The National Emblem Sales catalog combined American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion merchandise in 48 pages plus a 4-page insert containing index, order instructions and order blanks. The new catalog contained 16 pages of four-color and 32 pages of three-color. The new catalog was mailed to posts and units (approximately 31,000 copies) immediately following the Christmas holiday in December and early in January. An additional quantity of approximately 39,000 was distributed to individual members with an additional quantity being distributed to Department Headquarters of The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.

Advertising

A special two-color circular (Encourage Outstanding Achievement) was prepared in an effort to better display the various medals which are available for recognition of outstanding activities; school presentation flags (50 star); and safety signs. This circular was mailed to each Post Adjutant and District Commander.

Circulars distributed during the past year included Memorial Day supplies, Holiday Coin Cards, bowling shirts for the 1963-64 season, and Memorial Bibles. A new circular on bowling shirts for the 1964-65 season and a new circular on The American Legion emblem in solid vinyl tile is scheduled for mailing in August 1964.

Special order blanks are prepared throughout the year and are enclosed in outgoing packages and mailed upon request for additional supply of order blanks.

The Emblem Committee continues to make a very thorough study of the advertising program particularly in connection with proper timing of items featured in the various advertising media.

Department Convention Exhibit and Display

The exhibit and display of official emblem merchandise at department conventions was conducted during the year. In almost every instance, these exhibits have been at the request of department officials for the purpose of advertising, goodwill and service to the individual Legionnaires.

Each purchaser benefits by the division's economical direct sales program and quantity purchasing power. The net profit derived from sales is paid into the General Fund, which is expended under the direct supervision of the National Finance Commission to promote the aims and programs of the organization, thereby further benefiting the individual purchaser.

Sales Data

The gross sales, net earnings, etc., for the entire year 1963, and for the first 6 months of 1964, which have been supplied by the National Emblem Sales Division, are as follows:

Jan. 1-Dec. 81, 1963 (12 months)

Gross Sales____

Cost of goods sold1.

Overhead_.

Operating profit including discounts taken_-_

Less distribution from profits:

Commissions to Auxiliary (National Headquarters).

Net profit to National Organization....

The number of individual orders processed during the 12-month period was 68,474.

1 Of each dollar expended with the National Emblem Sales, the purchaser received in return 65 cents in wholesale merchandise values. Only 35 cents of each customer dollar was retained to pay operating expenses (including payment of commission to the American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters) and to provide net profit.

The number of individual orders processed during the 6-month period was 38,988.

FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION

Thomas E. Whelan, North Dakota, Chairman

William F. Hauck, Indiana, Director of the Washington Office and Staff Liaison with National Foreign Relations Commission

The following report covers the activities of the Foreign Relations Commission during the 1963-64 Legion year. In this period, the Commission or executive subcommittees thereof met on four occasions to review and discuss matters of concern to The American Legion in the field of U.S. foreign relations, and to formulate recommendations on such matters for the consideration of the National Executive Committee.

Since the last annual report there have been assigned or referred to the Commission a total of 34 resolutions pertaining to The American Legion's Foreign Relations program. The analysis of these resolutions by type and source is as follows:

22 approved resolutions from the 1963 National Convention;

1 approved resolution from the National Executive Committee (meeting of April 30-May 1, 1964);

4 referred resolutions from the 1963 National Convention.

5 register resolutions from the National Adjutant;

2 unnumbered resolutions from the NEC Resolutions Subcommittee. The "register" resolutions represent expressions by Departments which have been forwarded to National Headquarters for consideration and which, in turn, have been referred by the National Adjutant to the Foreign Relations Commission for study and recommendation, in accordance with Rule 9 of the Rules of the National Executive Committee. The action of the Commission on these, and on the other resolutions referred to it, is set forth below.

Register resolutions:

Action on Referred Resolutions

Register No. 1114 (Illinois Department Convention)-"United States Information Agency and World Television."

The Commission recommended rejection on the basis that previous Legion resolutions dealing with the USIA have been confined to expressions concerning the Agency's basic mission, rather than recommendations as to how its appropriations are to be allocated. (Action noted in Commission's report to October 16-18, 1963, meeting of the NEC.)

Register No. 1134 (Idaho Executive Committee)-"Surrender of United States Jurisdiction Over the Canal Zone and the Panama Canal Opposed."

The commission recommended that this resolution be approved in principle and consolidated with Resolution No. 335 of the 1963 Convention. (Action noted in Commission's Advance Report to the April 30-May 1, 1964 meeting of the NEC.)

Register No. 1135 (Idaho Executive Committee "Re-evaluation of U.S. Aid Program to France Because of France's Recognition of Red China." An Executive Subcommittee of the commission determined that the issues involved in this resolution should receive further investigation and study, and with appropriate report be considered by the full Commission at its preconvention meeting in Dallas. (Action noted in Commission's report to the April 30-May 1, 1964 meeting of the NEC.)

197

Register No. 1136 (Panama Canal Zone Executive Committee) -"Hiring of Panamanians as Canal Zone Policemen Opposed."

An Executive Subcommittee of the Commission presented this resolution for approval to the National Executive Committee, April 30-May 1, 1964 meeting. It was adopted as Resolution No. 27.

Register No. 1150 (Michigan Executive Committee)-"Panama Canal Zone."

Since the intent of this resolution was essentially the same as that expressed in Resolution No. 335, adopted by the 1963 National Convention, an Executive Subcommittee of the Commission approved Register No. 1150 in principle and recommended that it be consolidated with Resolution No. 335. (Action noted in commission's report to April 30-May 1, 1964 meeting of the NEC).

