Constitution for the different Posts should be obligatory upon the various subdivisions of the State organization. The matter has been prepared with considerable thought and with considerable effort on the part of those composing the Committee on Constitution, and will be submitted by the Executive Committee to the different Posts of the State for their consideration and adoption, if its adoption seems advisable to them.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.

A Legislative Committee was also appointed, to whom was referred from time to time various matters of legislation affecting the welfare of the organization or of its individual members, and they have been asked in addition to initiate such other legislation as may seem necessary for the welfare of those who compose The American Legion in this State, and to further assist at such hearing as may be held before the different legislative committees of our cities and our State for the procurement and enactment of the legislation desired. This committee has proceeded upon its work with great enthusiasm, and I am confident that, when the year 1920 shall have come to a close, they will have conferred a great benefit upon the members of this organization by the interest which they have shown in the legislative work affecting the Legion.

WORKING COMMITTEE.

The temporary organization which laid the foundation of the Department of Massachusetts, The American Legion had not only an Executive Committee to whom was given the final responsibility on action affecting the Legion as well as conducting the affairs of the organization, but it found that by reason of the fact that the membership of the Executive Committee was composed of men from all over the State many questions were arising from time to time upon which immediate action was demanded. The entire personnel of the Executive Committee could not be mustered quickly, and it was considered advisable to appoint a Working Committee for the handling of such questions. The experience of the past was our guide, and with the approval of the Executive Committee a Working Committee was appointed whose membership comprised largely men residing near the State Headquarters, to whom has been referred from time to time matters of special interest to the organization demanding immediate attention. This committee has been of tremendous help to the Executive Committee in the handling of the affairs of the organization, and by reason of the fact that it became apparent that men outside of Boston were anxious for an opportunity to work upon this committee, as well as on all the other committees, it was my pleasure, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, to add to all the committees representation from all the districts of the State.

AMERICANISM COMMITTEE.

The Legion was founded with spontaneous belief on the part of those who organized it that three things should be done: first, the perpetuation of the memories of those who had died in the service; second, the making of an effort on the part of those who survived to assist in a helpful and rehabilitating nature those who had been wounded in the war; and third, to keep alive and strengthen the intense feeling

of patriotism which actuated all of those who served the government in its military and naval service during the war. The early Conventions, particularly that in St. Louis, breathed the spirit of an intense Americanism, and it was to strengthen, if possible, the lessons which we had learned, and to add to the strength of the institutions that we love, that The American Legion declared itself so strongly, so forcibly and so clearly upon an Americanism one hundred per cent loyal.

Insidious propaganda coming from across the water was attacking our institutions and the principles upon which they rest. To combat this tendency and to educate the misguided, a committee was appointed by the National Organization upon Americanization. Prior even to the appointment of this committee by the National Organization, your Executive Committee had authorized in this State the appointment of a committee to carry out in substance the principles of Americanism which the Legion had proclaimed. This committee has begun its efforts. It is now functioning under and with the national committee, and we are confident that with the spirit, activity and enthusiasm which have been indicated at early meetings, great progress will be shown along the line laid down by the National Organization.

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE.

Another committee of the organization to which I desire to refer is the Committee on Athletics, which has just been organized and which is taking a very active and a very energetic interest in the promotion of athletics among the various Posts. It is planned to hold, under the auspices of the Legion and through the management of the Athletic Committee, an athletic "meet" in Boston on the afternoon of February 23 of this year, and it is hoped to gather together members of our organization of national reputation, and to have competitive contests between the various posts of the State which will test along some lines the athletic ability of which there is such abundance in our organization. I urge your co-operation and interest in the work of this committee, and I am sure that in the days to come a very widespread participation in the suggestions of this committee will be tremendously helpful for the physical manhood of the organization.

EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE.

One of the most important projects which ever has been undertaken by your Executive Committee is the taking over of the Employment Bureau for Returned Soldiers and Sailors, which has been so successfully conducted by the Board of Managers representing the different patriotic, philanthropic and welfare organizations of our State.

This Bureau has done excellent work for the returned soldiers, sailors and marines, and has provided profitable employment for a tremendous number of our comrades. The Board of Management having decided that the time for their further activity in this line had terminated, it was decided, after a conference with them and with their heartiest approval, that The American Legion shall take over this work. Our efforts to procure employment will not be limited to the membership of the organization. It will be devoted, as the purpose of the whole Legion is devoted, to the welfare of all those who participated in the war. It looks forward to a year of great helpfulness to the returned soldiers, sailors and marines, and it asks the continued

co-operation of the employers of the Commonwealth for a further interest in its activities. We are promised the assistance of those, at least during the early period of our management, who so wisely administered the affairs of this Bureau, and it is planned to ask the assistance of the Commonwealth for an appropriation for the further continuance of this work.

It is the belief of the Executive Committee that this is one of the practical ways in which the Legion may be tremendously helpful to those who served in the war, and an organized effort will be made to interest the different Posts of the Legion to facilitate and assist the work of this Employment Bureau in every possible way.

WOMEN'S AUXILIARIES.

By vote of the Minneapolis Convention, women's auxiliaries were authorized in connection with the different Posts of the organization, and their membership was limited to those who were related either as mothers, wives, sisters or daughters of members of The American Legion and of those who had died in the war. Whether this limitation was wise is not before us now to determine. It is the rule governing the organization for the year to come. While it is apparent that the organization is now substantial in size and well organized, nevertheless we are anxious for the encouragement and support of those who bore uncomplainingly the burdens of the war, and to whose generosity and kindness we shall forever be indebted.

I therefore strongly urge upon the Posts the organization of women's auxiliaries, and appeal for a co-operation and interest between the Auxiliary and the Post, which, I am sure, will be materially helpful to the power and the influence of the organization in the Commonwealth.

NEW HEADQUARTERS.

No State has been more generous to its citizen soldiery, and no State has reason to be prouder of their accomplishments, than is the State of Massachusetts. Long before the war began Massachusetts was instrumental in securing for its citizens those things which were necessary to make it effective in a military or naval way when war should come; and during the time of our service in the war, our government and its legislative and executive branches were interested in, solicitous for and helpful to the members of its soldiery. Surely we are thankful to Massachusetts for the interest and generosity which it has shown in every way, and are determined to show our appreciation now in time of peace for its solicitous care of us in time of war. During the last session of the Legislature, by a recommendation of the Governor, there was enacted legislation providing for the headquarters of the Legion, suitable offices, suitably furnished, in our State Capitol. This is but an added expression of affection and interest for us by our State government.

FINANCES.

The real and primary purpose of this Convention was to discuss the financial situation as it affects this Department. By vote of the St. Louis Convention, membership in the organization was suggested, upon the payment of $1 per year per member, of which the sum of 25 cents was to go to the State for organization purposes,