Revolt in the Legion

In the smoky, second-floor room in Easton, Pa., Post Commander George Lacey told the sprawled Legionnaires of Brown and Lynch Post: "Fellows, there's nothing to discuss here. The national convention opposes the Hoover veterans' recommendations.* That's an edict. If we don't go along, we lose our charter." The Legionnaires docilely chorused agreement. But one Legionnaire was shocked. Legionnaire Martin Merson, a 44-year-old lawyer and Navy veteran, who is still gaunt from malaria contracted on Guadalcanal, began checking around. He found that most of the post members had not the slightest idea of what they were voting on. He found that out of 650 members, only a handful ever attended meetings, and this handful ran the post to suit themselves. Merson got madder & madder. With such a setup, what right had national Legion commanders to tell U.S. congressmen that they represented the wishes of nearly 3,000,000 members?

Veterans Are Different. Last week, goaded by Merson, the Easton post agreed to debate the Hoover report again. National headquarters sent a special representative and the district commander to introduce him. After the lighting of cigars and swearing to the Legion's pledge of "100% Americanism," debate began. The national command had one defense ("Veterans are a selected group") and one tacit assumption: any change in the Veterans Administration would loosen the Legion's traditional grip on VA matters. Merson's forces argued only that the Hoover proposals would be more efficient. Cried Merson: "Shall we be rubber stamps of the Legion hierarchy--or shall we be free men, following each the dictates of his own conscience? Let us stand up and be counted as men!"

The smoke got thicker, the talk angrier, and the post commander's bell rang more frantically. "Didn't the national Legion decide all this? What are we discussing it for?" demanded a fuddled Legionnaire. "We can't do anything contrary to the edict of the national Legion," bawled one World War I veteran. "Edict!" roared grizzled old Herman Wolff. "I never would have joined the damned organization if I knew I was subject to edicts. One hundred percent Americanism! Bah!"

"Motion Defeated." In the confusion, Merson's men introduced the same resolution the post had passed last year--approving the Hoover report but opposing its veterans' provisions. The oldtimers were sure that anything Merson was for they were against. Before they knew what was happening, they had voted the resolution down thunderingly. "Motion defeated," screamed Post Commander Lacey in triumph, ringing his bell. Then his secretary whispered in his ear. Lacey's face fell. "Comrades," he shouted in horror, "we have just gone against the national e-dict!"

It was a small beginning, but not an easy one. "I'll lose clients because of what I did tonight," admitted a young lawyer, "but what the hell--it's worth it." Said Merson: "It will take more than a Tide of Toys to bring the American Legion back to life. But it can be done."

*Which would consolidate federal hospitals under one administration, eliminate duplication and waste.

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