those present should be regarded as the Temporary Department of Massachusetts, and that they should act as such, and choose executive officers. Colonel Herbert and Mr. Gilbody considered this request as virtually a resignation of their offices, but the meeting not only expressed its confidence in those who had been active up to that time, but proceeded to re-elect Herbert and Gilbody to the positions of chairman and secretary respectively. A State Executive Committee was also chosen, consisting of John W. Farley, chairman, Louis A. Frothingham, James T. Duane, William J. Howard, Henry H. Wheelock, Frederick T. Doyle, George C. Cutler, Jr., Thomas J. Marley, William H. Root, Frank J. Donavan and Thomas J. Hammond, with Chairman John F. J. Herbert and Secretary George F. Gilbody as members ex officio.

This Committee chose as a Working Committee Messrs. Cutler, Marley and Nelson B. Clark, with power to add to its membership. Mr. George von L. Meyer was chosen treasurer. Mr. Gilbody, who found his ordinary duties would not permit his continuing to act as secretary, recommended that Leo A. Spillane be appointed in his place, which at a subsequent meeting was accomplished.1

The Working Committee, of which Thomas J. Marley was secretary, enlarged its membership by the election of Edward L. Logan, Gasper G. Bacon, Robert Homans and Robert Cutler. The latter succeeded George C. Cutler, Jr., as chairman, Aug. 18, 1919, and in place of Mr. Marley, resigned as secretary, Mr. Spillane was chosen. A Speakers' Bureau was organized under direction of Harold D. Wilson. By the 18th of August 172 Posts had been chartered.

The Worcester Convention, Oct. 15 and 16, 1919, was attended by delegates from 228 Posts. A temporary Constitution was adopted in conformity with the temporary Constitution accepted at St. Louis, and officers elected. The newly elected Executive Committee held regular meetings, first at the old quarters at 84 State Street, and later at the City Club, until quarters were provided at the State House. It at once took over the duties which had hitherto been performed by the Working Committee, which went out of existence with the adoption of the Constitution at Worcester.

At the Worcester Convention delegates were chosen to attend the first National Convention of the Legion at Minneapolis in November,

1 Mr. Spillane actually served as secretary from June 11, 1919, until the Worcester Convention, when he was chosen Adjutant.

at which there were present regularly elected delegates from the State organizations formed in accordance with the provisions of the temporary Constitution adopted at St. Louis. The action of the Convention at Minneapolis made it necessary to hold a Constitutional Convention of the Massachusetts branch to revise its Constitution, that it might be in perfect harmony with that of the National body. This was held Jan. 3 and 31, 1920, at Boston. The addresses of the State Commander, Edward L. Logan, have been printed, and give in detail the history of the State branch under his administration. The reports of the State Adjutant will be found to supply specific details.

The energetic manner in which the organization and business of the Legion in Massachusetts has been carried on has been surpassed by no other Department. Through committees which have made their reports directly to the Department Commander, and which have been summarized in his report made to the Second Annual Convention at Springfield, 1920, most valuable work has been accomplished. Most of the committees are still in existence, and it does not fall within the province of the Department Historian to enter into the details of their work. Especial attention is directed to the reports of the Americanism and Legislative Committees as sources for the history of the Massachusetts Department.

Americanization is a broad term. The American Legion is doing grand work all along the line in that direction. This work is done not only by all Departments but by the National Organization. Every Post should perform its part. It is not only that newly arrived immigrants should be taught some of the fundamental points of American life and institutions, but that aliens already with us should be brought to realize the true meaning and intent of the institutions under which they are now living, and which give them protection. Nor should the work stop here. Every member of the Legion, especially those who have had the opportunity denied to those of more recent citizenship, should make it his duty to study as far as he is able the history of his country, its institutions, and the lives of its great men. Herein lies a field of work for the local Posts, for if men who have offered their lives to their country fail to understand what their flag really stands for, how can they exert that influence expected of them upon others?

No man understanding what America stands for can ever join in

any attempt to pull down any of its institutions, nor proceed in other than an orderly way to effect changes, should these become necessary.

