In Memoriam

NOL. HENRY DICKINSON LINDSLEY, past national commander and

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distinguished leader of the American Legion, peacefully passed from this life at his home at Dallas, Tex., November 18, 1938. With his passing finis was written to a notable career of more than 40 years in active and public life as a public official and administrator, financier, in general business, as an army officer, and as a leader in public affairs. His business interests were widespread and were distributed over a number of States. As an inveterate world-traveler, he enjoyed a circle of friends worldwide in scope. Many there are who sincerely mourn the death of this distinguished leader, great American, and steadfast friend.

Colonel Lindsley once described himself as a Tennesseean by birth and a Texan by adoption; to which his one-time biographer added "a citizen of the world by inclination and force of habit." . He was born at Nashville February 29, 1872, and received his education in private schools. He began his business career at Dallas, Tex., where he was admitted to the bar in 1893, but soon afterward entered the field of banking and real estate. Elected Mayor of Dallas in 1915, he resigned in 1917 and joined the A. E. F. in December 1917, serving with the rank of colonel and being in charge of Government insurance overseas. In December 1918 he returned to the United States to become Director of the Bureau of War Risk Insurance. After his return to private life he became president of Henry D. Lindsley & Co., investment bankers, with the home office in New York City.

When the delegates from all the States in the Union, representing the combat forces at home and abroad, came together at St. Louis May 8, 1919, with the idea of perfecting the organization of a society of veterans of the World War which had been begun in Paris in March under the tentative name of the American Legion, Col. Henry Lindsley was a delegate from Texas and became its permanent chairman. Nothing is truer than the words he wrote just before the Minneapolis Convention in 1919: "There is no power that can destroy the American Legion except the American Legion itself. Its usefulness cannot be diminished except through its own acts."

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In Memoriam

ALPH THOMAS O'NEIL, Sixteenth national commander of the American Legion (1930-31) is gone. His death occurred at Wichita, Kans., Saturday evening, May 25, 1940, to which place he had gone from his home at Topeka to attend a meeting of the Kansas Bar Association and where, during the day immediately preceding his death, he had completed his official duties and had turned the office over to the new president.

When a biographical sketch was written soon after Legionnaire O'Neil was chosen to lead the Legion, the writer said that but few people would know Ralph Thomas O'Neil, but that everybody in Kansas knew "Dyke" O'Neil-and it was as "Dyke" he was known to the Legion; beloved for his many fine personal qualities, honored, respected, and admired for his splendid leadership and administrative abilities. Sadly will he be missed in the high councils of the national organization and by thousands of persons who were proud to call him a personal friend.

Past National Commander O'Neil was a native Kansan, born at Osage August 8, 1888, and, except in fulfilling military and official duties, his entire life was spent in that State. He was a graduate of Baker University, where he attracted considerable attention as an athlete. Upon graduation he coached at Clay Center High School 1 year before entering Harvard Law School, from which he was graduated in 1913. Entering upon private law practice at Osage City in 1913, he was elected Osage County attorney and served in that office from 1914 until 1917, when his entry into the armed forces for World War service interrupted his civil duties. His military service earned new honors; his service was as a first lieutenant and captain of the Eleventh Infantry, Fifth Division. His gallantry in action in the Meuse-Argonne offensive was notable and outstanding and he was officially cited in divisional orders for establishing and maintaining communications with attacking units by carrying forward the telephone wire under heavy machine-gun fire. He held the American Silver Star, and decorations from France and Italy.

Upon his return to civil life in the summer of 1919, Captain O'Neil resumed the practice of law at Topeka. He was successful in his practice and in his several corporation connections but withall found time to render useful public service to his community and State. It was to the Legion, however, that he gave his time and whole-souled devotion.

From the ranks, he stepped into leadership in Capitol Post in Topeka, serving as its commander and in many other positions. He was elected department commander of Kansas in 1925, and in 1927, at the national convention held in Paris, France, he was elevated to national vice commander. His election as sixteenth national commander of the American Legion followed at the national convention held in Boston in 1930, and in that position his administration of the Legion's affairs was marked by an increase of membership to more than 1,000,000-the high tide of enrolled members not exceeded to date of his death. At the same time he directed a campaign for legislation in Congress to provide more adequate hospital facilities for disabled veterans.

He was married to Miss Margaret Heizer, sister of an Osage City friend and playmate who was killed in action in France August 15, 1918, who, with two sons, Robert Heizer and Ralph Thomas, Jr., survive him.

PROCEEDINGS

[Reports of committees are incorporated in chronological order]

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1940

The Twenty-second Annual National Convention of the American Legion convened in the New Boston Arena, in Boston, Mass., at 10:10 a. m. on the morning of September 23, 1940, National Commander Raymond J. Kelly presiding.

Ön a motion from the floor, the reading of the minutes of the previous convention was suspended.

The following invocation was given by National Chaplain Patrick M. McDermott, of Iowa, after the twenty-second national convention of the American Legion was called to order:

Let us pray:

Our Father who are in heaven, graciously look down upon us, gathered together in the external honor and glory of Thy Holy Name, and for the welfare of our beloved Nation-for to Thee and our country we are irrevocably dedicated.

