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About The Oregon statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1916-1980 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 1949)
i:ii ii ii.-ti -vyjf :. it -; ,' - ! v." . T" " ft ri m ; ri i rr i t . i 60?DSlDll4 I i'. ht Mil iMntiH YmJ Antra oiivinitii(0)iro V II I f I f II sauDira;w Legion Hall Has - ' This "double-take" of the American establishment and grounds at the at dusk. (Statesman photos)" ' - ';-- r- '.tMt- ' A !-Vlrr,f... ... .rs - i " . - 's.t:r' r-r . , v vs . ! Latest Home of Sports French By on Dill guff Writer. The Statesman Oregon legionnaires will assenW ble Oor many of their functions during the current state conven tion $iere in one of the" most lux urious and pleasant American Le gion halls to be found in the north west' Capital post 9's hall cn South Commercial street. The huge.i rambling structure fashioned, after French type archi tecture will be the scene of many Veterans Found Salem Fine Host in Past Meets By Conrad G. Prange . j i Start Writer, the Statesman j ! The. thrills, spills and distinctive characteristics of an American Legion state convention, such as will be held here August 3 to 6, are not new to Salem. ) J ! . Many local Legionnaires and non-veterans alike recall vividly .the busy, noisy state gatherings here oi 1839 arid 1929. Legion con ventions have a flavor all their own, I ! . , Judging from, past performances here the annual sessions of the Legion seem to combine the atmosphere of a three-ring circus, busi ness convention, sightseers tour Not that all is fun and frolic - ben when they take ovtr a city once a year. Berious Purpose Underneath Underneath the carefree spirit, fun parades us "get-togethers," the official delegates cirry out the aims and pur poses of the American Legion in hard-working business sessions, j Business usually centers around the Legion's main projectsi These include welfare work, aid to disabled veterans and tneir de pendents, child welfare, care of widows Jand Orphanis ef veterans, community service, Americanism and adequate naticnal sdefense. Conventions held in Salem have been distinct' from others in that they are staged in the state capitol building. When the 11th an nual conclave was herd here in 1929, Douglas McKay, how governor, was commander of the host post. Capital , and welcomed the dele gates to" the capitol. 1 Governor Mcay will do so again Ihis year -p. only from a rathe elevated position. ; : j '. ' - Airport Dedicated in Z9 ; i Several thousand Legionnaries and their families only a -scant, decade removed fron World War 1. converged xn Salem in 1929. In addftion- to business sessions the schedule for that convention in cluded fireworks, a drum corps contest (Portland Won), visits to -places o interest, dedication of the new Salem municipal airport, an ir circus and a barbecue. ' "I ' 3aker sent a two-ton grahite'Yock . arid two1 "hard rock miners" to put on an exhibition. The convention hared headlines with the Graf Zeppelin and New York tong wars, i Ten years later, in- 1939, nearly 5,090 Lejjion members and their families brought an unforgettahle convention to Salem. Who can fotget the ''Streets 'of Paris" and the "Dugout" on South Liberty street 'that year?' j ' : '. ' "National defense" was the convention theme. The outstanding -feature watfs one of the biggest parades ever seen at a Legion convention in Oregon. About 6,000 participated, between fin non nd 75 000 sDectators saw the marchers. Nearly two hours were Tequired for the parade 1o file past the reviewing stand. Once i 1 ; n Mif morrh wot HicrtintMi K nt f it triM-ks riashinff to a firSe. t m v- -' French Cab Here in "39 I . A battered old French; taxi showed up in the 40 et 8 parade. It was re'ported to be one jof the last remaining vehicles of the historic "taxicab" army which advanced on the Mame tq repulse the Germans and save Paris. ; Brazier Small was commander of Capital post in 1939. Bert Victor was chairman of the 40 et 8 convention and B. E. (Kelly) Owens, now department commander, was parade chairman. Despite a blistering 9 degrees the ait circus, barbecue, golf and "pistol tournaments, dances and business sessions were! well attended. Salem's 1949 Edition of I ' . --. i '.--- 1 v X V v T(T VKRXCR DOCCLAS McKAJ' I -Qujire, Convention Speak Look of Large f - -. :.. Lerion hail on South Commercial street shows an serial view cf the top contrasted with the night lighting effects ef the formes restaurant " , ! Manor9 Still Boasts Good Cuisine reunions between buddies of both wars from all over the state, and the club's many facilities will pro vide relief for the legionnaires fol lowing the parades, convention meetings and special events. Let ion Post Move ; The beautiful hall was acquired by post 9 In'-March 1848. Capitol and carnival with thousands of Legion mem pranks and numer- r- - j - '! j STEPHEN F. CHAD WICK Past National . Legion . I ."Commander . 1 Estate from Air apital Post 9 Architecture post had its first meetings in the armory, then post activities were transferred to a hall over Miller s store, which since has become girt of the business. ; Meetings next were held in the Fraternal temple on Center street, now the Labor temple. The first hall owned by the post was bought in 1940 from the Unitarian churcn, located at Chemekata and North Cottage streets.. -. As USO Center i " . j . During the past war this hall wa used as USO center for er vicemen, providing many of the men stationed at Camp Adair with lounging, toilet and recreational facilities during their brief passes in Salem. c , Following the war hundreds of new veterans joining Capital post swelled the membership to such proportions that the hall- was no longer adequate and the present building was bought. The old hall was sold to the First Church of Christ. - - History of the present clubhouse dates back to 1339 when Viesko and Hannaman. contractors, built the building as a mprtoa'ry for c stock company led by Dale J. Tay lo'r who operated the mortuary for a time. Taylor was succeeded ly i nomas w. Ladd who was in Charge of the establishment until it was closed early in the 1940's. 'i The building remained unused un- i til late in the war when Michae) t Flax completely remodeled and Irebuilt sections of the building and I opened, a night spot called ti-e! less high-jinks will be lelimmat Normafidy manor. The manor was j ed, but the joint police -force has popular durip? the more lush day. a task all its own. of 1948 and 947. i jt ai(1s legionnaires in various Many Renovations i ! w?ys during the sessions. The Since that! time more than $35.-! police direct strangers regulate uuu nas Deen spent renovating ire building and converting it to Le gion use. At present there is a large main dining room which con verts Jnto a meeting hall, several smaller private dining - rooms; lounge, bar and game rooms. A complete, modern kitchen is operated daily providing some of the finest food in Salem, causing tne club to become a favorite place for legionnaires and their families to go for special events. Seven Seas Post rr s 1 6 Torm Auxiliary .PORTLAND Seven Seas Post 144. American r Legion, is busy formmg the most necessary aid to it happiness; an Auxiliary unit. Much time has: been devoted by Commander Jim Scarlett. Bill Per- rato and Larry Reid in having the post s unit in operation' by fall. ilie State Legion Convention Boasts FRANK N. BELGRANO Past National Commander; Convention Speaker , r ' w " ' i nousanas Local Bt Robert E. Ganrre City Editor. The Statesman . Oregon's 31st annual American Legion coavention is of f loi a rous ing start, with the capital city cf Salem primed for the parti of nost. Legionnaires were, registering by the Jiunjdreds as earlyas Tues day and Salem hotels arid auto courts began hanging out! no-va-;tem cancy sign. All indications point- ed to an overall attendance of many thousands for the state con - i vention which opens today nrf v..k.Uy - K-v-T-" '".itures recreational events, regis- Elurday JSK" ' 1 40 6t 8 d isaturaay nigni. ( , numerous state committee ses- Salem streets and stores are -be- ! sions. decked with wfcome signs and f ; bunting to mark the occasion ofi this city's first state Legion con- j vention in 10 years. . j Greetings Extended Greetings have been extended by Salem Mayor R. L Elfstrom, who issued a statement welcoming all Leeionnaires and laudine the local Legion posts for their hard Two 'Dugouts' Established! for Legionnaires An old standby of American Le gion conventions are the tradi tional - "dugouts" where; le?io.i- i naires can get together ajnd rai?e I their glasses in a rerhiniscent toast to the experiences they shar 1 ed through two world wars. Every battle from -Chateaii- Thierry to Iwo Jima will be re ! fousht this week and. like he smoke-filled rooms of j political ! conventions, the dugouts mav help j man campaign strategy during hjs i convention, j j Veteran leeionnaires recall the ': 'Street of Paris." as the dug- out were named at the lat con vention in Salem in 1939. j Admission to this year's dug outs will be cained by presena-. tion of the official legion rndtje cr payment 'of a 10-cent aroisiorr charpe. Although some ejntertajn ment is planned, the duwuts will function mainly to dispense re freshments to thirsty convention delegates. There will be two dujjouts this year.