Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-21
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 81. 1921
THE LEGloN's COMMANDER.

In an editorial entitled "Hullihen.
Legionniare," which we published on
this page yesterday, we commented
on the action of the Laurence Roberts
Post. No. 81. American Legion, en-
dorsing DIR. Walter Hullihen. Presi- |
dent of the University Of Delaware,
for State Commander of the Legion.
Among other things we said that for
the sake of unity in the American
Legion. we believe that il would be
well If DIR. Hullihen or a man OF simi-
lar high character who is not in poll
tics was seriously considered by the
delegates from the other posts" Fur
thermore. we stated that "Dr. Hulli-
hen. or a man of similar qualifications,
should be chosen at the coming meet
ing"
This paper takes q lively interest
IN Nnt iottuneS VI inc ShitttiCth In
gion because it looks 10 that body TO
become a great stabilizing social force
in every community, every state, and
the Nation. Every Evening knows
that elsewhere the Legion does not
always command the respect which il
should because of a lack of >forceful,
non-political commanders Every
Evening realizes that II all of the
A.o0o. 900 men who are eligible to menu
bership in this great body actually
Join. that many OF them who are now
without the pale must be convinced
that the Legion is not a group which
oces nothing except further the politi-
cal fortunes Of certain professional
politicians who are already within the
fold. We believe that if the Legion
in each state Will place men Of good
oharacter--rnen who already are
highly respected--in places. of power
that the Legion soon will be the most
powerful, influential, and worthy body
cf men in this country. But each
state must do its share.
The American Legion in Delawar,
has had in its short past good mer
in the post OF State Commander. Il
has good man now. And the mex
man chosen must be a good man. DR.
Hullihen is a good man. So are score.
and scores of native Delawareans
any one of whom may finally b
chosen to head our Legion during tn
coming year.
In this connection we wish to cal
attention to a communication from
Captain ]. Z. Biackson, late of tn
United States Army, which appear
on this page today under the genera
title of What the People Say" CAP
tain Blackson commends the Laur
ence Roberts Post for its action i
seeking to place a strong man at tn
legion's head. He rightly says tina
''in this think every Legionnaire j
Delaware is in accord: such a leade
is badly needed, especially at a tim
like this, when the Legion activitit
seem to be lying dormant" Howeve
Captain Blackson raises the perth
ent question Of whether it would |
better to choose a native Delawares
nj this time. He frankly says tn;
there is no doubt in my mind b,
that DIR. Hullihen would make q
efficient State Commander (his var
GUS assignments bearing this out), b
II would seem that we should at lea
allow DIR. Hullihen time to becon
~ lilt StdbG ana DeIl
acquainted among the Legionnair
before proposing him for this ofiie,
As Captain Blackson is not a
quainted with DIR. Hullihen, the fo
mer's communication could
prompted by nothing but interest
the welfare of the American Legic
of which he is a valued member. A
of course it is needless to say tn
IL is the friends of DIR. Hulihen. a
not that gentleman himself, who a
sponsoring his name. We doubt
DIR. Hullihen knew of the inter,
in him until the action of the LAT
ence Roberts Post was promulgat
In the public press.
We are glad to know that a healt
interest is being taken in Legion
fairs. II speaks well for the orga
zation In this state. Knowing
Huilihen's qualifications. Every Ev,