His Excellency, Governor Calvin Coolidge of Massachusetts, signing the bill providing permanent Headquarters for the Department of Massachusetts. The American Legion, in the State House. Photo shows the Chief Executive seated at his desk about to place his signature to the bill, and grouped about him, from left to right, the following officers of the Department of Massachusetts. The American Legion: Judge Edward L. Logan, Department Commander; Frank S. Perkins, Department Treasurer; State Chaplain, Rev. M. J. O'Connor; Leo A. Spillane. Department Adjutant; A. Piatt Andrew, Second Vice-Commander; Eben Putnam, Department Historian; George E. Wilson, Department Organizer; and Ex-Lieutenant Governor Louis A. Frothingham, Senior Vice-Commander.

and 25 cents transmitted by the State to the National Organization. The National Convention during the summer established an excellent periodical which was planned to be and is the organ of the Legion. As a result of the publication of this magazine, a tremendous deficit rested upon The Legion at the time of the National Convention, and it was proposed that an assessment of $1 per year per man be made on the entire membership, which would be regarded as including not only the contribution of the individual to the National Organization, but his support of "The American Legion Weekly" and his yearly subscription for that magazine.

This proposition was discussed in the preliminary meetings which were held at Minneapolis before the delegates arrived. The information which had been secured was transmitted to our delegates, and because of the burden which it was believed would rest upon Massachusetts, requiring a contribution greater than that of any other State, it was the unanimous vote of the Massachusetts delegates that the assessment of $1 for national dues and subscription for the magazine be opposed. This was done, but the Convention disregarded the expressed and unanimous wish of Massachusetts, and by a slender majority adopted the minority report as amended, the result of which requires now the payment of a sum of approximately $78,000 on Jan. 1, 1920.

Whether Massachusetts was right in its contention has passed beyond the day of discussion. We are a part of The American Legion, are proud of our membership in it, anxious for our future participation in the organization, and proud of our organization and its accomplishments. Whether we wish it or no, the amount due from Massachusetts must and should be paid, and every effort made by every member of this organization to support the national officers in their efforts to make The American Legion bigger and better for us and for the country.

I urge, as strongly as it is possible for me to urge, immediate action upon the part of the Posts in compliance with these directions, and I suggest that wherever the financial condition of a Post is such that it is possible now to forward the total sum due, that amount and the names of the members be at once forwarded to the National Organization.

CO-ORDINATION.

The Executive Committee is anxious at all times to transmit to the Posts all the information affecting the Legion which comes into its possession, and it is hoped that the officers of the local organizations will in their turn transmit as faithfully this information to the members of their units; for we are anxious not only for a large membership, but we are anxious for a membership which fully and completely understands the purposes for which we are together.

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

There are now many of our comrades enrolled in other patriotic organizations competing with us only in the intensity and fervor of their interest in their comrades and their love for American institutions.

We urge upon them their enrollment in our organization, also confident that they will find in The American Legion an added opportunity for service and usefulness to their comrades and to their country.

It must be apparent to every one of you that the work of the Legion of this year is one which must be devoted primarily to organization. I do not mean by that that the things which vitally affect the interest of the organization or of those who served in the war should be forgotten, but the primary duty rests upon all of us together to strengthen and to increase the membership of the different Posts that make up the organization in this State. This can only be done by the organized co-operation of all who compose the Department of Massachusetts, The American Legion.

Imbued with that spirit, we face the new year with confidence and high hopes of ultimate and great success.

Delegate Jones, Swampscott: "I move that the address of the Commander be referred to the Executive Committee for the purpose of carrying out any suggestions in it, and that the same be included in the records of this meeting and distributed to the press."

Motion seconded and carried.

Chairman: "The next business before the Convention is the appointment of committees. Are the districts ready to give the names of their nominees? I want to call the attention of the Convention to the fact that some action must be taken on turning in railroad certificates. They must be turned in at the latest by the noon recess.

"The committees to which appointments are to be made are: Credentials, Constitution and By-Laws and Resolutions; so you will report the names of three men as a representative on each of the three committees.

"I want to state that when we do adjourn the Convention will adjourn at a certain time in the afternoon, and will reassemble promptly at the hour named. We have two interesting and instructive speakers, and we have some business in addition to transact, as well as the adoption of the Constitution. I hope the Convention will reassemble promptly."

Mr. Judson Hannigan, Beverly: "Will you please state again the names of the committees to be named?"

Chairman: "The three committees to be named are: Credentials, Constitution and By-Laws, and Resolutions."

Mr. Hannigan: "Do you wish to drop the Committee on Contests?" Chairman: "Since there are no contests, we will need no committee."

Mr. Thomas D. Lavelle, All-Dorchester Post: "Would it be possible to have the Committee on Resolutions consist of a larger number? My idea is to have this committee based on the same representation

we had at Worcester, so that it would be a committee of twentyfour instead of nine."

Chairman: "It is possible for the Convention to do anything it wishes."

Mr. Lavelle: "I make a motion that the Resolutions Committee be composed of the same number of members as at Worcester, chosen from the districts on the same basis of representation as there." Motion seconded.

Mr. William H. Root, Wilbur M. Comeau Post 4, Haverhill: "I am absolutely opposed to this. We decided to go along the lines that we would have our nine districts. That brings things right back to the plan of having each district represented by one man, and I hope you will give it careful consideration, and keep it on that basis." [Much applause for Root.]

Mr. Lavelle: "The members of my Post are desirous of having the committee consist of exactly the same number as it was at WorcesI thoroughly agree with the comrade from Haverhill as to the method of representation, and the purpose of my motion was that selection be made from the districts the same as at Worcester, which was determined by us."

This motion was lost when put to vote of the Convention.

Department Adjutant Leo A. Spillane: "If the district chairmen will come forward to the platform, I will give them a list of Posts in their districts."

Chairman: "Are the districts ready to report?"

Motion made to recess until 2.30 P.M.

Chairman Logan: "I would like to have all the committees that have been appointed, when the Convention adjourns, remain here for organization, and I would like the old Committee on Constitution to remain also to arrange a meeting with the new Committee on Constitution."

Motion for recess carried.

Chairman Logan: "In my opening address, I tried to assure the Convention that a rare pleasure was in store for us. At the meeting of the State Commanders of the different departments at Washington, Dec. 5, 1919, we were there as guests of the Director of the War Risk Insurance Bureau. It was one of the best meetings I have ever attended of any organization I ever belonged to, and the results were productive of more good than any similar movement ever held.