Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-18
BLUE-GRAY UNITED
UNDER "OLD GLORY"
At LEGION MEETING
Men Who Fought in Three Wars
Cheer Reunion Of North
and South.
WOMEN WANT $4,000 ARMY

New Orleans. Oct. ls.--Under a
canopy of 100000 red. white and blue
lights. flung like a huge flag over
New Orleans. the army of American
Legionnairee last night sang and
marched and played, even worshipped
The fourth annual convention had
reached its maximum Of enthusiasm,
and the merrymaking, informal but
impressive. rounded out an eventful
day.
Samuel Gompers. denouncing in
functions. Prohibition injunctions par
ticularly: San Francisco winning the
next convention. unreserved rtaise
from a dozen celebrities for aspira-
tions and achievements of the veter-
ans: dramatic moment when Blue
and Gray foes OF another day clasped
hands beneath the flag; cheers for
medaled heroes and foreign visitors.
plea by United states Commissioner
John J. Tigert for more universal
educa ton ae meane Ia more universal
| understanding. these were the high
Ilishte in The second day of the con-
! vention.
Women Demand Army.
Last night the Women's Auxiliary of
the Legion, also in convention here,
demanded that the government main
tain a Regular Army OF not less than
! $4,000. a National Guard adequately
equipped and trained and reserve
fully organized and ofTicered by gov
ernment appropriation.
The real thrill OF the day came when
North and South stood Reunited in
spsit before a common flag. General
Rush. Vice Commander OF tho Grand
Army Of the Republic. carrying his
years lightly, moved to- the front OF
the platform Sudden stiffness fell q
moment then the thousands burst in
| &c cheers,
Two great flags stood crossed above
the General From the rear of the
platform a veteran In Gray. bent with
years. moved slowly to the front. He
pushed open the folds OF the flag and
the hand of Captain William Bacon,
United Confederate Veteran, reached
out to grasp that Of General Russ For
IAN instant sons and grandsons of the
men who once met in fratricidal strife
looked on tensely.
Then the assemb'age leaped to, its
feet with ringing cheers that con-
tinued several minutes.
A Sacred Commission.
Gen. Russ handed on to the Legion
more than half century by the Civil
War veterans.
Mr. Gompers. President of the
American Federation of Labor, struck
especially attacked the Injunction OBJ
tanned by Prohibition officers against
soft drink stands in New Orleans dur
ing the convention But am
getting use TO them" he declared.
Mr.. Gompers praised the part OF
labor in the war. but repudiated the
report he had said labor won the war
He touched on activities of the Labor
Advisory Committee in obtaining bet
ter pay for service men, war risk In
surance and allotments 10 depen.
dents of soldiers in the war
Organized labor and the American
Legion have much in common, he
y declared; preservation Of freedom oi
q speech. press, assemblage and wor'
|
. They should Join force wherever prac-
! ticable for the purpose.
2 A beginning has already been made
in. Atlanta. Ga. said Mr.. Gompers
r after the meeting a joint body will bt
-established by Legion posts and tn,
Central Trades Council.
Begin at the bottom" he said, "ir
your own locality, as long as yol
maintain that friendly, fraternal re-
6 lation, working for the common good
d there will lie the force that can pre-
e apart.
PrO-Bonus Man For Chief.
Last night committees and caucase
were feverishly battering into shap
8 the programme and resolutions 70
J.. action of the convention. Incidental,
, they are striving to pick commando
d for the next year.
They are shaping up their fight
ing programme" for more thorough
attention TO disabled veterans AM
for a more strenuous fight for tn
bonus. A light wine and beer reso
y luton is under consideration and tn
. Ku Klux may get attention.
= No luke-warm pro-bonus man wi
:, be the next Comma nder of the Legior
II those supposed to be on the insid
can be believed, some business inter
ests are said to be lobbying here for
man who will not push the bonu
n fight. There are other lobbyists
e. Democratic. Republican and man
e kinds-but gossip gives more atten
e ton to the anti-bonus interests.