The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-05-02
KEEP AMERICAN
THOUGHT ON THE
LEVEL SAYS BAKER
Secretary of War Ad-
dresses Fraternity Men
at Founders Day Ban
quet..

Newton d. Baker, secretary of war.
told members of Phi Gamma Delta
fraternity, section six, assembled at
Ruegers hotel last night for the
Founders Day banquet. that they
should aid with might and main III
keeping American thought on the
level and untrammeled by prejudice
and passion. The world has accept
ed the American doctrine OF poltlcaI
freedom" he asserted.
Secretary Baker reached Richmond
at 6:25 from Washington, He was
driven to the jefferson hotel He
will leave for Washington again this
morning. He has been a member OF
the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity for
thirty-two years. and was president
six years. He is also an alumnus OF
Washington and Lee and Johns Hop
kins universities.
one particular feature of the ban
quet was the presentation by Secre-
tary Baker of a distinguished service
cross to Lieutenant James K. Moore.
Of Kenova. w. Va, who not only be-
longs to the same fraternity, but
graduated from the same institution
as did Mr.. Baker. Other speakers
were Harris Hart, state superinten-
dent of public Instructions John b
Lightfoot. and A r. Clarke, of Char
iotte, \. c., section chief OF section
six Douglas :. Freeman was toast
master
The entire program was an en-
thusiastic and live one. College songs
and wells wo<e interpreted through
out the program Wells from nearly
every college represented were given.
In his speech Secretary Baker re-
viewed some Of his experiences be
hind the battle lines in France, He
told specifically OF the time he was
near the lines and the Germans were
making their desperate offensive on
Paris Things looked very black for
the allies a that time. he said. How
ever, he had confidence that the
Americans would come through and
deliver the goods, which they did
His only doubt, he said was that the
war would be over before the Ameri-
cans would get there.
The Germans hesitation as to
whether to 60 forward, or not, gave
the allies a breathing spell, and en-
ahied the Americans to reach the
scene and save the war" Secretary
| Baker asserted. He said that the
| Americans first success at Cantigny
/ would never have been accomplished
| if they had held back as the French
/ leaders suggested. But the Ameri-
! y
/ Baker asserted amidst strong ap-
! plause. But they waded right in
and began to settle the matter right
/ there"
The secretary also reviewed the St.
/ Mihiel offensive. in which the Ameri-
| cans also played a leading role. He
also told briefly of some of the other
! battles of which he was a witness
He told the history OF a picture
/ OF Lafayette. which rests on the
mantel in his office in Washington
He said that 1t was presented to him
| by a French general, who rescued it
| from the ruins of one OF the Germans
headquarters behind the lines when
( they burnt it after vacating it. The
/ French general was a desce ndant Of
! Lafayette and when he entered the
! only room left Of the Smoidering
! building he found the picture Of
! Lafayette.
In closing his inspiring address,
( Secretary Baker spoke words of ad-
/ vice to the new mem bers of the fra
ternity as TO their duties and respon-
siblities of such a great body. He
told them always to he true and faith
| ful