Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-04
5000 WELCOME
Gen. PElSHING c
ON OMAHA VISIT
War Chief Praises Middle
West in War During
His Brief Talk at the
Auditorium. .

tNOutlnueO Ehkc OhcI
deserted villages. Their conduct
was a full exemplihcatin OF the
high character of our national life.
"These boys upon their return
have founded an organization, the
American Legion, which creed EN-
bodies all that is fine in the princl-
pies Of American citizenship. 1t
stands for God and country: for
true Americanism, against the au-
tocracy of the masses or the classes.
They will pass down to posterlty
all that is fine in citizenship. They
are destined to become aul institu-.
ton as great as that of the Civil
war veterans"
Returns January 8.
To illustrate the spirit OF the
Young American manhood, General
Pershing related the story of the
l0-vear-old boy who cried when he
saw troops moving from their camp
10 the port of embarkation, and
said to his mother: "l'd like to go,
too. mother; why didn't you get
married eight years sooner.
General Pershing said Nebraska
was especially favored by having
for its original settlers veterans OF
the Civil war, who have transmitted
the high ideals for which they
fought to the succeeding genera
tons; and who themselves made 1t
possible, by holding the union to-
gether for US to fight as united ma
IL
In closing, General Pershing
thanked the citizens OF Omaha tor
their reception, and accepted their
cordial greetings. not only for him
self, but for the brave men whom he
commanded.
Il will return to make you an OF
fetal visit on January 8, he smiled,
whether you will or not
Shakes Hands of All.
At the close of the speech Mr..
Baldrige announced that the general
would shake hands with everyone
present. The crowd formed a line
to the left, and for nearly an hour
the general was busy greeting the
.seople of Omaha. There were busl-
ness men office men, laborers,. So
ciety women, stenographers and hit
tie girls and occasionally there was
discharged soldier, still wearing
his uniform. who saluted stittiy,
then shook hands with smile. The
line seemed endless, but General
Pershing had a smile for all.
An incident of some Importance
occurred when Mrs. Draper Smith
in shaking the generals hand, de-
clared that she would support him
for president. 4.
Presidency Brings Smile.
II pledge you my support for
your presidency" she announced Sc
riously as she shook his hand. Gen
eral Pershing smiled but said moth
ing. Mrs. Smith is one of Nebras-
ka's leading suffrage workers.
A number of other handshakers
uueried the general regarding MS
presidential. aspirations, and several
murmured, "Our next president as
they greeted him, but he only
smiled.
Among old acquaintance who
greeted the general was Col. y. )
Bingham, zone surplus officer here
John D. Willis, 1925 North Twenty
second street, old Omaha settler
and with four years of fighting IN
the civil war, beginning at For,
Sumpter, to his credit, also received
warm, greeting from General Per
shing.
Cheer for Dahlman.
He was the oldest man IN the
crowd to shake the generals hand
The Youngest handshaker was Eu
gene Wendell Wismer, s-year-oltt
son of H. j. Wismer, 1920 Nortf
Nineteenth. Eugnee, dressed II
Soldiers clothes. saluted and ther
shook hands with the general.
The first man in the line to shake
the generals hand was c. w. Os,
borne of Minneapolis, MINI. When
Mayor James c. Dahlman graspee
the generals hand, cheer went up
from the crowd.
General Pershing was accom-.
panied by his brother, James Per.
shiue of New York, Col. Edward
Bowditch. jr., and Col. J. G. Queke.
never. The remainder of his stafl
will join him at Chicago.
[ Wears Service Stripe.
Il General Pershing and his two OF
l ficers wore Sam Brown belts. The
general wore a Distinguished Ser'
u ice stripe. The general and his party
were back in their private car at the
Burlington station shortly after 5
but his train did not leave until 4
During his stopover he expressed
his regret several times at having
slept while passing through Omaha
10 DAYS ago. Entering his private
car he reiterated his intention OF
making an official visit to Omaha
January 8.
Among members of the committee
who met the general were City Com.
missioners Ure, Zimman, Butler ane
Ringer; John w. Gamble, H: Il