Effort has been made to secure from each Post in the Department a brief history of the Post. Every Post should see to it that something is done to preserve the record of the early days of the organization. This can only be done now. Every Post should also aim to obtain from its members a statement of their service and experiences in the war. The personal statement is important. It is true that there exists in the National Archives, in the War Department, what should be complete and accurate statements of each man's service. How accurate and how complete these records are posterity may learn. State records are not complete. The Adjutant-General's Department is endeavoring to obtain the service records of Massachusetts men in the war, taken from official records.1 Neither the National nor State records can be expected to be complete or entirely accurate, judging from service records of former wars. The veteran of the World War will be wise who sees to it now that his complete and correct service record is filed with his Post archives, and, so far as possible, with town or city archives. This latter opportunity is afforded by the Act of 1919, providing that every town and city clerk shall record copies of every discharge from Army, Navy or the Marine Corps which is presented to them for that purpose.

Because of the incomplete returns made by Post Historians it is considered inadvisable to mention the special activities of Posts in the Department. It is known, however, that all Posts contributed toward the proper observance of February 22, Memorial Day and Armistice Day, each according to the spirit of the day.

In closing this report the hope is expressed that future Department Historians will endeavor to obtain for the files of the Department yearly reports from Post historians, covering the history of the Post during the year or from its commencement; whatever may have been done by municipalities or other bodies in the way of erecting memorials to the men who served in the war; publications by members of the Post relating to the war; and proceedings of the Post on Memorial Day. It is also recommended that there be preserved in the files of the Department records of service of every Department officer. The Department should also seek to acquire by gift or otherwise all

1 Since the above was written, the Adjutant General of the Army has furnished abstracts of the service record of enlisted men of each State to the State Adjutant-Generals. These abstracts are liable to error, chiefly in residence and figures.

publications devoted to the history of organizations in which Massachusetts men served. This is especially true of such units as were principally composed of Massachusetts men, or which were organized in the State. It is suggested that until there shall be a building devoted solely to the uses of the Legion, books relating to the war may be deposited with the recently organized Y. D. Club, where a library is being formed, and to which club so many of the Legion members in Massachusetts are eligible.

Appended to this brief sketch of The American Legion in Massachusetts I have selected from the Department Archives certain records of proceedings and other documents illustrative of the beginnings of the Department. Also a catalogue of histories of organizations which have come to my notice, together with a more comprehensive catalogue of publications of like nature available in the State Library, which was graciously prepared under the direction of Mr. Redstone, State Librarian.

Respectfully submitted,

SEPTEMBER, 1920.

EBEN PUTNAM,

Department Historian.

APPENDIX.

DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ORGANIZATION.

NEW YORK, April 9, 1919.

Maj. J. W. FARLEY, 84 State Street, Boston, Mass.

Most important that a temporary State committee be announced in leading newspapers throughout State, with name and address of temporary secretary. Please form and name committee. Call issued to-day, so follow up to-morrow. Also announce Convention system will be used in selecting delegates St. Louis Caucus, allowing twice Congressional quota each State. Following names used on call for your consideration: Lieut.-Col. Louis Frothingham, Brig.-Gen. Charles H. Cole, Boston; Sergts. George Gilbody and Edward J. Creed, 101st Infantry; Ernest H. Eastman, 104th Infantry; and David J. Nolan, 52d Infantry.

BULLETIN No. 1.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
Temporary Chairman.

HEADQUARTERS, TEMPORARY COMMITTEE, AMERICAN LEGION,
19 WEST 44TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY, April 10, 1919.

GENERAL.

The object of the St. Louis Convention is the formation of an organization to consist of all those who have been in the military and naval service of the United States during the present war. It will be absolutely non-partisan. In it the opportunities and influence of all ranks will be equal, whether enlisted or commissioned.

The Temporary Committee issuing the call has for its sole purpose the gathering of a representative caucus. On the meeting of the Caucus the Temporary Committee will cease its functions as an official body. It considers itself purely as a body of trustees, whose trusteeship will conclude, when a representative gathering has been brought together at St. Louis, to determine for themselves along what lines The American Legion shall develop.

ENLISTED MEN.

Enlisted men should be elected in each State in the proportion of 60 per cent of the total number of delegates.

THE CALL.

The call already issued by representatives from every State in the Union carefully defines the following basic principles: