The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1921-07-14
LEGION LEADER I
SEES MR.. HARDING
COMMANDER EMERY GREATLY
INTERESTED IN WORK OF RE-
cRUITING RESERVES.
OBJECTS TO A SMALL ARMY
Voices Feeling Of His Organization In
Saying This Is SeIfishIy Placing the
Burden on the "Men Who Did II
Before"
BY EDWARD B. CLARK.


IA Washington. - John Fl. Emery,
wounded veteran of the great war
who has been chosen by the executive
committee Of the American Legion as
the organization's commander to fill
oVt the unexpired term of Col. #. W.
Galbraith, who met his death acci-
dentally recently, has been in Wash.
ington. With Col. Theodore Roosevelt,
assistant secretary Of the navy, he
called upon President Harding and
upon the officials Of the War depart.
fnent. 'sf+t ''" ''"4
Commander Emery, as are all LIE.
gionnaires, il much interested in thu
work soon to be undertaken Of recruit
ing the reserves Of the army, and In
forwarding pact of lasting good will
between the, civilians who fought In
the last war and the officers and men
iof the regular army.
Mr.. Emery was wounded In the left
arm in France, so badly wounded that
he has comparatively little use Of the
injured member today. He regrets
apparently that this physical disabil.
ity prevents him from accepting com
mission in the reserves of the United
States army.
/ had a talk with Commander EN-.
cry. He spoke as one Legion member
to another. He epitomized the lesson
which think 1t is the desire Of the
American Legion officials to see full.
filled in spirit and in truth in the
ranks Of the former soldiers.
Would Be Soldier Citizens.
He said, eve were known as citizen
soldiers; hope that we will be known
now as soldier citizens" This breathes
the spirit Of the service which seems
to be in the hearts Of the Legi0maires
today.
American Legion officials are inter.
ested deeply in the recent legislation
which cuts the American army to
force Of 10000 men. OF course nc
Legion man thinks that an army o1
this size Is sufficient for the needs of
the republic, even in peace times. They
feel also that the cut reflects what
to the Legionnaires seems to be thu
selfish feeling of the law makers
that If war comes, and there is not an
adequate first line of defense force
| In the regular army, the men "Whd
did it before" will instantly be will
ing to do it again.
OF course, as the ex-s0ldiers seem
to view it, the men Of the Legion and
of other veteran organizations patriot
| ically will offer their services to do II
again, hut nevertheless there Is feel
ing that the million young men VINO
come 70 military age every year in this
republic, and the vast crowd Of slack
ers In the last war, might be compelled
If unhappily war should come, to take
on a part of the first burden which
| the belief is, will be certain to fal
under coming conditions to the lot O.
the former fighters to assume.
When it was proposed Under the las
administration to maintain regulal
army Of 2sO,OOO, the proportion Of IL,
/ 900 commissioned officers was fixet
as being proper. The army has beer
reduced to 10000 men, 10000 les:
than the number originally contem
1 plated. Now 1t is said that congress
4 possibly may legislate large mum
ber Of regular army officers out o
their commissions.
! Fight Against Fewer Commissions.
1t can be said from first knowledg'
that the War department, and this o
course means the, administration, vii
resist any attempt to deprive SOM
thousands Of young Americans OF thei
commission In the regular army. Their
are today 1900 such commissioners
officers, for the force never wa
brought up to the strength conten'
plated when the proposal for an arm,
of 2SO.OO0 men was made. Admitted
:. ", however. an army Of 160. 900 woul'
be over-commanded II $4,000 oficer
were assigned te1 active duty Wit
the troops.
The contention " the War depar
4 i...s.eentt ...s.eentt Il i, however. that even with th
J, reduced number of men IN the rank
there win not be- too many commits
stoned officers II the present number
n 1900, Ii kept ats work. Itssis sal
there Is plenty 70 be done By that pa1
of the commissioned personnel whic
4 d not serving actively with u