of this convention by the people of St. Petersburg and by the people of Florida, we adopt this resolution by a rising vote.

Comrade DINEEN (New York). I wish to arise to second that motion.

Commander in Chief HERRICK. Comrades, you have heard the motion that we adopt this resolution by a rising vote as an expression of our appreciation of the courtesy extended to the delegates to this encampment by the people of St. Petersburg in particular and by the people of Florida. What is your pleasure?

(The delegation arose.)

Commander in Chief HERRICK. The comrades will be in order and the chairman of the committee on resolutions will proceed.

Past Commander in Chief SMITH. Resolution No. 24, which the committee recommends be passed, is as follows:

RESOLUTION No. 24

(Presented by Comrade T. V. Martinez.)

Whereas the erection of monuments as memorials is a permanent appeal to our patriotism and perpetuates the valor of our comrades: Therefore be it

Resolved, That all patriotic instructors of our organization be, and are hereby, directed to cooperate with any and all patriotic organizations in its or their efforts to erect, or cause to be erected, shafts, tablets, or monuments to commemorate the deeds and accomplishments of the soldiers and sailors of 1898. Let the spirit of 1898 be perpetuated.

(Adopted.)

RESOLUTION No. 25

(Presented by the committee on resolutions.)

Whereas the facts surrounding the endeavor to secure an increase in pensions for our aged and disabled comrades during the session of Congress which closed last March are well known to all veterans; and

Whereas in these endeavors the veterans had the sympathy and support of a large majority of the Senators and Representatives; and

Whereas in order to get the full benefit of this support it was necessary to have leaders in both the House and Senate who were deeply interested in the welfare of the veterans and who were able and willing to devote their time and energy in an effort to accomplish this result; and

Whereas the task of leading the battle for the veterans was willingly taken over by Senator Holm O. Bursum, of New Mexico, and Hon. John M. Robsion, of Kentucky, and under their able leadership everything was done that was humanly possible to secure the enactment of a law granting adequate pensions to the men who had followed the flag: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Twenty-seventh National Encampment assembled extend to the Hon. Holm O. Bursum, former United States Senator from New Mexico, and to the Hon. John M. Robsion, Member of Congress from Kentucky (eleventh district) the heartfelt thanks of the veterans of the Spanish-American War period for their untiring efforts in furthering legislation beneficial to our aged and disabled comrades.

(Adopted.)

RESOLUTION No. 26

(Presented by Comrade L. D. Mahone, Department of Oregon.)

Whereas at the last encampment of the Department of Oregon, held in the city of Port Orford, situated at the base of the Coast Range Mountains on the Pacific Ocean and on the famous scenic Roosevelt Highway, running for more than 300 miles along the coast, the sod was turned and a place dedicated for the erection of a Roosevelt monument overlooking ocean, highway, and lofty mountains, and ever standing as an object lesson to the children and citizenry of Oregon and to the thousands of tourists who pass that way: Therefore be it Resolved, That the Twenty-seventh Annual Convention of the United Spanish War Veterans do hereby indorse this movement of the comrades of Oregon

and bid them Godspeed in erecting this monument on Battle Rock, famous in Oregon history, and making it more attractive and interesting because of the services of our late comrade, Theodore Roosevelt.

(Adopted.)

(At this point Commander in Chief Herrick retired from the room and Junior Vice Commander in Chief Dodds assumed the chair.)

Past Commander in Chief SMITH. The resolutions which follow are the resolutions which, in the judgment of the committee, it was deemed advisable to grant leave to withdraw. Many of them relate to matters with which this convention has nothing whatever to do. For that reason the committee recommends leave to withdraw a number of these resolutions. Other resolutions contain the same matter and practically the same language as resolutions which have already been read and passed.

RESOLUTIONS WITHDRAWN

RESOLUTION No. 28

Massachusetts presents the name of Richard R. Flynn for commander in

chief.

Commissioner of State aid and pensions department. A lifetime spent in the interest of the veteran and his dependents. He has served under Republican and Democratic administrators. He will work for the equalization of Spanish War pensions with those of other wars.

1

Elect a comrade who has shown what can be done in his own State and who will work unceasingly to do it for you.

The committee recommends that leave to withdraw this resolution be granted.

Commander in Chief HERRICK. Unless objection is voiced, the recommendation of the committee will be considered adopted on all resolutions.