Un-numbered Resolutions:

Un-numbered resolution (NEC Resolutions Subcommittee)-"International Home Loan Bank."

The Commission recommended rejection on the basis that the resolution seeks Legion support of specific legislation (S. 474) which, upon investigation and analysis, was thought to be lacking in several respects. (Action noted in Commission's advance report to the April 30-May 1, 1964 meeting of the NEC). Un-numbered resolution (NEC Resolutions Subcommittee)-"Establishment of a National Academy of Foreign Affairs."

The Commission recommended rejection on the basis that the 1963 National Convention had rejected a resolution (No. 412) having a similar intent. (Action noted in Commission's report to the October 16-18, 1963 meeting of the NEC). Referred Convention Resolutions:

Res. No. 89 (Pennsylvania), Res. No. 521 (New Jersey), and Res. No. 587 (Texas), 1962-"Protest Awarding of Legion of Merit to Former Enemy Officers."

These three 1962 Convention referred resolutions were still pending final Commission action at the time of the last annual report. Following the 1963 Convention, they were recommended for consolidation with Resolution No. 259, adopted by the 1963 Convention. (Action noted in commission's report to the October 16-18, 1963 meeting of the NEC).

Res. No. 237 (Minnesota), 1963-"Foreign Policy Between the United States and Canada."

The Commission recommended rejection of this resolution on the basis of previous studies which have indicated that full implementation of the objectives cannot be readily effected. (Action noted in Commission's report to October 16-18, 1963 meeting of the NEC).

Res. No. 281 (Mexico), 1963-"Urging that Alliance for Progress Officials Channel Funds for Self-Help Housing Projects through Private Enterprise." The Commission recommended rejection on the basis that the intent of the resolution is not germane to the activities or programs of The American Legion. (Action noted in Commission's advance report to the April 30–May 1, 1964 meeting of the NEC).

Res. No. 413 (Illinois), 1963—“Proposed Changes in Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance Relating to Intervention by World Communism in the Western Hemisphere."

An executive subcommittee of the Commission determined that this resolution required additional study by the staff, with report to be made to the next meeting of the full Commission. (Action noted in Commission's report to the April 30May 1, 1964, meeting of the NEC).

Res. No. 448 (District of Columbia), 1963-“Amend War Claims Act to Provide Compensation for Losses of American Nationals Living in Greece.” The Commission recommended that the resolution be referred back to the Department with a view to contacting the sponsoring American Legion posts in Greece, requesting more specific data about the claims and the individuals involved. The Commission also recommended that it be determined whether or not the prospective claimants are represented in any way by an agent or counsel either in Greece or the United States. The staff was instructed to proceed to notify and work with the Department on this matter. (Action noted in Commission's advance report to April 30-May 1, 1964, meeting of the NEC).

Action on Approved Resolutions

Immediately following the National Convention in Miami Beach, the Commission's staff analyzed the approved resolutions relating to the Legion's Foreign Relations program for the purpose of determining what steps would be required for their implementation. Ten of the 22 resolutions were determined to be legislative in nature. These were brought to the attention of the Legislative Commission in order that they might, through National Executive Committee action, be incorporated into the Legion's 1964 National Legislative program in accordance with NEC Rule 8(b).

Complete sets of all 22 resolutions were transmitted to the Department of State, in sufficient quantity for their appropriate distribution to principal officers and interested offices of the Department. Additional sets were made available to the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate, and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. Copies of each were reproduced and furnished upon request to individual Members of Congress, other Government officials, members of the press, Legionnaires, representatives of other organizations, students, teachers, and many private citizens interested in the Legion's views on issues and developments in the field of foreign affairs.

The 10 convention resolutions that were made a part of the legislative program are as follows:

335

Surrender of U.S. Jurisdiction Over the Canal Zone and the Panama Canal
Opposed

The one resolution on foreign relations which the NEC adopted during the report year was also legislative in nature. This was Resolution No. 27, approved at the meeting of April 30-May 1, 1964. Its title is: "Hiring of Panamanians as Panama Canal Zone Policemen Opposed."

The details of specific legislative activity, including pertinent bill numbers, concerning these eleven resolutions may be found in the report of the Legislative Commission.

On September 23, 1963, National Commander Foley wrote to the leadership of both parties in the Senate to transmit a copy of the resolution (No. 303) adopted at the 1963 convention on the nuclear test-ban treaty, then pending consideration by the Senate. In his letter, the Commander expressed the Legion's feeling on the matter as follows:

"The convention placed The American Legion on record in support of the Treaty pending ratification providing that the Senate of the United States will assure the American people that the Treaty is not a step toward' the disarmament of the United States, or the surrender of our national sovereignty, and that it shall in no way curtail the continued program of underground testing and nuclear weapons development, or the maintenance of all facilities necessary for immediate resumption of atmospheric testing in the event of a violation of the treaty on the part of the Soviet Union, or any other party thereto."

The Commander asked that his letter be brought to the attention of the entire Senate prior to the final vote on the treaty. The treaty was ratified on the following day by a vote of 80 to 19. Since then, the Commission's staff has watched for any sign that the United States may be relaxing in its program of underground testing. So far, this would appear not to be the case. Announcements concerning such tests indicate that they are being conducted at an average of slightly more than one per month.

Throughout the year, Legion positions on foreign policy were highlighted in numerous press releases and speeches of the National Commander. The Commander also relied on specific points of the Foreign Relations Program in several messages sent to the White House, and to the Department of State.