election of a member from that district. It shall have further authority to fill any vacancy among the officers of the Department not otherwise provided for.'"

Chairman: "I am familiar with this article and section, and I would regard it as a duty to ratify and confirm the vote of the Convention so that there would be no question as to the constitutionality of the election."

Delegate Thomas J. Moran, Brookline: "May I ask the Chair for a ruling on whether or not there is a vacancy for the offices of Second and Third Vice-Commander?"

Chairman: "Upon the question of making Mr. A. Piatt Andrew first Vice-Commander, and its constitutionality, I would say that as it is the expression of this Convention, it will unquestionably be ratified by the Executive Committee. If there is no objection I will declare that you have filled the vacancy of First Vice-Commander by the election of Mr. A. Piatt Andrew of Worcester."

Delegate: "Can a man hold two offices at the same time?"

Chairman: "As Mr. Andrew is absent, I will say for him that he accepts."

Delegate: "I move that Mr. Francis P. Madden of Revere be promoted from Third Vice-Commander to Second Vice-Commander." Motion carried.

Chairman: "This has been a very interesting discussion. It will be memorable in the history of this Department. It will be memorable in that we have had with us, for the first time, the National Commander of The American Legion, and I am sure that we are proud to have had him with us, particularly at this time of our Convention. He has stayed to watch us in our deliberations, and has learned something of the way in which we accomplish things in this Department, and the way in which all our members try to wisely, sanely and truly arrive at the best judgment of the Legion. I am very happy that he has been with us, and am confident that we all want him at the head of our organization, and I am sure that every member of the Legion in this State will promise him our very best support. Now, due to a prior engagement, he has to leave us. I will name Mr. John H. Drew and Mr. John J. Murphy to escort the National Commander from the hall, as he must unfortunately now depart. I am sure he has our very best wishes, and that every member of this Department will promise his best in the days of sorrow which he, as

the head of this organization, must undergo in the carrying out of the great work ahead of him. [Applause and cheering as the National Commander leaves the hall.]

"It is now getting late in the afternoon, and we will go on with our deliberations."

Delegate Jones, Swampscott (who has been clamoring for floor): "I just wanted to clear up the matter of a vote. It has been passed and forgotten, and I just want to say that I withdraw my motion. doubting the vote." [Applause.]

Delegate Judson Hannigan: "I rise to reiterate my nomination of Paul J. Norton for the office of Third Vice-Commander. He is an old soldier, not a regular, but an old soldier, and one whom we all have the greatest respect for. He is an able man, a splendid friend to have, and an influential member of the Legion."

Delegate Kenneth C. McDonald, Jr.: “I rise to place in nomination the name of John C. Granfield of Pittsfield, P-i-t-t-s-f-i-e-l-d."

Delegate Nelson B. Clark, Malden: "I rise to second the nomination of Mr. Granfield of Pittsfield. We have been very liberal to the eastern section of the State in the matter of Department officers and I hope that the western section will be represented in our officers." Delegate Charles M. Boyle, Peabody: "I wish to withdraw the name of William P. Connery for the office of Third Vice-Commander." Delegate Harry C. Martin, Longmeadow: "I desire to second the nomination of Mr. Norton of Springfield. I am very glad to see the stand that the eastern part of the State has taken on this matter, and that it comes voluntarily. I want to say that Mr. Norton would be a very acceptable officer from the western part of the State. He is known to all Legionnaires, as he was the father of the Legion there. I hope that the Convention will confer this honor upon the western part of the State."

Delegate Conry, New Bedford: "It seems to me that the purpose of this Convention is to elect a man who has the executive ability to fill this office. You have on your Committee on Constitution a man of very wide experience, a man who has been very much interested in the welfare of the Legion in this State. We feel that there is another part of the State besides the western part, and that is the southeastern part. I wish to place in nomination for the office of Third ViceCommander the name of Richard P. Borden of Fall River."

Delegate Francis X. Coyne, Francis G. Kane Post, Dorchester: "I wish to withdraw the name of Frederick Craven for this office."

Delegate: "I make a motion that the nominations be closed."

Motion carried.

The vote for Third Vice-Commander, by districts, was as follows:

Chairman: "You have elected Paul J. Norton of Springfield as your Third Vice-Commander." [Applause.]

Delegate Frederick T. Doyle, Roxbury: "I hope that the delegates will not leave until they have expressed their opinions on the resolutions, particularly the Homestead Bill, and one or two others of importance."

