The Ely miner., 1930-02-28
JOHN H. DARLING
SIXTH MEMBER
SEVERAL FROM HERE ATTENDED
THE HALL OF FAME DINNER IN
DULUTH-NATIONA COMMAND
Err TELLS GATHERING OF UN-
IVERSAL DRAFT PLAN.

Anderson, Mrs. II. w. Hanson, Mrs.
John Gianotti and Mrs. Peter Schaefer
attended the Hall of Fame dinner in
Duluth Monday evening and before
that having attended the meeting of
the Eighth District Legion and Aux
iliary held during the afternoon.
John H. Darling of Duluth was
chosen as the sixth member of the
Hall of Fame and his picture will hang
in the new city hall alongside of A. H.
Comstock, w. A. McGonagle, Bert E.
Onsgard, F. w. Payne and B. j. Enger,
the five chosen in previous years.
Mr.. Darling's election to the Hall of
Fame was made for his creation in
1929 of the Darling Trust fund for the
perpetual care and management of the
Darling observatory, which he founded
more than 10 years ago,
"ThiS honor will add rosy tinge
to the remaining years of my life"
Mr.. Darling told the gathering after
A. B. Kapplin, originator of the Hall
of Fame idea, had announced his
election. In brief acknowledgment
of the honor Mr.. Darling said that the
pleasure he had given Duluthians and
other visitors through his observatory
had been honor enough for his interest
in astronomy"
He was chosen as the most out
standing citizen for 1929 out of 16 men
and women nominated by the entire
community during the last two
months.
Nominations were opened early in
January and the names submitted by
various community groups and indiv-
idualS. He was elected by represent
atives of 20 organizations Friday night
but formal announcement was with
held until Monday.
0. L. Bodenhamer, national COM
mander of the American Legion, was
speaker, marking the sixth appearance
of national commanders at the Hall of
Fame dinners. Among the other
guests at the dinner were Earl v. Cliff,
Ortonville, commander of the state de-
partment of the Legion; Mrs. A. E.
Amundson, Little Falls, president of
the state ladies auxiliary; DR.. H. W..
Schmitt, Hibbing, grand chef de gare
of the State Forty and Eight; R. F..
Hoehle, past commander of the Wis
consin department.; Mrs. j. M. Bishop,
Thief River Falls past president of the
state auxiliary; Arthur Peterson, pres
ident of the Minnesota department of
the Veterans Of Foreign Wars, and
Charles O'Connor, president of the
Minnesota department of the Disabled
Veterans of America.
Commander Bodenhamer in his ad-
dress spoke on the universal draft or
mobilization plan for immediate use In
the event war comes to America.
1.-The American Legion" Mr.. Bod
enhamer said, "iS in favor of the prin-
ciple known as the universal draft,
which would bring into the services of
the nation in the event of war all
needed capital and materials as well
as man power, because it would be a
safe and sane insurance against war;
because its existence would not cost
this nation one dollar; because 1t
would retard our own nation from de-
claring war due to the fact that profit
would be eliminated, and because VIC
tory would be assured if war is forced
upon us.
1.-The Reed Wainwright resolution"
he continued, (which the Legion pre-
pared, and which has been introduced
in congress, if adopted, would create
commission of members of the house
of representatives and the senate, to-
gether with representatives of the diff
ferent elements of American life and
businss, for the purpose Of studying
this universal draft problem. This
commission, after thorough invest
igation and study, would recommend
for the consideration Of congress, a
plan. If this plan should meet with
the approval of congress, then it would
be written into law and made part
of our national defense policy"
Regarding other phases of the cur
rent program of the Legion, the nat
ional commander said: II could have
no greater ambition, and could per-
form no greater service, than to cause
you, as the red-blooded men and
women of this great state, to pause for
moment, and study some phases OF
the work the American Legion is
trying to do, and is doing, today
"As you know, the Legion was
formed partly for the purpose of taking
its place in the work of reconstruction,
which followed the great conflict. The
problem of rehabilitation for our dis
abled was of primary Importance. The
welfare of the sick and wounded held
the tender consideration of Legion
leaders from the very founding of the
organization. The welding back to-
gether of the broken cords of 100000
returned soldiers was task which
was met by the Legion, with the firm
hand of patriots. Where other
countries succumbed to the discomfort
and unemployment of their returned
soldiers, America, through the inf1u-
ence of the Legion leaders, and through
the propaganda of it's outstanding
statesmen, America, I say, marched
down through the years OF rebuilding
and readjustment without vital mis-
hap to the government or, to any of
its component parts
while politicians and f1nanciers
were talking about the dollars nee
essary for rehabilitation and compen-
sation, the Legion was building sent
iment and was fostering legislative
program which have continued to pro-
duce generous revenue for the care OF
our disabled and their dependents. To-
day, the veterans of the World War
are the beneficiaries of the most liberal
government and of the best equipped
hospitals in the world, and yet, there
is much to be done. Still, additional
hospitals are necessary.
"The Rodgers bill, which was con-
tanned in the hospital legislation en-
acted by congress just before Christ
mas. carrying with it the authoriz-
alton for hospital construction total
ing $15950O00 is less than half what
the Legion is urging to be passed by
this session of congress on behalf Of