Evening star., 1925-02-01
DRAIN ADVOCATES
| PEACE PATRIOTISM
american Legion Head
Speaks at Dinner to Vet
Grams of Three Wars.

An earnest appeal to the eX-service
snen of this country, especially those
members of the American Legion, TO
serve their nation with the same hon
esty of purpose and unselfishness In
time of peace as they did in the pc
riod of war was made last night by
Col. James A. Drain of this city, ma
1ional commander of the American
Legion.
The national commander said these
men have a great opportunity to
make the United States a better
country and to continue it in its
present strong and enviable position
among the nations of the world.
This appeal was made during the
course of an address at a banquet at
the Hamilton Hotel in honor of John
r. Quinn of California, Col. Drain S
predecessor as the head of the Le-
Gion, by veterans of all wars serving
in the Senate and the House of Rep
resentatives. The gathering, al
though not a large one, was d distin-
guished and interesting one.
Seek to Promote Patrfotism-
Col. Drain declared that those re-
sponsible for the direction of the
legion are endeavoring to impress
upon its members and upon those
contemplating becoming members to
think of their country in the same
noble spirit as they do in the face OF
war. He stated that 1t is the aim 10
have the legion do it's share toward
the betterment of the American Ma
tton. He deplored the fact that too
many men have joined the legion
solely for the purpose of self gain.
In this regard he declared that the
legion does not want that kind of an
organization.
He spoke strongly in advocacy of
a universal draft law, saying that
such a law would make citizens
think long time before they at
tempt to rush this Nation into war.
inasmuch as they would have to bear
their burden of the war whether or
not they are a part of the armed
service. He said he hoped also to
see the passage of the Lineberger-
Bursum bill providing retirement for
emergency officers.
Past Commader Quinn, because of
illness, was prevented from attending
this dinner in his honor, but he sent
a. his personal representative George
Hatfield of San Francisco, member of
the executive committee of the Le-
gion, who, after paying a tribute to
the work done by the past COM
mander in the interest of the ex-
service man, told how the latter has
of the country.
Veterans of Three Wars.
Representative Tom Connally OF
Texas presided as toastmaster He
called attention to the fact that there
were present veterans of the Union
and Confederate armies of the Civil
war, the Spanish War and the World
War. He said they were especially
fortunate to have at the banquet Gen
Isaac r. Sherwood of Ohio and Mai
Charles NJ. Stedman of North Caro-
Ina, the former, who fought under
Grant, and the latter under Lee, and
both, now members of Congress and
now brothers alike in the common
cause to guard and perpetuate this
republic"
Representative John c. Speaks OF
Ohio, who commanded a regiment In
the Spanish War, made an eloquent
appeal for peace. Others who spoke
were Col. Thomas w. Miller, alien
property custodian, and president OF
the lnter-Allied Veterans Federation.
Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines. director OF
the veterans Bureau; Senator Rice
W. Means of Colorado: Representa-
tive Royal c. Johnson of South Da-
kota- chairman of the new committee
In the House on world war veterans
legislation; Watson Miller of this
CITY chairman of the national com
mittee OF the American Legion on re-
haoilltation, and Representative John
RANKIN OF Mississippi, who gave a
euLogy In honor of the memory of the
late Representative Col Edward G.
Little of Kansas. and Thomas Kirby
OF the DISABLED Veterans Association