Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18

n SNORT business session was held
after which the post adjourned and 80
members attended the smoker Of Front
Line Post. The next regular meeting
Of Potomac Post will be held May 20
at Northeast Temple, Eighth and r
streets northeast.
Post Auxiliary, No. 1885 met Thurs
day at Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
Club. Three new candidates were
initiated into the auxiliary: Mrs. p. c.
Wheeler, Mrs. Lodge and Mrs. A. Gun
Their. The hospital committee visited
Naval Hospital Mothers day and gave
q number of Mothers day cards to the
boys to send to their mothers. It was
planned to visit regularly some hos
pital where card parties and socials will
be held. The president, Mrs. Ida En-
inert, announced the peoples would be
given out at the next regular meeting,
May %. Mrs. Lola B. Heise, chief Of
staff, talked on the formation of q de-
partment for the auxiliaries of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Potomac Auxiliary
went on record as favoring a depart
ment After the business session a So
cial was held for the auxiliary.
Front Line Auxiliary held its regular
meeting last Monday evening at Sol
diers, Sailors and Marines Club,
Eleventh and L streets, with all officers
present. Mrs. Clay Keene Miller, chair
man of the national legislative commit
tee; Mrs. Lola B. Haise, chief of staff
for the District of Columbia; Mrs. LII
liam Strouse, national color bearer; Mrs.
Margaret Jacobson, past chief of staff
and Mrs Harold Binley of Erie, Pa,
made addresses.
Plans were made for a visit to ward
H of Naval Hospital tomorrow at $50
pm, when cigarettes, smoking tobacco,
earphoneS and magazines will be dis
tributed A donation was also made for
food for a needy family whom the
auxiliary has been aiding during the
past year. The auxiliary is planning q
show to be given at Mount Alto Hos
pital May 81 for the entertainment of
the patients there.
Mrs. Clay Keene Miller is chairman
of the hospital and relief committee.
Mrs. Virginia Cercell, chairman of the
poppy committee, is making plans for
the sale Of peoples during the annual
poppy drive, beginning May %.
Following a business meeting the
auxiliary served refreshments to the
members of Front Line Post and visitors
Follow Me Post, No. 1880, held its
first social meeting at the home Of
Comrade Henry Ewing last Thursday.
A short business meeting was held prior
to the social. Refreshments were served
and the center of attraction was q large
cake made by Mrs. Millebrandt with the
inscription Follow Me Post. $780," The
cake was cut by Comdr. Kelly.
Through the efforts Of the national
legislative committee of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, the first enlisted man
to lose his life in the World War is to
be recognized by the Congress. He was
John L. Eopolucci, chief boatswain's
mate (first claSs) in the United States
Navy.
Eopolucci enlisted in 1907 as an ap-
prentice seaman, and was advanced to
boatswain's mate on the U. S. s. DOL
phin, the Secretary of the Nays boat.
Six days before the state of war was
actually recognized and while this coun-
try was in state of armed neutrality,
Eopolucci was transferred, with IL other
men, under Comdr. Gresham to COM
nand the armed guard on the merchant
ship Aztec. At $50 pm. on April /,
1917. the Aztec. then on the coast of
France, was torpedoed.
Eopolucci, after assisting Comdr.
Gresham and the Regular Navy people
into one of the lfeboats, proceeded to
assist the other members of the ships
crew into another hfeboat. and was seen
to pull OF. They had suficient water
and supplies to last them q week.
Congress on April 6, 1917, formally
declared that a state of war existed be-
tween the United States and Germany,
and the war risk insurance act went
into effect as Of that date, which auto
matically granted $1,000 insurance to
either the widow or the mother Of de-
ceased veterans. While Comdr. Gresh-
ANS boat was rescued the next day,
nothing was ever found or heard of the
boat containing Eopolucci, but 1t was
presumed that the occupants were able
to exist for q number of days.
Several bills and attempts have been
made to bring relief to this mans
mother, who also lost her other son In
the Argonne on September 28, 1918.
After making several attempts before
the various committees In Congress.
Capt. Edwin s. Bethlehem, IT,, national
legislative chairman of the Veterans Of
Foreign Wars, assisted by Mai. James
w. Boyer. chairman of the C. M. T. c.
committee, conducted hearing before
the committee on war claims of the
House OF Representatives on May 6, and
as the result the committee has favor
ably reported the bill for action.