100 Years Ago: May 19-25

From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, May 21, 1923: The National American Legion executive committee, in a two-hour closed session, yesterday adopted a resolution denouncing “organizations which condemn a comrade because of creed or belief.” While details of the executive session were held in close secrecy, it was reported the resolution was approved by a secret vote of 36 to 20.  Some committee members hinted after the meeting that dissension within departments in various sections of the country is expected following adoption of the resolution. A resolution denouncing the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, proposed by former national commander Henry Lindsley of Texas, was tabled. The Lindsley resolution had previously been heatedly debated in a seven-hour meeting of the executive committee and its tabling was taken to indicate a critical point in the life of the Legion was passed safely.