Doubtless they have themselves forgotten what they said.  No verbatim records are available now.  In fact I am told that no record could have been kept, for many times two or three were speaking at once and the chairman was breaking the third commandment with his gavel.  But this much everyone wanted, “A Veteran’s Organization.”  This much everyone swore he would have, one that was neither political nor partisan, one that would perpetuate righteousness, insure “honor, faith, and a sure intent,” and despite whatever bickering there might have been, despite whatever differences of opinion arose, when, with a tremendous “Aye,” the motion to adjourn was carried, this Paris Caucus had accomplished a body politic and a soul of the type which Bishop Brent so clearly described.

To resume the story of actual accomplishment.  The Executive Committee was given general power to represent the units in France, to confer with committees or representatives of the American Caucus as soon as these should be appointed, and, in conjunction with the latter, to issue a call for the holding of county and State conventions and providing a unit of representation and method of selection of delegates to one general convention for the autumn of 1919, preferably November 11th, or Armistice Day.

The Executive Committee met immediately after the adjournment of the caucus and elected Colonel Foreman of the Thirty-third Division, Chairman; Lt.  Colonel George A. White, Forty-first Division, Secretary and Major R.C.  Patterson, Paris Command, Assistant Secretary.  Lt.  Col.  White, Col.  Wood, Major R.C.  Patterson, and Lt.  L.R.  Farrell were elected permanent members at large of the Executive Committee.

Then from this executive committee a committee of fifteen was chosen for the purpose of expediting the work which had been assigned to the larger committee, it being easier to assemble fifteen men than the larger number.  The committee of fifteen elected Col.  Bennett Clark as its chairman.

At the first meeting of the committee of fifteen a hope was expressed that the caucus in America would take similar action in the appointment of an executive committee, which would in turn delegate its authority to a smaller committee for working purposes.  Just exactly how this worked out, is later described.

CHAPTER III.

PRE-CAUCUS DAYS IN AMERICA.

Once home again it didn’t take a Solomon to tell Colonel Roosevelt that he had a man’s size job on his hands in starting the American Legion on its way in the United States.  Dispatches more or less accurate had told the service men on this side something about the Legion activities of the A.E.F. in France.  As late as mid-April, however, a great many men in this country knew nothing whatever about the American Legion, while the majority of those who did were not at all sure it was to be The Veteran’s Organization.  What I have said previously