Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-09
$4,000 TO MARCH
IN LEGION PARADE
Second Day Program Of Con-
vention in San Antonio
Draws $4,000 Visitors.

BIZ the Associated Press.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, October a
Through f1Ag-draped streets OF this
Southwestern city. at whose nearby
training camps and Army posts many
of them first heard the terSe command
of attention" more than 10 years ago,
10000 Legionnaires prepared TO-DAY 10
march In review to the accompaniment
of martial music from 100 bands.
The parade, feature and sole buSi-
ness OF the second days program OF the
tenth annual American Legion conven-
ton, was the magnet that promised
to bring attendance to its peak.
Adding to the $4,000 distant visitors
estimated to be here now. hosts OF
south Texas residents poured into the
city today to witness the events.
Distinguished Men to View Parade.
Starting shortly before noon. march
ers will REQUIRE more than three hours
to pass one of several reviewing stands
erected near Texas shrine Of patriot"
ism. the Alamo, for c il. John J. PERISH
ins. Secretary of War Dwight Davis,
Field Marshal Viscount Allenby, Ma:
Gen. Henry T. Allen, commander OF
the Goth Division on the Rhine, ana
other distinguished visitors.
have been given vantage points to view
the pageant of rnarchers. Mothers,
wives and sisters of the LegionnaireS
have positions In the line of march.
The march climaxes the scores OF
impromptu and informal parades that
have been going on almost cor1tin-
uously since Sunday. Impatient to get
1t the serious business of passing In
review, detached units Of fun-seekins
soldiers have organized almost hourly
TO parade the street. each vieinE with
the last for bizarre marching effects.
Band at Head Of Each Group.
Led by one or more of the 100 bands
end drum corps available the marchers
trooped through hotel Hobbies and the
streets without discrimination. The
cavalry" frolicking. footsore infantry
men who leased tiny Mexican burros
for mounts, followed in the wake OF
each aSsemblAge.
visions of going over the top in q
storm of shot and shell still were fresh
In the minds today of Legion members.
memories of DAYS in the trenches hav-
ing been rekindled last night At a
eharn-battle In which infantry, tanks
and field artillery depicted actual
fitfating in France. Flares lighted the
seiy as cannon. machine guns, tanks
and all the implements of combat fle--
ured in the storning Of a position held
by enemy troops.
Opening the convention yesterday
National Comdr Edward e. Spafford
strongly advocated a universal draft
law and urged the convention to make |
passage Of such law major objec- |
tive. Mai. Gen. Frank T. Hines OF the |
Veterans Bureau reviewed progress in |
rehabilitation and hospital WORK. and |
Gen. John j. Pershing stressed Citizen |
ship rights.
The convention convenes again We'd
nesday.
Legion Politics" At Forefront.
In the midst of the round Of enter
Nainment arranged for the city's visitors
yesterday the wheels of Legion politics
were set In motion, snd definite lines
we're drawn for the contest Thursday to
elect national commander to succeed
Edward e. Spafford.
Belief that the race would result in
another siege Of protracted balloting,
such as occurred two years ago at Phila-
'dAlphia, was expressed widely as CAM
paigns Of half q dozen candidates took
tangible form.
Oklahomans were working diligently
IN behalf Of Gen. Roy Hoffman. for sew
eral wears an outstanding candidate,
who possesses q strong alignment OF
DELEGATES. Likewise friends of Gen. AL
bert L. Cox of North Carolina announced
considerable strength. and sponsors OF
Capt John D. Ewing of Shreveport, La, |
were enthusiastic as to their candidates
chances.
From Ewirgs neighboring State Of
Arkansas halls another seeker OF the !
post. o. L. Bodenhammer OF FL Dorado. |
The District of Columbia organization |
ie interested in the candidacy OF Julius
I. Peyser Of washington.
Active campaigns also are being con-
Quoted for Paul v. McNutt Of Indiana.
j. Monroe johnson OF South Carolina
and Ralph O'Neil of Kansas
Here TO combat nti-French propa-
gAnda which he believes is rampant in
America, Maj. George Scapini, blind
war hero and member of the Leeisla-
tlire Of his country. declared yesterday
that France should be Americas clear
ing house in Europe.
Mai. Scapini is d guest of honor at
the Legion convention.
"I am here 10 light for France" he
said. I'VE. who served with the Ameri-
cans at the. front, will never allow TO
slAckerI the ties that bind us to them.
If possible we want to establish still
closer relations. Without malice toward
any one, We want to capture America
good will and cooperation, We think
we have some claim to II"
The Distinguished Service Medal OF
the American Legion. highest honor
that members Of the former service
mems organization can confer. was pre-
seflted Field Marshal Edmund Henry
Hynn1an Allenby Of Great Britain by
National Comdr. Spafford at the Legion
yesterday.
While Legionnaires stood on their
feet and cheered Justify. Comdr. Spaf-
ford pinned the award on Lord Allenby
with the statement: ut Is great
pleasure to honor you In this manner
the last Of the crusaders"
The British and American Legfons.
children of the World War. will be big
factors In establishing peace with honor
for all time, the Britisher declared.