Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-11
SOJOURNERS VOTE
FOR CRUISER BILL
Officers Organization Pre-
sents Resolution to Presi-
dent Coolidge.

Close upon the heels of the meetings
here of the pacifiSt groups, who have
taken their fling at the Navy cruiser
bill now pending in the Senate, the
National Sojourners, an organization of
Masonic war veteran officers, today met
to take up the battle for the bill
The first gun in the defense of the
cruiser bill was fired when the COM
mittee of thirty-three and the national
officers of the Sojourners, representing
the 81 component bodies of the organi-
cation. passed resolution in closed
session at the Mayf1ower Hotel this
morning commencing President Cool
idge for his eSpousal of the cruiser bill
and citing the imperative need for the
cruisers at once.
Peace pact or no peace pact, the
situation is such the passage of the IS
cruiser bill at once is imperative for the
preservation of our dignity among the
nations when sitting at a council table,
the protection of our nationals abroad
when needed, the safety of our great
trade and commerce on the seven seas,
and we call on all patriotic citizens to
come to a realization of present co.ldi-
tons and assist in thwarting interests
we'll meaning or otherwise whose ac-
tons in our Judgment are dangerous
to the perpetuation of American insti-
tutions.'
Presented to President
The resolution was presented Presi-
dent Coolidge at the White House this
afternoon by the committee of thirty
three and the national officers. 1t
said, in part:
rfil i,NLa
of our President. Calvin Coolidge, made
in his Armistice day address as fol-
lows: We made altogether the heaviest
sacrifice in scrapping work, which was
already in existence. That should for
ever remain not only satisfaction to
ourselves. but demonstration to others
of our good faith i'll advocating the
principle of limitation, and it is
obvious that eliminating all COMPETE
ton, world standards of defense re-
quire us to have more cruisers.
I'VE view with alarm the past and
present actions of certain groups of
peoples, who are attempting to inter-
fere with such proper measures of ma
tonal defense and national security as
are required by the Constitution of the
United States" the resolution added.
Under the sponsorship of the So
journers, gathering of representatives
of patriotic organizations representing
practically the entire organized pro-
cruiser sentiment in the Nation was
being held this afternoon at the May
flower Hotel to draft resolution in
favor of the passage of the cruiser bill
for presentation to the naval affairs
committee of the Senate
The cruiser question took up prac-
tically the entire time of the closed ses-
sion of the committee at the Mayflower
this morning. The organization is here
in semi-annual session to discuss the
vital matters of national import which
have come up in the past half year.
Crime Question Studied.
The Nationwide crime question came
in for discussion this morning, shortly
before the Soiourners adjourned to pay
their respects to President Coolidge.
Methods of checking crime through the
raising of the standard of juries
throughout the Nation, through edcu-
cation of the Citizenry as to their
obligations to accept and willingly per-
form jury duty were discussed and
resolution was being drafted for sub
mission to the component organization
of the national body urging the educa-
ton of the people on jury duty.
Paul v. McNutt. national commander
of the American Legion, will be the
principal speaker at the annual BAN
quet of the local chapter of the Ma
tional SojournerS, to be held at the
Mayflower tonight. The national officers
and committee of thirty-three will be
guests at the banquet. Comdr. McNu.t
will speak on national defense and Sc
curity. and will particularly take up
the cruiser question.
In an address beforer the War College
at Washington Barracks this morning
Comdr. McNutt declared that the Army
and Navy justify their existence as edu-
cational institutions for the youth Of
the Nation, If for no other reason.
Comdr. McNutt scored the paciflst
groups which have been active against
the cruiser bill and other items of ma
tional expenditure for defense and
security, declaring the uniformed con-
stitute the greatest foes OF adequate
preparedness.
"One Of the rncst valuable contribu-
lions than an individual can make to
the cause OF national security he said,
sis to correct the propaganda and false
statements of those who misin-
formed or who do not have the good OF
the country at heart.
Weakness because of lack OF armies
and navies is more likely to invite at
tack. The Army and Nav. are instru-
ments OF peace They are called into
action only after statesmen and poll
ticians have failed in their efforts to
preserve peace. They are called into
action TO again restore peace"
At the Sojourners' banquet tonight
representatives of the principal pro-
armament organizations will be guests.