The Washington times., 1921-11-03

existence OF the American Legion,
solidified II for all time to come
predict the ranks will swell with the
applications OF "A half million veter-
ans during the coming ninety days
The inspirati ton OF the great parade
the unrestrained hilarity OF the dough
boy on the Kansas City streets, ana
the constructive and useful work Oh
the delegates assembled In convention
will soon be told In a million Ameri-
can homes by the boys themselves.
Kansas City could rest on it's laurels
for many q day. But such people
as live here never rest or stop doing
things. Kansas City Is TO be compI-
mented above all on securing the
presence OF Marshal Foch and the
other distinguished guests who came
80 many thousand miles. 1t Is 10 De
complimented on the completion ana
dedication OF memorial that VIII
stand to the honor OF Americas dead
until the end Of time. II IL TO be
commended on presenting the nrst
aerial derby in connection with le-
gion convention. and the civic authori-
ties OF this marvellous city are not
only TO be praised for the conVen-
fences and arrangements OF the week.
but in a special manner they should
be thanked for the sane and tenn
perate attitude they manifested to-
ward the celebrating veterans.
No Misconduct Seen.
There were no harsh or unrcason-
able restrictions and consequently
there were no misunderstanding be-
tween the boys and the authorities.
There was indeed much noise and con.
tinual excitement, but of the brand
typical OF every American boy. Each
81 coll IN
after a hard-earned football victory.
There was shouting and showing and
monster crowds congregatinR in the
streets and hotel lobbies, but there
was no rowdyism or disgraceful con-
duct.
Some fellows. even with the best Of
intentions, sometimes exceed the
bounds of discretion. but no matter
what the situation or how badly the
temptation, the authorities main
tanned a policy of sensible tolerance.
The American Legion conventions
cannot be classified with any other
national gatherings. The boys with
their uniforms will always be distinct,
and ! think cities anticipate the con-
vention at any future date might well
investigate the methods of Kansas
City.
Whenever / recall this memorable
week | will think of great military
chiefs, a record. breaking parade shout
ing douRhboys, a memorable air meet.
nights that were turned into day with
noisy good-natured crowds and gilt
tcring signs of welcome.
Looks Into the Future.
As | watched and listened to the
lusty care-frce voices of these youth
full veterans, l pictured with difficulty
the day when white hair and STOPPING
shoulders will take the place OF what
we have today. Such a picture Is diff
cult TO visualize. but all too rapidly do
the years roll by. But. like the Grand
Army OF the Republic, once composed
of fiery youth, the American Legion,
jmbued with the same love of flag and
country, will carry on. and each sue
Ceeding year continue to exercise
great influence on the welfare OF these
United States.
Yesterday marked a notable step in
the history of American aeronautics.
The high chief Of the allied armies be.
came an honorary life member OF tho
Aero Club Of America.
As the fleet of motor cars transport
ing Marshal Foch and his party OF the
flying field sailed along the boulevard
and over the line into the State OF
Kansas, where the field is situated, an
aerial escort of honor swooped low
over our heads and wheeled into the
direction of the waiting thousands.
The marshal was the first in our
car to observe the aerial patrol. He
became intensely interested In the
skill and efficiency with which the
formation maneuvered in the sky, and
lifting his walking stick to his shoul.
der he pointed 1t at the planes. in
rifle fashion. with the exclamation.
What a target"
Aspired to Be Aviator.
That he Is an ardent advocate OF
aeronautics was emphasized In
novel manner when ne emphatically
remarked:
During the great war, had I been
a young man, l would have been sn
aviator"
The honor Of escorting Marshal
Foch to the air meet and OF presenting
him a gold membership card In the
Aero Club had been conferred on me.
and felt deeply anxious that all de.
tails Of the days program should un.
fold in perfect order. My first appre-
hension was relieved as we got
glimpse of the field, with over thirty
thousand people waiting 10 do the
marshal honor. Practically the only
manner of reaching the location Is by
bus or private automobile, and the
outpouring under the circumstances
was inspiring.
Thanks to the diligence and ability
of Col. r. b. Barnitz and his jealous
assistants, the remaining details were
equally as gratifying. The tire.
mendous gathering was orderly and
well handled; there were over three
hundred pilots in attendance, showing
their sustained interest in aviation;
there were more than seventy-five
planes In the air at one time or an.
other; and best OF all, there has not
been serious accident at any time
during the meeting.
Meet Was Successful.
These gratifying facts related to
the marshal. who was deeply pleased.
! shall always remember the aviation
meet at Kansas City as the most
successful I ever attended in Amer.
lea, and outside OF army training
fields, believe Il was tho greatest
demonstration ever held in this
country.
was by no means the only acee on
I