Thou hast raised up the organization of the American Legion in the holy cause of service-service to Thee and to our country, and especially, service to our disabled comrades and to the widows and orphans of our deceased comrades. May the sick rest easy on their beds of pain and may the dead enjoy the fullness of eternal glory. Ours is a service filled with works of patriotism, love, and mercy, pleasing in Thy divine sight, therefore calling down upon us individually and our organization innumerable blessings. For all these blessings we are heartfully grateful. And now we beseech Thy further blessing upon the deliberations of this convention that they may promote the world's greatest need-the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, that they may aid our country in these troublous days, and further the aims, purposes, and ideals of our organization as laid down in the preamble to our Constitution. May the spirit of wisdom, light, and grace illumine our minds, and direct our wills to the end that Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We ask humbly, yet confidently, in Thy name.

Miss Lucille Manners, official soloist of the convention, rendered the Star-Spangled Banner while the convention stood at attention, after National Commander Kelly had the colors advanced.

The following addresses of welcome were presented:

ADDRESS OF HON. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL

Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, Governor of Massachusetts, addressed the convention as follows:

Commander Kelly, distinguished guests, and fellow comrades of the Legion, when I had the pleasure of addressing my comrades at the convention in Chicago last fall, it was my privilege to invite you here for this gathering. "I want our next sessions of the Legion on American soil," I said. "I hope it will be in Massachusetts-at any event-not at the grim west wall in Europe."

We are not at the west wall. We meet on American soil. And you have come to Massachusetts !

As a local legionnaire, I am mighty proud to be in a position to extend the official welcome of the Commonwealth. After 10 years Massachusetts opens its arms to you again. I hope that you have the best of all reunions.

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At the same time, I know that you are stirred by the terrible events which have shaken the world and are alert to meet the challenge of the uncertain days ahead. You come here in the spirit of our convention slogan this year: "Paul Revere rides again."

You come determined to keep the heritage of liberty, which the minutemen and our own comrades have bequeathed us.

Our resolution grows stronger as we stop to think how fortunate we are to be able to take part in a gathering like this. What a contrast to the scenes of terror and devastation in which millions of people in foreign lands are suffering today.

We are united in our vow that this shall never happen here. The Legion, more than any other organization in America, realizes the dangers surrounding our national existence and future security. With the whole Nation we have declared for military preparedness. We are embarked on a vast program of physical defense. That program will call on the loyalty of our workers, the patriotism of our manufacturers, the spirit of sacrifice and determination of all our people. Not one of us, no matter where we live or what we do for a living, will remain untouched by the great national program which is now beginning to take form.

But as we swing into action on the physical front, we should permit no weakness in our ranks on the moral side. We must join together in unremitting effort to preserve our democratic way of life. For that purpose, knowledge of what our country stands for is our greatest strength. The Legion has served notably in making our American creed a household word. We must declare it over and over again.

We stand for the idea that all men are created equal in the eyes of God and their fellow men. We stand for the idea that man is free to worship the Lord as he sees fit. We stand for the idea that freedom of expression is indispensable. We stand for the idea that there is no hierarchy among nations and that all men, everywhere, are entitled to the same rights and privileges. Every man, woman, and child in these United States must feel the confidence that comes of understanding; and must know the unity that springs from belief in these eternal truths.

As Governor I am particularly gratified that Massachusetts is playing host to the Legion this year. This tremendous spectacle imparts to all who witness it a sense of security and an inspiration to better citizenship which cannot be measured. By our deliberations and by our ceremonies this week may we all be further inspired to meet any test which faces us, ready for defense, yet always insistent to preserve the home life and the spiritual faith for which the Legion has stood since we banded together 22 years ago.

Comrades of the Legion, here in Massachusetts, rich in reminders of our early struggles for freedom, we gain at this convention renewed faith and courage to maintain the Legion doctrine "Right must always be master over might." If we live up to that precept, then truly may we say that "Paul Revere rides again."

ADDRESS BY MAYOR MAURICE TOBIN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BOSTON

Governor Saltonstall, Commander Kelly, distinguished guests, Boston, the mother city of this great Nation, greets the American Legion, its Auxiliary, its sons and daughters, its relatives, and its friends. For the next 5 days this city-the city of song, story, and legend; the city of liberty, freedom, and justice; the city of dignity, tradition, and history-opens its gates, its heart, and its arms to you—the men and women of the American Legion-the pride, the joy, yes, the very backbone of the United States of America.

Ten years ago you came to our city. You won our hearts. We wanted you back again. Up to that time, it was the greatest, most colorful, convention ever held in our city. This convention, held in the year 1940-held at a time when the world we knew 10 years ago has taken on a startling change of face, will be, in my opinion, even greater than that of 10 years ago, even more colorful than that of 10 years ago, and certainly far more significant than that convention of 10 years ago.

As mayor of Boston, where first was heard the raised voice against the rule of tyranny-where first was shed the blood that crimsoned the dawn of a new nation-where first were heard the bells that tolled the death of one form of government and signaled the beginning of a new government-as mayor of this grand old city, I extend to you my thanks and that of all our citizens that you have come back to us at a time when current events of great and lasting historical importance are occurring in this and other parts of the world.