Evening star., 1925-10-07
ASKS LEGION TO ACT.
Mitchell Sends Telegram to District
Comma nder.
sp.c,sI Di.p,,ch ,n Tn. Star

Special Dispatch to tn. Star
OMAHA. Sebr.. October =. - Col.
William Mitchell in a telegram to
Julius 1. Peyser. department com
mander Of the Department Of Dis
trict Of Columbia American Legion,
advises him that the time has come
when we must modernize our nation
means and organize IT In simple.
direct and efhcient manner"
This he continues. "can be
brought about by creating a depart.
ment of national defense. with sub
heads for the Army. Navy. and the
air 1t is one. of the broadest aues-
tions before the country today in the
interest NJ economy and ehiciency. II
is not question of persons or a
question of political party. 1t i.
one which concerns the national se
curity Of this the greatest of all ma
tons.
The American Legion /. the insti.
tuition which should initiate the move
ment."
Some Opposition Seen.
A similar telegram was sent to Har-
Ian Wood and the contents have been
placed in the hands Of the committee
on aerona utics- "a resolution. on the
subject was in course Of preparation
and will probably be presented to the
convention. There is. considerable, op-
position in some quarters. as II is not
felt the convention now in session
should take any action prior TO the
presentation TO the President Of the
report Of the aircraft board recently
appointed by him. While it Is the
general consensus Of opinion that
Mitchell In right 70 far as'his principle
40 l.
concerned. everywhere there is con
demnation among Legionnaires for his
lack Of military tactics. Every one
thought that President Coolidge would
allude TO the air controversy In his
speech before the convention yester-
day, but in this they were disa ppointe ed.
Asks for Assistance.
Last night Depa rtment Comma nder
feyeer received telegram from Rep
resentative Frank r. Reid. who has
been retained as one Of Mitchell's at
torneye, appealing to him. TO get the
conyention TO participate in his DE-.
tense. In his telegram. hS SAYS: The
natinnsl questions involved in his
court.martial make ii imperative that
American Legion participate in his
defense. The Legian,' he continues,
can supply many witnesses and much
nldbtTNl evidence IN MS Den6i III a no TOT
the national welfare.
Representative Reid suggests the
appointment Of lawyers by the Legion
10 assist in case OF trial. He asks to
he advised Of lawyers and commit &c
members selected in order that he
may arrange for a conference. The
50 me telegram was sent to the nationa !
adjuta Mt. and Commander Peyser ad-
vised The Star correspondent that no
action was taken by that ofiicial.
Rumor has IT that Past National Com
nnander Alvin NJ. Owsley Of Texas Ia
expected to stampede the convention
in connection with the Mitchell Incl
dent, as he In an ardent admirer Of
the air officer.
Turn to Business.
The reception to President and
Mrs. Calvin Coolidge over. the legion
naires. in seventh annual convention
assembled. today turned their atten-
tine business. The District delega-
ton participated in the Coolidge fes-
tivities here yesterday and also
marched in the 10-mile parade. Ma
tional Comdr. Jim" Drain. who halls
from the District. was particularly
sratifed at the wonderful reception
given him by the citizens OF Omaha
ana the WHO panQemonlnm Whfch
reiyned when President and Mrs.
Coolidge arrived at the Auditorium
Yesterday morning. The entire stage
front was lined with cameras and
movie operators. who stood on the
nresf stands. The President faced
he2barrage for several minutes be-
fore Con1dr. Drain raped tor order
Several times during his address the
convention went wild. with Jim"
Drain as cheer leader. He put
things over In good shape, and.
backed by his thousands Of legion
naires Gin session. gave the President
4 reception he won't soon forget.
Mrs. Drain accompanied the Presi.
dent and Mrs. Coolidge on the trip
from the Natfopal Capital.
The 10-mile parade in the afternoon
was viewed by President Coolidge. The
District delegation was in the line Of
r>-rch hAaded ny the Vircent r Cos.