaha convention and delivered a memorable address which the country quickly realized was an exposition of what was to be the policy of the administration, and which showed how closely the President sympathized with the principles of the American Legion.

Further progress was also made in raising an "Overseas Graves Endowment Fund" to provide for perpetual decoration of the graves of our men overseas, The principal has nearly reached the sum set for the fund, $200,000.

At the Omaha convention the American Legion world peace committee made a constructive report and at its own request was discharged. The functions of this committee were merged with the activities of the foreign relations commission, which was reorganized as the American Legion commission of world peace and foreign relations.

Definite steps were taken toward arranging for the Paris convention to be held in 1927, and a committee appointed with extraordinary powers. John R. McQuigg was elected national commander, who declared that in addition to forwarding the preferred projects of the Legion he should initiate a campaign to increase the membership. At the end of his term he had the satisfaction of announcing not only that the membership had been materially increased, but that every one of the major objectives, except one, of the Legion had been realized, and that the endowment fund also was complete.

The eighth annual convention was held at Philadelphia, October 11 to 15. 1926. This was the first convention to be held in the East and proved one of the most generously attended. Philadelphia was observing the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and on the 13th of June had opened with impressive dedicatory ceremonies a great national exposition. President Coolidge delivered the address on that occasion, and complying with instructions of the Omaha convention there were present the national commander and other national officers of the Legion.

The convention again placed itself on record that disabled emergency Army officers should be placed on an equality with officers in other branches of the service and that the Nation should redeem its promise made in 1917, when these volunteer officers received their commissions. The convention, because of the fact that the question of the United States adhering to the World Court had become a political question, overwhelmingly refused to adopt a resolution calling for the reaffirmation of the resolution of the preceding year that the United States should adhere to "a permanent Court of International Justice." It also asked Congress to provide measures whereby in the taking of the next census a special enumeration should be made of ex-service men.

The Legion at the Philadelphia convention granted the title of "Honorary commander, the American Legion" to Marshal Ferdinand Foch and Gen. John J. Pershing.

The primary objective for the coming year was declared to be " community betterment." The care of the interests of the disabled ex-service man remains a paramount duty. The Legion urges Congress to provide an adequate military force for the protection of the country and maintenance of peace, and to adopt a reasonable program in aviation and naval construction. The activities of the special committees and commissions appointed by and sustained by the Legion continue of first importance.

Vice President Dawes and General Pershing addressed the convention. Letters were read from the President of France, from the Premier of France, and from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and these greetings were followed by those of Col. Yves Picot in behalf of the veterans of France and M. Jacques Truelle, member of the Franch Mission, a veteran of the French Army, and speaking officially for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing a cordial invitation for the Legion's visit to Paris.

Howard P. Savage of Illinois was elected national commander.
The next convention of the Legion will be held in Paris.

In the various departments the work of the national organization is conducted along parallel lines. Consideration has been given veterans by

most of the States in varying degrees-land settlement preferences, vocational training, certain tax exemptions, etc. In many States recognition of the veterans' sacrifice has been shown by the payment of a State gratuity. These acts, although largely spontaneous, received the support of and were made practical through the cooperation of the Legion in the various departments concerned.

Patriotism is inculcated directly through the efforts of the Americanization commission and by the proceedings of the various posts, not the least impressive of which are the taking over, as opportunity offers, of the commemoration of Memorial Day and the establishment of a perpetual endowment fund which insures the annual decoration of overseas graves of American service men.

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL JUDGE ADVOCATE

I have the honor to submit the following report, as national judge advocate of the American Legion, for the year 1926-27. Due to the fact that many of the detail matters which require the attention of this office are of comparatively minor importance, or merely of local or temporary significance, and thus, of no particular consequence so far as an annual report is concerned, only certain outstanding points are considered.

The work undertaken by the national judge advocate for the most part is similar to that handled in any ordinary relationship of attorney and client, dealing with the preparation of opinions on questions, raised both in the national headquarters and in the field; correspondence, which often is voluminous; interviews with various department heads and members of the staff of the national offices; consideration and interpretation of provisions of the constitution and of convention actions; recommendations on matters including, in many instances, preparation of suggested action for convention or executive committee consideration; suggestions in the handling of local situations; corporate reports; and oversight of legal details for the business departments of the national organization, including collection of slow accounts. Consequently it is impossible to give, even in general terms, any complete outline of those matters brought to the attention of the national judge advocate from day to day. Certain features of the national organization activities which involve legal formalities which are under the supervision of this office, grow out of our child welfare activity, where the supervision of certain billets and observance of local statutory regulations of child welfare work require attention, and during the year covered by this report, work for each of the billets which have been under the direction of the American Legion has been necessary, particularly with a view of clarification and recognition of last convention action.

