Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-21
Legion Sidelights

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, September 2I.--Montmartre
cafe proprietors say the Legionnaires
don't order much champagne, but
that they are welcome, just the same.
All agree that a very small percent
age of the 10000 or so American vet
Grams now in France have visited the
famous night life district. There were
only four buddies in the RAT Mort"
at l o'clock this morning, and they
seemed more interested in dancing
than in drinking.
The manager of the Moulin Rouge
says the boys come to look at the
show. but leave soon after. Joe Zellis,
Italo-American, who conducts an all
night dancing establishment, has sus-
pended the house rule, nothing but
champagne" in favor of the veterans
and even serves ginger ale.
The proprietor of Arsene's says the
Legionnaires don't go in for pate de
fo!e gras, caviar or other expensive
dishes, but they pay their bills.
A popular member of the Hollywood
Calf, delegation is "Cappy." other
and one of the most battle-scarred vet
Grams at the convention.
"Cappy" was wounded 81 times dur
ing the fighting in Belleau Wood
loosing a leg, and has since undergone
20 operations. He has missed only one
national convention, in 1926, and that
because he was in the hospital at the
time having his leg shortened another
inch.
He played the part of a French bill
letting officer in What Price Glory"
The French authorities established
an international police court" in
preparation for the convention. but 1t
has had little to do, although it sits
around the clock. Most of the cases
coming before it appear to be the re-
suit of attempts TO quench long
thirst in a short time. Legion repre-
sentatives sit with the judges, and the
fines have not been hard on the dough
boys pocketbooks.
The Legion is we'll supplied with
flags, but there Is one banner that 1t
will rest among its most cherished
treasures. 1t is a French tricolor, espe
cially made for the Legion and pre-
scented to it by the Association of
Holders of the French Croix de Guerre.
The presentation was made by Ad-
miral Guepratte, the associations
president. On the flag is inscribed:
Association des Croix de Guerre. a
la Legion Americana"
AS an Offset to this, Marshal Foch
has received an American gift. A
superbly upholstered chair. fine speci'
men of the craft of Grand Rapids,
Mich, was presented to him by Grand
Rapids Post at a pleasant little cere-
mony in the Legion hut.
Fully fifth of the messages filed at
the cable office in the Legion head
quarters are appeals for more jack. ;"
When asked as to the cause of their
shortage, some of the Legionpaires
answer "pocketbooks." but the high
cost of spending in France is held re.
sponsibls for most of the financial
stringency.
Legionnaire Burton is being kidded
by others of the Iowa delegation be-
cause he failed to correct M. Dou-
mergue when the French president re-
marked that he understood that Iowa
was a great wheat-producing area.
Burton should have replied. they in
sist that Iowa is "the greatest corn
State in the Union"
Exuberation gave way to deeper
feelings when party of Legionnaires
reached Verdun on a pilgrimage.
Don't cheer. boys" said one. "Half a
million men died here"
For the sixth time the band of Mona
han Post, Sioux City, Iowa, has been
chosen champion musical organization
of the Legion. The Columbus, Ohio.
band was a close second. Miami. Fla,
took the drum and bugle champion
ship.
The "Caseys"-Knights OF Columbus
are stamping and mailing 100000
not to mention 1000 or 5000 letters.
Even newspapers are turned into the
knights of Columbus free mailbag for
the folks at home.
One extremely efficient and indus
trious Legionnaires had a rubber
stamp made, reading: Having a fine
time Regards" followed by his
initials. Thus he is able to satisfy the
claims of friendship without en-
croaching too much on his time for
sightseeing.
Mrs. S. r. Beals, gold star mother
of New York, was visiting Notre
Dame Cathedral. when Cardinal Du-
bois, archbishop of Paris, happened in.
The attention of his eminence was
attracted to a small American flag
which she wore and he asked If he
might see it. Mrs. Beals explained the
significance of the colors and their
arrangement and banded it to him.
The cardinal reverentiy kissed the lit
, tie flag and returned it,
Mrs. Beals is taking it back with
her as a treasured souvenir.
National Comdr. Howard F. Savage
now is commander in mother legion
the French Legion of Honor. He is
so tall that upon receiving the collar
and cross of the order he had to stoop
far over to receive the kiss of the &C.
colade from President Doumergue.
The territory Of China is equal in
area to the whole of North America
Es.,Rv% II. ~.