Delegate Sawyer, Fitchburg: "I am ready to present the name of the committeeman from Worcester County."

Chairman: "Very well, Mr. Sawyer."

Delegate Sawyer: "Mr. Thomas F. Foley of Worcester is a unanimous choice." [Applause.]

Wm. G. Simkins of Malden, Chairman of the Resolutions Committee: "Your Committee on Resolutions reports favorably on the following:

Whereas, The American Legion is deeply interested in the vocational rehabilitation of our wounded and disabled comrades; and

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Whereas, The National Body has gone on record as favoring the extension of opportunities for vocational training to those injured in industry; and

Whereas, Suitable opportunities do not exist in the Commonwealth for the training of disabled persons; be it

Resolved, That the Department of Massachusetts of The American Legion approves and endorses the principles of Massachusetts House Bill No. 838 and instructs the Legislative Committee to urge the passage of this or some similar act.

This resolution was unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That Army Nurses and Yeomen (F) be entitled to the same civil service preferment as other Massachusetts veterans.

Delegate Charles M. Boyle, Peabody: "I would like to inquire when this bill went in."

Delegate M. W. Murray, Vice-Chairman, Department Legislative Committee: "It was filed on the last afternoon."

This resolution was adopted.

Whereas, Chapter 283, section 2, Acts of 1919, Massachusetts Legislature, relative to the payment of one hundred dollars to persons in the military or naval service of the United States during the war with Germany, declares that any one who was discharged from service or relieved from active duty, and not recalled to the colors prior to Jan. 15, 1918, shall be entitled to no benefits that accrue under this act because of such service; and

Whereas, This act discriminates against those who served between the President's first call to active duty and Jan. 15, 1918, and who were discharged honorably prior to Jan. 15, 1918, and thereby deprived of equitable recognition; be it

Resolved, That the Massachusetts Department of The American Legion go on record as favoring the payment of the one hundred dollars bonus to all Massachusetts residents honorably discharged from the military and naval forces of the United States, who served at any time between April 6, 1917, and Nov. 11, 1918; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the representatives of the people in the Legislature and to the press.

Delegate Peter C. Borre, Roxbury: "I move that this be amended so that it will include any man who has been discharged from the United States service, especially with a discharge indicating physical disability not incurred in line of duty. The Federal government gives to a man who comes back with disability not incurred in line of service but aggravated from his service the benefits of the Vocational Training Act, and I think this should be applied to all men with a discharge from the United States service."

Delegate John H. Sherburne, Brookline: "Does this include the men who claimed exemption?"

Chairman, Resolutions Committee: "I believe this was intended

for some men who were not kept in the Federal service because of some disability."

Chairman: "I should say that this was meant for the dependents of those who did not claim exemption but who were not kept because of a disability."

Delegate Sherburne: "While I believe personally that it is right in intention, it is a little too broad. It is too late to redraft it, and I suggest that it be referred to the Legislative Committee to draw up a resolution which would be fair; otherwise we will be further putting our State into debt to pay money to some men whom we do not want paid."

This resolution was referred to the Legislative Committee.

Whereas, It appears that the provision of the National Constitution relative to the requirement for membership of the Women's Auxiliaries, said requirement limiting membership to blood relatives of service men and women, tends to work an injustice to the many loyal women who had enjoyed membership in local Post auxiliaries before the adoption of the National Constitution; and

Whereas, Many such women are now declared ineligible for membership in the Women's Auxiliaries because of the aforesaid requirement, notwithstanding the fact that they had rendered effective service to our common country during the World War, and to the local Posts of the American Legion since their organization; therefore be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that all women who enjoyed membership in any of the auxiliaries affiliated with the individual Posts before the date of the adoption of the National Constitution be eligible for membership in the Women's Auxiliaries, notwithstanding the provisions relative to blood relationship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department Adjutant express to the National officers, considering the question of Women's Auxiliaries, the sentiments herein expressed.

Delegate John W. Reth, Roslindale: "As this resolution is in conflict with the National Constitution, I move that it be laid upon the table."

Delegate John J. Murphy, South Boston: "I am sorry to take up the time of the Convention, but this is a question that was brought up here as to whether this resolution is in conflict with the National Constitution, or whether the National officers are now making efforts to frame that particular feature. I would like to ask now, as a point of order, if that resolution is actually in conflict with the National Constitution."

Chairman: "Of course it is in conflict with the National Constitu