( one near the corner of Com mercial and Court' street, next to the Ouisenberry pharmacy, and the other acroy from te armory nerr the corner of Liberty und Ferry . streets. j : -1 Le pi foil's Of'i To Help Police At Convention I This American Legiori conven-! tion in Salem this weelt will be j well, policed. j j Although police committee ' chairmen, Jack Cutler and Frank Grimm said just prior to the con- j vention that all details for the ; committee had not been worked j out. it was known thatj a group j of legionnaires would wfork with citv police during the convention Of course, the atmosphere will not be so simon pure that harm- traffic . durine the parades and. other activities, police streets, meeting halls and entertainment centers. ; . , During any convention police keep a wary eye open for oftend-ers't-who are not legionnaires. These range all the way from unauthorized novelty salesmen .o pickpockets and other IcriminalsT Salem Police Chief Clyde A. Warren said hi force would not be augmented during the conven tion. However, if ""parades and other night-time activities war rant it. some police may work double shifts on certain days. A number of legionnaire police work in cooperation with the city's regular police force. At the 1939 convention in Salem the police committee was praised for set ting up "almost perfect police pro tection." No arrests were made and no "discourtesies' were re ported. V MRS. HUBERT A. . GOODE National Legion Auxiliary : President : r v-.-. -1 ' X .- - i V of Delegates Pack Sector; Series Courtesy Car System to Provide Free, Transportation work in preparing an elaborate eonvention for the. guests. The le gion convention commission ' has worked; out a courtesy car sys- to mark cars of Legionnaires and those of .-Satem. Clti2ens wno are offering conventioners rides ' w- "? "". pia.-w. Tiv'. n..;nn r Legion Meetings at these Salem Locations ron toJ t) SUMMER. WINTER. ST. COTTAGE ST. hMario$q COMMERCIAL - T 'm ' 1 I i i . - I jOrvce- .-. . CHURCH sr. j " ' ; ! !-.. " - I r n i ' i rr m 1 i i I Courl j """ ! -U0Uie ! -j E I si nor c I 'Xo r - z s tio r. 1: t ! 2 Uj; o kf 4ou M H H nki I '.g LIBERTY ST. ' T I i ' I f . . i r- i i - i i . Public Invited to Legion The general public will be per mitted to share in a large mea sure in the American Legion state convention here next week. "In addition to providing fun and business for official Legion delegates and other Legion mem bers; this convention also is de signed, to be a benefit to the pub lic," a convention official said. Anyone, whether a member of the American Legion or not, nay register lor the convention. When he plunks down his $3 he receives a convention u containing a badge, program) and other litera ture. i The badge entities him to a number of services and perform ances free during the convention. This includes a noon lunch Thurs day at the Legion club on South X : . ,:- 1L E. tKEIXT) OWENS Oregon Department Commanded of Dances to Start Tonight Dance at Armory - The first of four nightly pub- ' lie dances under official conven- tion auspices will be at 91 o'cltvk tonight in the downtown armory. Women's activity will center in. k r tv, .ct t niarv u.hi.h c,Jn,. ,'"y coiiveuiiun wnicn suns with a ritualistic contest at 8 o' - clock tonight Jin the . Willamette university gymnasium and a dis - trict presidents' breakfast at 7 a. CAPITOL ST. II WHIsoh PARK ST. Non-Legionnaires Commercial street. At other func tions the registered ! one is en titled to admission - on payment of the federal admission tax only. But. badge or no badge, a nmf bercf events during the conven tion aXe open -to the public whe ther registered or not. These include the parades through Salem streets, ; the busi ness sessions, of the convention at the capitol tauilding, the grand ball ThursdaV and ; subsequent official Legion dances during the convention and the free air (show at the airport Friday at 3 p. fm. Salem chapter 6, Disabled: Am- Long List of MRS. MITCHELL j THORN Oregon Legion : Auxiliary j President. 1 Chamber " I I I Commerce Die t U.,- I I i i I I f':r:r Hr: ill sC. ' ! j: s.A . - j (m " " 4 I -CL " 5:' ' ; : T . . i i.. r f ,., ' , ' - . ' i I Accommodations in m. Thursday. "in the Senator hotel. ' Principal sessions of the " con- vention proper will be n the stitei capitol building, with other events - scattered throughout Salem. First mass event of the Legion convention will be Thursday mur- ning reveme at at me Marion im i n t v fHnrthniici in thA' ronlor o Saiqm's downtown district, llie ! 