Compiled Selections of 1938 Minutes

Consolidated minutes of 1938
January 3, 1938 : - ****** Louis Cole, Commander, opened the meeting at 8:15 with 26 present. George Dunham, acting as Chaplain, read the invocation. Henry Marois reported our enrollment was the largest for the corresponding period in any year. Voted to hold a clam boil after February meeting to see if we reach our membership quota. Voted to leave $36.00 in the Building Fund after much discussion whether it should be given to the Post as back rent for the Fish and Game Association. The committee of Rogers, Davis and Hayward handle a $25.00 loan from the Post as they organize a junior band sponsored by the Post. The Post will loan band equipment which is to remain Post property under the responsibility of Comrade Rogers. A recess was voted at 9:25 P.m. to discuss the matter of forming a band with Mr. Dana Blandin, band leader. Much enthusiasm was shown by the Comrades and many questions asked. Praise was bestowed upon Comrade Rogers for his great efforts to start the young people in our community in forming this unit. Alfred Mack gave a talk on the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration to be held by the State Dept. of Education on June 14, 1938. Massachusetts signed the Constitution on Feb 6, 1788.

February 7, 1938 : - ****** Tenth District Commander Myron Baxter was guest for the evening. Thirty-seven members were present. A balance of $437.23 is in the Post fund, according to F.O. Thomas. The show committee reported net proceeds of $109.90. Membership to date is 114 paid. Clarence Hayward reported that the Junior Band is progressing. Two more members were appointed to the Band Committee. Appointed were Edson Bemis and P. J. McMahon. Members voted to hold a FROLIC this year. It was voted to convey the title of HONORARY PAST COMMANDER to George Washington Thomas and Dura T. Weston of the Grand Army, who the members of Simeon L. Nickerson Post hold in high esteem. A committee of three, Gagnon, Dr. Hall and Joseph Dutra were appointed to visit the above men of “65”. A sum of $5.00 was voted to present the G. A. R. men something. A Veterans Night committee was appointed, Marois, Saunders and Dr. Hall, with a sum of $5.00 voted for night. Motion passed that a sum of $12.00 to repair the Adjutant’s typewriter. Comrades Mack and Thomas gave a talk on the country’s Constitution and workings of laws and the Supreme Court. Tenth District Commander talked on Legion affairs and activities. Members stood for a moment of silence for our departed.

March 7, 1938 : - ****** Highlights of the meeting: Paid up membership is 133. Balance in the treasury is $430.98. Voted that the Adjutant see to it that the Welfare Office has a supply of 1 and ½ cent stamps. The VFW to be notified that the Poppy Drive take place the Saturday before Memorial Day and if they do not hold it to notify us. Hospital committee reported on furnishing a room at St. Luke’s Hospital and that the Auxiliary be granted permission to furnish same. Voted to go ahead with proposition as long as the money does not come from the treasury and to share with the Auxiliary for furnishing the room. A five member hospital fund committee was appointed. They were Hayward, Dutra, G.I. Dunham, Ed Bemis and Crowley. A nominating and appointment committee of Dr. Hall, J. Dutra, Ch. Fickert, M. A. Snow and G. I. Dunham were named by the Commander. The District Oratorical Contest will be held March 19th at the Middleboro Memorial High School.

April 4, 1938 : - ****** Meeting called to order at 8:12 P.M. by Commander Cole. Committee reports were heard. Comrade Saunders reported for the flag committee. Warren Rogers reported on the band and said the Sons of Legion will help on April 19th with the flags. Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee it was voted to form a VETERANS COUNCIL and to form a by-laws committee for the council. It was voted to hold a supper during April and $25.00 was voted for the supper. Members voted NO on putting a baseball team in the Twilight League. The Athletic Officer will investigate the cost on Junior baseball team. Finance Officer Thomas reported a balance of $423.46. Voted to donate $5.00 to the Boy Scouts. Voted to furnish two men to the Red Men to help run their carnival and the Post accept $50.00 from the Red Men. Motion made and voted to join the B.P.O. Elks of observance of Flag Day June 19th. The show committee will hold a show and it was voted the Post go 50-50 with the Auxiliary.