RESOLUTION No. 29

Be it resolved by the Twenty-second Annual Encampment, Department of New York, United Spanish War Veterans, That the attention of Congress be called to the apparent laxity in the awarding of medals for bravery in the Spanish War, Philippine insurrection, and the China relief expedition and steps recommended taken to assure to the enlisted man all rewards and emoluments that his undoubted bravery entitles him to.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 30

Be it resolved, That M. M. Carleton Post, No. 5, Veterans of Foreign Wars of St. Paul, Minn., do ask the national encampment in session August 29, 30, 31, 1925, at Tulsa, Okla., to take steps and try to secure about 500 positions in our 10 national homes for ex-service men, these positions now being held by nonservice men; and be it further

Resolved, That some action be taken with regard to the present soldiers' preference and civil service laws, as these laws do not as now practiced cover the employment question in our national and nationally controlled homes and hospitals; and be it further

Resolved, That as these homes and hospitals are for ex-service men, exservice men must be employed, and we ask the President of the United States of America and its Senate and House of Representatives to remove from office all members of the boards and officers of these institutions who will not employ ex-service men.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 31

Whereas practically all civilized nations have combined their army, navy, and air forces under one head, the department of national defense": There

fore be it

Resolved, That this national encampment recommended that such a combination be made for this country, the Army, Navy, and air forces to have each a separate head. The commander of the air forces to be a practical flyer; and be it

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the press of the United States with the request that every camp of the United Spanish War Veterans adopt a similar resolution. A copy for the Committee on Aircraft Investigation now sitting at Washington, D. C., and for the headquarters of every State encampment, with request for similar action.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 32

At the fifteenth annual reunion and encampment, department of Florida, United Spanish War Veterans, held at West Palm Beach, Fla., May 18-20, 1925, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Be it resolved, That the national flag of the Republic of Cuba be displayed as a part of our decorations for all future encampments, and this resolution be recommended to the national encampment for their adoption, and the copy of same be sent to the President of Cuba."

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 33

(Presented by the department of Florida.)

At a special meeting of the department of Florida, United Spanish War Veterans, it was resolved:

"Whereas the climatic conditions of Florida, its almost continuous sunshine, and the medicinal qualities of its various spring waters, has been instrumental in healing the physically incapacitated; and

"Whereas the Government is locating homes for the incapacitated veterans and soldiers: Therefore be it

66

Resolved, That we memoralize the national encampment to take the necessary steps to have the Government establish in the State of Florida a suitable home for the care of all indigent or disabled soldiers and sailors."

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 34

(Presented by Commander Ralph Steckel, department of Georgia.) Whereas the grade of wagonmasters in Infantry and Cavalry regiments has been abolished; and

Whereas the noncommissioned officer performing the duties formerly performed by the wagonmaster of these organizations is now authorized the grade of sergeant; and

Whereas, the noncommissioned officer performing these duties has a responsibility equal to that of a master sergeant in the Army, viz: the responsibility of 112 animals, 24 wagons, all harness and saddlery pertaining to these animals, is directly responsible for the care and feeding of all animals and together with the veterinarian assigned to the organization, is responsible for the health of all animals; and

Whereas the grade of sergeant does not obtain in all cases the most competent noncommissioned officer to perform this duty, and the duty warrants a high grade: Therefore be it

Resolved, That the Twenty-seventh Annual Encampment of United Spanish War Veterans at St. Petersburg, Fla., September 27 to October 1, 1925, go on record as deploring this condition in the Army and request the Secretary of War to secure amendment to the tables of organization so that the same will grant the rank of at least technical sergeant to noncommissioned officers performing the duties previously performed by wagonmasters in service companies of regiments; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of War, chairman of Military Affairs Committees of the United States Senate and House of Representatives and all members of the Military Committee be furnished a copy of these resolutions; and be it further

Resolved, That the national legislative committee be instructed to secure necessary changes in tables of organization in the proper manner.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 35

(Presented by Comrade George H. Riley.)

Whereas the experience in the past has shown the folly of the United States from being involved in any foreign entanglements; and

Whereas our last attempt to assist in bringing about peace in Europe has earned us the enmity of the whole European Continent; and

Whereas each day brings home with more force the admonitions of the immortal Washington against foreign entanglements: Therefore be it

Resolved, That this Twenty-seventh Encampment of the United Spanish War Veterans assembled in encampment at St. Petersburg, Fla., oppose the entry of the United States of America into any agreements with foreign nations or peoples which will involve us in any world's courts, leagues of nations, or any such groups that lead us to interfere with the destinies of any peoples outside the confines of the United States or its territories.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 36

(Presented by Maj. Thomas M. Woodruff Camp, No. 4, Department of Florida.)