2nd infantry band will play .hre jas flag rabing ceremonies precede 'a memorial service to be conduct- 'to Airport ' "' MifiitM ft; Uh Leo i o io A i r fjOf t vii All men o. Golf Club i 0tHi St. Meet Events Can Register, for $3 erican ' Veterans, will j condK t children's contests, with prizes, on the courthouse lawn Friday morning at 10 a.m. The child ren's, parade will begin at 1:30 r. m. that day with children a net their! pets and in theiri favori'e ! tiostumes participating. Tickets also are available to the public for the Friday night vaude ville "familyrtype" show at me fairgrounds. It is to include acts, animals and a circus. . Legion guides will coriduct the public on hourly tours of I the state capitol building dome during the convention days field Distinguished Notables BRIG. GEN. IL G. MAISON Grand Parade Marshal; Oregon Superintendent i of Stat Police ed in the Elsirore theatre jointly by Legion. auxiMary and 40 t 8. Opening Session . i Following the memorial service will be the official onventiop op ening version in the sajme. theatre. arriearar, of pm ; ers. . .f Among the- many! dUniiark-s sharing honors in convention du ties and appev.ra-ers; are S-tlcrs's own B. E. (Kelly) 0yens, Oregon department commander; Port lands Mrs. Hubert Goode. tjhe. na tional Legion auxiliary president; two past national Legion com manders. Frank X., Belgraoo f Portland ana Stephen' Chad wick of Seattle: Mrs. Mitchell Thoi-n, the state auxiliary -president;;' Ore gon Gov. Douglas McKay, himsiif long an active Les'onraire; Port land's woman mayor. Drtrothy McCullough . Lee. active in the auxiliary program. Kerrick Chairman John C.. Kerrick is general convention chaii man. with: Carl Gabrielson as vfee chairman. On as S. Ol'on is executive secre tar' lor convention headquarters. Commanders of the hast posts of Salem are Charles Muggins, pnt 9; Kenneth Potts, post 138, and Mrs. Harriet Belcher, post 149. ' ! Bif. parades, always convention highlights, will be featured dur ing the convention here, with the 40 et 8 parade scheduled for S :0 p. m. today, the junior Legtbkana parade at 1:30 p. m. Friday md the grand convention paraiie at 7. p. m. Friday. Salem Mayor Extends Hand To Delegates Mayor Robert L. Elfstrom rf Sa'em greeted the American Le gion convention in Salem t,ii week with thi$ statement: :, "Ten years have pased ince the Citv of Salem h3s been pri i leged to play host to the state American Lepibn 'convention. "Many cities rorall the enthu siastic, energetic, fun toying 'Le gionnaire' who enjoyed the hos pitfllitv of our citv jn 1939.7 Many will recall also the messages snd forecast I that thoe 'Legionnaires' 'eft with its! after many lonif hoiired sessions of serious: woi k. "Welcome back to Salem, Le gionnaires. - i'Since that meeting ten years ago, a war has been fought nd won. and some of those youthful' spectator of the par.ides and fro lics of that earlier time, are now veterans and have joined your ranks. They will he coming to a Salem American Legion convi tion for the first time and u ll play .n imnortant part irt your future. To these young men 'rid women and to the veterans of fhe first World War. Salem extends a most gracious hand: "Sslem is proud of your" local 'host' Legion organizations who have; prepared a worth while and entertaining program of the dele. gates representing your more th:m ! 30.000 Oregon- Department ! mem j bers. Posts 9. PS and 14$ havo. ; worked hard ard well. "' j "Billed as the host with tho i most." Salem has' put an her par-. ' 1y dress Our street and buildings are gaily decorated, our acrpmmo- dations for lodgnj are prepared : and our eating establishments ate in readiness to serve you. Every j one is cooperating- to make youri : visit complete, comfortable nd ! convenient. "As a representative of the cit- izcns'of Salem. I welcome you srnd enjoin you to share our beauti ful city with us. Daton Post Led . By Ernest Beichel DAYTON .Dayton American Legion post 69 delegates to th state conv ention in Salem will be Louis Schultz, Arthur Dresselhaus and Ernest Beichel. Alternate de legates are Torn Huffman, Harold Litchenthaler and Carl Francis. c Auxiliary delegates include Mrs. Tom Huffman,. Mrs. Louis Schultz and Mrs. Edgar Thornton, Alternates are Mrs. Arthur Dres selhaus, Mrs. Blanche Ruffener and Mrs. Agnes .Merrill. ,, , Ernest Beichel, jr., is command er of the Dayton post. ' JOHN C. KERRICK I )j General Convention Chairman M ' f