Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-07
10000 VETERANS
-
IN LEGION PARADE
"Boys" of World War March
Through Streets Where Fight
for Liberty Began.
By the Associated Press.

Perhaps to the "boys" Of the Ameri-
can Legion, as they swung along today,
their heads high. their faces cleaning
with the memories of '18, there was
little thought for the boys of rs. But,
about them as they stepped briskly
through the streets of historic old
Boston, there was much to remind them
of the men who fired the first shots
Tor the liberty for which they fought
nearly century and half later.
: Past old Boston Common, which
echoed to the imprisoned cries of
Revolutionary orators; oveT Beacon Hill
and down the hill beside the weather.
stained walls of Kings Chapel, where
the soldiers of Great Britain worshiped,
they marched today, surrounded by the
ghosts of the past.
They swung beneath victory arch
that turned their faces toward Faneuil
Hall, cradle of liberty and trod the
spot where British rifles cracked in the
Boston massacre" The rampant uni
corns of the Old State House, from
whose balcony the Declaration of hide
pendence was read to the populace,
Razed down upon them as they passed,
as they have gaZed upon the marching
men of every war in the country's
history.
Greatest Parade of Veterans.
i
men of the Legion marched in what
their officers said was the greatest pa
Eade Of World War veterans greater
array than gathered in one marching
unit even during wartime days. From
10 o'clock, when the first units got
under way, there was no let up through
the day, and darkness was expected to
fall as the last rank reached the end.
They were there from Alaska to Pan
anna. from Maine to the Philippines, a
scattering few from the more distant
points, regiment or more from nearby
States. At O'Clock they began to form
and the first TO start had reached the
enc. of the five-mile route before many
of the delegations had gathered at their
starting points.
AT their head, as grand marshal. was
Paul v. McNutt of Indiana, past ma
tional commander; Maj. Gen. Clarence
r. Edwards of Massachusetts,, wartime
commander of the goth Yankee"
Division from New England, honorary
grand marshal, and William H. Griffin
Of Massachusetts,, past department.
commander, as chief Of staff, and their
aides Behind them, first of nearly 400
bands and bugle and drum corps,
marched the champion Legion Band Of
Electric Post 228 of Milwaukee, Wis.
Through Beacon street they climbed
beneath festooned arches up the slope
where the first of four reviewing stands
stood. Here were gathered State ON
GERS. At the City Hall was another re-
viewing stand for city ofacials.
Pershing Reviews Parade.
5. But it was the third stand on Ire
mont street that brought quickened
step and the snappy "eyes right" Of
every veteran. For here stood the man
who led them In France, Gen. Pershing.
In the stand with him were National
Commander o. L. Bodenhamer, Gen.
Henri Gouraud, bearded and crippled
French leader, and Maj. Gen. Sir Will
War Patrick Hurley and Secretary OF
che Navy Charles Francis Adams and
q group Of other distinguished guests.
As for the Legionnaires themselves
though their step was brisk and their
heads erect, the mark Of passing years
was evident in grazing hair and bulg-
ing waistcoats.
Though the blue overseas cap Of the
Legion was the general headgear, many
of the delegations sported gayer caps.
Sombreros hid the heads Of several
Western delegations, while the old tin
helmet was back, a blazing, shining
toppiece Of silvery nickel.
Heading the delegations was that Of
Alaska, followed by Canada, France,
Philippine Islands and Porto Rico. Then
came the States, with Arizona leading
%ne list and Massachusetts, as the host,
bringing up the rear with several thou
sand men in line.
AS they passed the fremont street
reviewing stand, they were greeted by
salutes from Commander Bodenhamer
and Gen. Pershing. Then they swung
down fremont street and finally
through to Columbus avenue, where
they passed the last reviewing stand,
before breaking up at Massachusetts,
avenue.
Turn Back on Business.
Legionnaires assembled In national
convention, turned their back on bust
ness today.
Breakfasts, dinners, sports and their
big parade occupied the attention of
the veterans and their auxiliary mem
pers.
The Chamber of Commerce gave
dinner to the distinguished guests of
the convention. There also were re-
Mobilization and child welfare, publicity
and radio breakfasts and one for the
auxiliary drill teams. The auxiliary
also planned a state dinner at night,
while the rest of the day boxing tour
nament, a dance and organization pa
rade filled the program. Most war
time units also chose the hours after
the parade for their reunions.
Again tomorrow the veterans will
take up business matters in the same
hall where yesterday President Hoover
called upon them TO continue and ex-
pand their campaign for better citi-
Eenship. Their entire attention will be
devoted TO important measures. Yes
terday they welcomed their old COM
nander, Gen. John j. Pershing; former
President COOLIDGE and war heroes of
most Of the allied countries.
Two Cities Bid for Convention.
The contest for the scene of the next
national convention narrowed down to
q fight between Los Angeles and De-
troit. These two cities were the only
ones to bid officially for the convention
before the Time and Place Committee.
Baltimore. Md, made bid for the con-
yention of 1882 and Chicago for 1888
Since the Legion rules require a city
bidding for the convention to present
certified checks for a substantial amount
Of money Portland, Greg, withdrew its
bid for the next years convention. The
Oregon representative explained that
his department had not prepared for
such a condition.
Wilbur M Brucker, Republican NOM
iaee for Governor of Michigan and a
delegate to the convention, presented
the claims of Detroit. He gave the
committee a certified check for SOS. 600
and exhibited sheaf of kilograms from
citizens and organizations asking that
Detroit be chosen.
He had a letter from Mayor Frank T.
Murphy, himself q Leglonnaire. asking
for the convention for his city. Brucker
said there would be $4,000 hotel rooms
available and showed an agreement
-