The American Legion Endowment Fund Corporation, operating as a separate corporation, is, of necessity, under the supervision of the legal department, and the formalities of meetings, both of the members and directors, as well as required reports, are handled by the national judge advocate.

Likewise, the Y. M. C. A. trust fund is, in part, under the direction of the national judge advocate who is empowered as one of the Legion officers with access to the securities held by that fund.

Outstanding features mentioned in practically every annual report of the work of this office continue to occupy a place of the same general importance. Certain generalizations can be made, particularly the impression gained by this office that throughout the United States the American Legion is operating in a more efficient, business-like, and careful manner than heretofore, and, to that generalization, should be added the earnest recommendation mentioned in former reports, that every attention should be given to a strict responsibility in business matters.

From time to time efforts are made, through these headquarters, to collect accounts against posts. Although, as a policy, an effort to make a collection bureau of the national organization is frowned upon, in order to keep a good credit rating, efforts are made to bring to the attention of posts concerned the importance of giving prompt attention to all accounts. No less important should be the attitude of posts and departments in accounts of the national organization. In some few instances checks received in payment of bills have been returned by banks upon which they were drawn. No excuse exists for such practice and, in the event that any other reason than a simple error exists, it is thought that the giving of a bad check for merchandise purchased from the American Legion should be sufficient grounds for expulsion from membership.

The question of incorporation of posts continues to arise, and it has been recommended by this office that where posts are engaged in any business proposition of importance corporate organization is desirable as a means of release from personal liability. More particularly where a Legion post is acquiring real estate for the benefit of the post it has been recommended that the post be

incorporated under State statutes permitting such organization, but with complete recognition of the desirability of having local participation in the direction of buildings dedicated to public use as well as Legion use, and with particular reference to the future purposes of such buildings.

The use of the emblem continues to be a matter upon which considerable correspondence develops. Every effort should be exercised to dignify the emblem of the American Legion and to carry out the established policy that it should not be used for commercial purposes.

With the pilgrimage to France, held in the fall of 1927, problems of a legal nature have arisen in considerable number, including the preparation and approval of contracts, and consideration of many questions of policy. The most important questions have dealt with the procedure necessary to assure recognition of the legal requirements of the corporate organization. It may be considered by the field that the results of some of the positions taken by this office have the effect only of involving the organization in additional effort, but it should be remembered that the American Legion is a corporation and that its existence depends upon a strict compliance with the requirements of corporate existence in no less degree than any business house similarly organized. A very considerable part of the time devoted to Legion affairs by the national judge advocate has been given to matters growing out of the France trip.

Questions respecting eligibility continue to arise in the national organization, but it appears that the departments are entirely capable of handling practically every question now presented, and few inquiries arise, excepting through posts and individuals. The function of this office, so far as eligibility is concerned, should be devoted largely to giving information for uniform decisions on eligibility in order that there might appear throughout the country no divergent positions on those questions, and for that purpose this office is always available to give the benefit of any information received either as to the attitude taken elsewhere, or the position on eligibility as worked out by investigation made here.

Growing out of that question and intimately related thereto is the matter of honorary membership. It has come to the attention of this office from time to time that posts have extended honorary memberships to various persons, generally of high distinction, and in many instances other posts have criticized this action.

The circumstances have usually been such, if brought to the attention of national headquarters, that it would not only be highly embarrassing but highly unpolitic even to suggest that the unauthorized action of a post in electing a man to honorary membership should be rescinded. It is clearly unconstitutional, yet the result is generally that an election takes place, extensive publicity is given to the fact, and thereafter no benefit to the organization or otherwise would ensue from insisting upon a strict compliance with the constitution.

It is urged that the organization as a whole appreciate the fact that the constitution should be honored and followed, and that action extending honorary membership to persons be omitted in the future.

Permit me to express my deep appreciation of the continued cooperation on the part of all concerned in the affairs of the American Legion. Very respectfully submitted.

ROBERT A. ADAMS, National Judge Advocate.