May 2, 1938 : - ****** Normal meeting opening and committee reports. Balance of $399.63 in Post treasury. Voted the sum of $5.00 for both the Y.M.C.A. and the District Nurse Association. Accept bill from Auxiliary to pay one half the expense of furnishing needy supplies to orphans on Orphans Day. Voted to hold initiations at next regular meeting. Comrade Joseph Dutra reported that the Red Men did not want anything to do with a carnival. A carnival committee was appointed consisting of George I. Dunham, M. A. Snow, Fred Wright, William Begley and Henry Marois and running a carnival be left in their hands. Motion and so voted that we discharge the 4th of July Committee and the idea die of natural death. Notices for the Roll Call supper be sent at the expense of the Post and that we join the Auxiliary for the supper. Voted to contact the Auxiliary to thrash out all activities so no difficulties arise.

June 6, 1938 :- ******The regular meeting opened at 8:10 by Commander Cole with 38 members and two guests present. The guests were Past District Commander Cliff Collins of Sandwich Post and Commander of District 10 Myron Baxter. Dr. Hall reported on the program with Lodge of Elks for the June 14 Flag Day. Vice Commander reported that we had 156 members. Warren Rogers informed the Post that the band has disbanded for the summer. Voted that we have the basketball suits cleaned at the expense of $2.50. Motion made and voted to donate $10.00 to 4th July celebration. Nomination and election of officers. Elected were: Commander, Henry Marois; 1st Vice Commander, Horace Atkins; 2nd Vice Commander, William Begley; 3rd Vice Commander, Thomas Tate; Adjutant, Everett Saunders; Finance Officer, Ernest Thomas; Chaplain, Clarence Hayward; Sgt @ Arms, Frank Harris; Americanization Officer, Pat McMahon; Athletic Officer, William Bernier; Judge Advocate, Fletcher Clark, Jr.; Historian, Clifton McCrillis; Executive Committee, Louis Cole, Marshall Snow and George Deane. Delegates to the convention P. J. McMahon, E. E. Thomas and L. A. Cole. Alternates are Fred Wright, Henry Marois and C. H. Hayward. Motion made that the present telephone be replaced by a semi-public phone. Voted to have it installed. Voted to appropriate $30.00 for our delegates and that they divide the sum equally for their expenses. Commander Myron Baxter spoke to the Post. Voted that the delegates be instructed to for his election as State Vice Commander. Adjourned at 10:20. Respecfully Submitted. E.L. Saunders, Adj.

July 11, 1938 :- ****** Seventeen members were present at the regular monthly meeting. Normal opening events were conducted. Card inspection, colors advanced, invocation, reading of minutes of previous meeting and financial report given with $310.20 as the balance. Dick’s Paramount Shows regretted that they couldn’t give us a date for a carnival until later in the season. Veterans Council reported as in progress. An Armistice Day committee was named with Arthur Almquist, Marshall A. Snow, Fred Wright, Henry Marois and George I. Dunham. For the Good of the Legion trees were talked about by Pete Dunham to possibly be planted around the Union Street school; and, Comrade Gagnon informed the members that the Park Commissioner wanted trees planted around the wonderful swimming pool. Adjourned at 9 P.M.

August 1, 1938 : - ****** Commander Louis Cole opened the meeting with 29 members present. Committee reports were heard. Report of progress by the Carnival committee and that sum of $10 was voted from treasury for rent of the carnival grounds. September 12th was voted for holding the installations. A sum of $25.00 was voted for the installations at Town Hall. Voted to send a telegram to Gov. Hurley regarding the matter of providing additional hospital facilities at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. The Post voted to instruct our delegates to vote for Australian ballot. Also, it was voted, that our delegates be instructed not to exchange votes with Suffolk County or do any MONKEY BUSINESS.

