Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-09-27
MITCHELL IS GUEST
OF OVERSEAS MEN
Attends Barbecue Given by
Legion Organization and
Takes Part in Parade.

Comrades of Col. William Mitchell
who served with him in the great
American Army raised in 1917 and
1918, gave a more personal touch last
night to the vociferous welcome he re-
ceived Friday night on his arrival at
the Union Station.
Col. Mitchell was the guest and cen
ter of parade and barbecue arranged
by the Forty and Eight, Noiture IA,
of Washington. He joined enthusiastic
cally in a parade from the Municipal
Building to the Keane farm at Eight
zenith street and Benning road. Seated
i'll an open hack, a reminder of the
days before the automobile, while
waiting for the parade to start, Col.
Mitchell held an impromptu reception.
Scores of friends of the former assist
ant chief of the Army Air Service
gathered about the barouche in which
he sat, smiling and shaking hands.
Among them We're Commissioner Cuno
Fl. Rudolph and other District officials.
Colonel Talks Freely.
Col. Mitchell talked about every
thing but the Air Service and the par
ticular mission on which he comes to
Washington. He spoke freely on any
subject but that touching the testi-
mony he is scheduled to give on Tues
day before the Presidents air board
and gave some of his private views on
official matters, requesting, however,
that he be not quoted.
Rising to thank his hosts just be-
fore leaving the barbecue, Col. Mitchell
praised the legion. paying particular
tribute to the organization in Texas,
where he is stationed, saying that vet
Grams there are doing great work.
He had nothing to say though as to
prospective developments in the air
inquiry. but said, THE national de-
Tense will be improved in every way
and in every department Of the Gov
eminent"
Col. Mitchell left the merrymakers
early, explaining he intended to return
to his hotel, where he was confronted
with sufficient work to keep him busy
until after midnight.
Seated with Col. Mitchell in the
barouche as it wound it's slow way
down Pennsylvania avenue, up the
hill around the Capitol and out Mary
land avenue to the Keane farm. were
DR.. B. f. MacNeill, chef de care of
the Forty and Eight, Capt. Julius I.
PeySer, department commander of
the American Legion in Washington,
and w. f. Franklin.
Going to Middleburg.
Col. Mitchell said he was not sure
when he would carry out his
previously announced plan of going to
Middleburg, Va, to spend few hours
on his country place in the Valley Of
Virginia, but said he wanted to get
away from Washington for short
rest. Earlier in the day Mrs. Mitchell
said she and Col. Mitchell would go
to Middleburg today.
Preceding the barouche containing
the former assistant air chief was the
fife and drum corps Of Vincent b.
Costello Post, while behind the car
riage of Col. Mitchell walked four
score legionnaires in civilian clothes
some of them from McGroarty-
O'ConneH Post. Arriving at the
Keane farm the entire party gathered
around half-dozen pigs already
roasted, and dined on pork and corn
on the cob.
The air board was not In session
yesterday, but 1t was learned that Col.
Mitchell will be the last of the 10
Army officers called to be heard. 1t
having been decided to put them on
the stand in the inverse order of their
rank.
Col. Mitchell occupied himself most
of yesterday with preparation of the
testimony he will give before the
air board. He said he had brought a
yoluminous mass of data with him
from Texas, and would have much
work to do whipping this material
into shape. He spent most of the
afternoon at the Air Service offices,
visiting old friends and working on
his testimony.