South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-01-16
Elk SERVICE men
MEET MACNIDER
ON HIS ARRIVAL
Crowd Gathers at Station to
Welcome Commander of
American Legion.
PARADE THROUGH CITY
Studebaker Band Heads Pro-
cessiOn Through Business
Section of South Bend.

More than 500 eN-SeryiCe men
braved the cold blasts yesterday at
ternoOn 10 welcome Col. Hanford
MacNider, national commander OF
the American Legion, when he
stepped off the train at the New
York Central station.
Long before 3 O'Clock men and
women and children wended their
way toward the station t. get a
glimpse OF the youngest national
commander of the American Legion.
a few minutes after O'Clock. a
telegram was received by the sta
ton master stating that the colonel
would not arrive until asp. as he
was unable to make connection at
Muncie in time to get the train he
originally planned to take.
The long wait did not dampen the
ardor Of the former doughboys and
all that were able to do 50 stuck to
their guns and whiled away the
time recounring the program Of en-
tertainment TO be provided for them
tonight by the city at the Oliver
hotel
Gathering Increases.
If anything the later arrival in
creased the gathering and made
them more curious. The StUdebaker
band patiently awaited the 1852
train, ready to serenade the famous
guest. AS the train drew in, the
crowd surged down the TRACK in an
effort 10 obtain a close up view.
Some distance down Col MacNider
stepped OF the train and a few
minutes later was recognized by the
waiting committee. a. r. Erskine,
A r. Macdonald, Otis Romine,
Col. c. S. Bullock. accompanied by
the American Legion color bearers,
r. 4. Beck, w Q. Johnson, Edward
Flick and Frank WOofter. officially
welcomed him 20 the city.
Col. MacNider seemed surprised
at the ovation he received and Of
fered an apology to the waiting
throng for being compelled to
change his original plans. 1T is
evident that have spoiled a Sun
day afternoon for a large number"
the colonel said. but in their desire
to shake hands with MIN the ex-
soldiers did not hear him. While he
renewed old acquaintance. the band
played. Hail TO the Chief.
Form Big Parade.
4 parade formed at the station
and 10 the tunes Of Hail, Hail. the
Gangs All Here" proceeded to
Main street. Men, women and chill
dren fell in behind the band, fol-
lowed by automobiles bearing Col.
NacNfder, A. Z. Erskine and party.
American Legion and Veterans OF
Foreign Wars committees. Swing
ing into Main St, the American
anthem was played while the gath
ering cheered.
At Division st. the band and
marchers separated, forming a guard
of honor, while the automobiles pro
ceeded to the center of the city
Col. MacNider and party then drove
to the home Of A. r. Erskine
whose guest he Will be during his
stay in the city. At the Erskine
home last night a supper was ten
dered in honor of Col. MacNider
Other guests present were A. r
Macdonald and Col. George Freyer-
muth. past commanders II the
American Legion and present COM
mander OTIS $, Ronine.
MacNlder Gives Interview.
Later in the afternoon in an in
terview with newspaper men. Col.
MacNider gave a brief history OF
the American Legion's stand con-
corning organized labor. He stressed
the fact that the Legion is not OPP
Continued on page four.)