September 9, 1938 : - ******Acting Commander Henry Marois presided due to the absence of Commander Cole. Twenty-three were present. F.O. Thomas reported as of Sept 1st the balance is $217.60. Bills be referred to Finance Committee and if found correct be paid. The summary of a yearly budget was given and that P.C. Snow make up a budget for the coming year. A final report of the carnival was given by Geo. I. Dunham, which showed a net profit of $373. Other committee reports were given by the Hospital, Tree, Building, Installation, Veterans Council and Armistice Day committees. Ernest Thomas reported on his trip to the State Convention. The report about the State Convention in Worcester be accepted and placed on file. Piano was donated by Comrade Leon Millette. District Commander Hall was given the privilege to use our hall on Sunday, September 11 th at 7 P.M. He also spoke on the Good of the Legion and informed members that the District 10 meeting is to be held at Sandwich, Sunday, Oct 2nd. Marois, Saunders and McCrillis were named to as delegates to the meeting.

October 3, 1938 : - ****** Commander Henry Marois opened the meeting at 8:10. Inspection of cards and colors were advanced by Sgt @ Arms Frank Harris. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. There is a $500.52 balance in the treasury. A discussion was held over the Emergency call during the HURRICANE of September 21st, which was th worst storm in this part of the country. A committee was formed of Hayward, Cole and McCrillis to investigate the advisability of forming an emergency group to answer calls in time of distress or need. Providing hats for the Sons of the Legion was discussed. Voted to spend $3.00 on playing cards. The Adjutant will receive $25.00 for stamps and envelopes. The Service Officer was given $20.00 for his use. It was voted that the Post present out-going and in-coming bouquets of flowers to Presidents of the Auxiliary. A sum of $4.00 to be used for flowers. The Membership committee, it was voted, will use $10.00. The Celebration of American Legion Week committee received an appropriation of $35.00. P.C. McCrillis announced that Dr. Hall was a candidate for the office of State Vice- Commander. The Post went on record as endorsing District Commander Hall.

November 7, 1938 : - ****** There were 26 members and two guests, Commander Harold F. Adshead and Adjutant Audell W. Monk, Jr., from Fairhaven Post #166. Dr. John Hall, District 10 Commander, was escorted to a seat near our Commander Henry Marois. The treasury has a balance of $530.14. All bills will go through proper channels to be paid. Vice- Commander Atkins gave out pictures of the recent hurricane. He also announced a banquet will be held on November 9th. (NOTE: In this report it is well that the Adjutant state that there were 80 members present on the evening of the 9th. A fine talk by Fletcher Clark, Jr., after which Commander Marois asked the nine former Post Commanders to stand.) Adjutant Saunders reported that the Poppy Drive showed a net profit of $79.19. A motion and voted to send $5.00 to the Girl Scouts. Commander Adshead and Adjutant Monk extended greetings from Post #166. Both spoke of the hospitality of our Post in helping them during the recent hurricane. They presented a citation to the Post for this service. A sum of $5.00 be sent for District dues. Voted that the District hold its January meeting in Middleboro. Adjourned at 9:20. Respectfully, E. L. Saunders, Adj.

December 5, 1938 : - ****** Commander Marois banging the gavel opened the meeting at 8:15 with 34 present. Reports were given by F.O. Thomas, who reported a balance of $594.16. Horace Atkins of the Membership Committee showed 104 paid up members. Athletic Officer Bernier announced the basketball team doing well in the league. A sum of $10.00 was voted for the Sons of the Legion installation, Friday evening, December 11th. VETERANS COUNCIL. Geo. I. Dunham, read the Constitution and By-Laws of the Veterans Council of Middleboro. The council consists of the American Legion, V.F.W., Sons of Union Veterans and Spanish War veterans. Delegates to the Council were elected. They were Dr.Hall, C. A. McCrillis and G. I. Dunham Alternates are Louis Cole, P.J. McMahon and Joseph Dutra. The sum of $2.00 was donated to the Christmas Seals for tuberculosis. Voted to pay half the expenses fo care for orphans at Christmas. Childrens Xmas party was voted a sum of $15.00. It was voted to take the telephone out and have the radio repaired. A Hospital Committee was elected: H. K. Atkins, Geo. I. Dunham, Louis Cole, Arthur S. Hall and William Begley. Voted to allow a sum of $10.00 for Service Office Cole relative to his office. Appropriated $5.00 for a social evening with Bridgewater Post. The third Sunday in January the District Council will meet in Middleboro. Adjourned at 10:15.
........ ( Compiled BY RNL 2014 )