For the American Legion, biggest, richest and most influential of U.S. veteran organizations, its 27th convention, which closed in Chicago last week, was no occasion for oldtime roughhouse play. Throughout a four-day session, the Legion did everything possible to sell itself—or give itself—to the new World War II veterans, male and female. The question was: would they have it?
Retiring National Commander Edward N. Scheiberling, solidly backed by newly-elected Commander John Stelle, onetime Governor of Illinois, answered a firm "yes." Said he: the Legion is a going concern with 1,666,802 members, $15 million in its treasury, and $200 million...