It was suggested public interest questions should include investigations of the “Social Welfare Director, City Building Inspector’s Office, Weights and measures (county), the Police Department, federal relief, transients, Harbor development, Street improvement, Tree planting” among other items.
November 1937: It was decided Post 492 should investigate the Jail.
Past Commander and post historian Jay D. Conner wrote a nine-page summary of Post 492 activities. He credited Dr. Ralph S. Roberts with having the original idea to form a post that would meet during daytime hours. Roberts also believed many veterans were not interested in “an over insistence on rituals. He felt the post should remain small and tolerate political differences.
It was noted the post was often “stymied in its effort to write a new and different constitution… by orders from above.” Post 492 was often at odds with the state department over issues of “personal freedom.”
Smokers were “such an interesting and important part of our post activities.” Under the leadership of George Heyneman, the post was “particularly active in pushing a program of safety education.”
Unfortunately, for the most part, this history is a well-intended fluff piece.
January 3, 1938: California Legion Commander Joseph S. Long “reminded” Post 492 that “endorsing the action of the Fleet Reserve relative to the expenditure of public money for Veterans benefits infringed on the policy of the American Legion.” He was bringing it to the post’s attention “in order that such an incident may not occur again.”
“The Adjutant was instructed to arrange for luncheon meetings at the U. S. Grant Hotel.” (Apparently the Press Club suspended meal service until the Fall.)
March 7, 1938: The meeting was adjourned early so members could listen to a lecture by Dr. Von Buehlowabout the dangers of Nazi Germany in the Plata Real Room of the U. S. Grant Hotel.
May 2, 1938: “There was considerable discussion at this time as to the future policy of this Post regarding this particular controversy.” (What controversy?) Apparently, members of The Hammer Club (?) took umbrage at an editorial in the San Diego Union that was possibly written by Post 492 member Murney Mintzer, which, seemingly, resulted in his termination.
June 6, 1938: Post 492 met with The Hammer Club at the U. S. Grant Hotel. (Apparently The Hammer Club had sponsored Dr. Von Buehlow’s talk in March.) There was no resolution to the issue involving MurneyMintzer, but both groups expressed hostility toward one another. (What was the subject of the editorial?)
June 6, 1938: Homer Hacker, Sr., Chairman of the Americanism Committee of Pacific Beach Post 522 sent a letter to thank Post 492 for contributing $12.00 toward their baseball uniforms. “Believe me old timers, we are going to have a real snazzy and a classic ball club. Come out so see us some time.”
(On July 16, 1938, Hacker’s team faced a team that would become Post 6’s entry in the 1938 American Legion Baseball Tournament. The pitcher for the Pacific Beach boys was Ned Haskell. On the mound for Post 6 was Duane Pillette, future New York Yankees hurler and son of Padres pitcher, Herm “Old Folks” Pillette. What made this game unusual is that both pitchers threw no-hitters. PB Post 522 won, 2-1 over Post 6… Post 6 would go on to win the 1938 National American Legion Baseball Championship.)