Be it resolved, That there be a bureau established in the national department of the United Spanish War Veterans to be known as the veterans' service bureau.

1. The object of this bureau is to assist all disabled veterans of the United Spanish War Veterans in preparing and correctly presenting their lawful claims for pensions.

2. To assist widows and orphans of United Spanish War Veterans in preparing, presenting, and securing lawful pensions.

3. To assist disabled United Spanish War Veterans in securing hospitalization in United States veterans' hospitals.

4. To assist aged United Spanish War Veterans in making application for national soldiers' homes.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 37

(Presented by Robley D. Evans Camp, No. 33, Department of Wisconsin.) Whereas in the national and State homes for disabled volunteer soldiers there are a number of totally disabled Spanish War veterans from all parts of our common country, who have been rejected for a pension under the Sells Act by reason of the "vicious-habit clause"; and

Whereas while fate has decreed that these comrades should become helpless victims of the war, the local camps and auxiliaries in the several homes have made lighter their heavy burden by giving aid, financial and otherwise, and as a result they have learned to depend upon us, but the responsibilities have become too great for the local camps and auxiliaries to bear: Therefore be it Resolved, That this national encampment can not afford to penalize these our comrades by failing them in this matter, and that the method of raising funds for their benefit from the general public is condemned for the reason that it is not in harmony with the fundamental spirit of true comradeship as expressed in our beloved organization; that it has a tendency to make a charitable football of our unfortunate comrades, bringing humiliation to them and magnifying their helpless condition, and because it is not only the duty but the privilege of our organization to care for its own; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the consensus of this national encampment that the commander in chief and the national council of administration shall immediately appropriate from the general fund and other sources a sufficient amount

to average $24 annually for each comrade above referred to, said money to be remitted to department in which said homes are located, to be disbursed by them and account rendered to national headquarters semiannually, and to continue this fraternal feature until the said "vicious-habit clause" has been repealed by Congress; and further be it

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the national meeting of the auxiliary now in session, with a suggestion that they take similar action. (Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 38

(Presented by Mrs. Rae B. Druck, Garfield Relief Corps.)

Whereas the real significance underlying the celebration of Thanksgiving Day, the spirit of thankfulness to God, as well as our country, as expressed in the first national Thanksgiving proclamation, issued by President Washington October 3, 1789, viz:

66 To recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness"; and

Whereas Thanksgiving, our first national holiday, should indeed be a day of rejoicing and prayer and of patriotic demonstration; and

Whereas the patriotic observance of the day affords a splendid opportunity for impressing the history of our country and our American ideals of citizenship upon the minds and hearts of our children and citizens, thereby arousing a greater degree of patriotism, loyalty, and appreciation of our country: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That we include in our usual observance of Thanksgiving the patriotic significance of the day and display the flag as on other national holidays; and be it further

Resolved, that we promote this movement by including it in our Americanization program.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTION No. 39

(Presented by Butler Camp, No. 33, Department of Pennsylvania.)

Whereas there is apparent a general desire among the people of the United States to observe the 30th day of May each year as a Memorial Day sacred to the dead of all wars; and

Whereas military and civil organizations make special effort to turn out on that day in fullest strength and best appearance for the purpose of expressing honor and gratitude to the memory of our veteran dead; and

Whereas there is also a desire on the part of our beloved Government to secure from our citizenry, on one day each year, an expression of readiness and willingness to serve in defense of our land if need be: Therefore be it Resolved, That the United Spanish War Veterans, assembled in their national encampment, respectfully suggest to the Congress of the United States that Memorial Day, to wit, the 30th day of May each year, be made a national holiday sacred to the memory of all wars, and that the proper departments of the National Government on that day also receive such reports and expressions from the people as are deemed requisite for defense day.

(Leave to withdraw.)

RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

RESOLUTION No. 40

(Presented by Comrade George P. Stovall.)

Be it resolved, That the legislative committee be instructed that in drafting a pension bill to include therein a provision to the effect that all pensioners concerned by the bill who are under a special act receiving a less sum as a pension than the minimum rate provided by the bill shall automatically become entitled to and receive the minimum rate fixed by the bill to be prepared by the said legislative committee.

(Referred to the legislative committee.)