Evening star., 1933-10-06
LEGION ADJOURNS
TO WAR ON EVILS
Crime, Communism and De-
preston Chief Enemies
of Veterans Group.
BY the Associated Press.


CHICAGO, October 6-America's 8
legionnaires packed up their bags and
marched homeward today, determined
on three-fold peace-time war-against
crime, Communism and the economic
recession.
Under the leadership of tall attor-
ney of Decatur Ill.-Edward Hayes. now
AZ, an ensign at the Great Lakes Naval
Station during the war against Ger
many-the American Legion was def
nitely committed to aid the police au-
thorities in the suppression Of crime, to
oppose Communism and to help whip
the depression by supporting the N. r. A.
The Legion's views ON these and a va
riety Of other subjects, including re-
habilitation for disabled former soldiers.
were outlined in resolutions adopted
yesterday before adjournment Of its If
teenth annual convention, which meets
next year in Miami.
Calling upon the new national COM
mander to appoint a Law and Order
Committee to study the crime problem,
the Legion asked that this body devise a
plan whereby it could actively partici-
pate in the curbing of criminals, on
both a National and State basis.
State Committees Urged.
The anti-crime resolution also sug-
gested the appointment of State Law
and Order Committees to study the
crime situation in their communities to
report back at the next regular conven-
tions Of the State departments. Legis-
lation, both State and National, restrict
ing the possession Of machine guns, sub
machine guns and lethal weapons" to
the organized military and law enforce
ment forces, was suggested.
Meanwhile the Legion pledged itself
to an unqualified support and aid to
constituted authorities for the preven-
ton and suppression of crime"
Communism was dealt with in q
resolution calling for the deportation of
alien Communists, the refusal of entry
Of Communists into this country. and
the enactment Of laws to punish all
persons who advocate the overthrow Of
the Government"
At the same time diplomatic recog-
milton Of Russia was opposed. as was
the extension Of credit to that Govern
ment or its agencies.
Rehabilitation Program.
The Legion's rehabilitation program,
which requests free Federal hospitali-
zation for all veterans, even If their all
mcnts have been contracted since the
war, and its policy in favor Of strength
ening the Nations defense also were
approved.
The new commander said he would
stress the rehabilitation program and
the building up of the defenses Of the
Nation. and added that he planned to
call on President Roosevelt within the
next two weeks to lay the Legion s
action before him and ask his cooper
alton. In addition, he said he planned
a membership drive
Comdr. Hayes, who succeeds Attorney
Louis A. johnson of Clarksburg. w. Va,
is married and has four children. He
has had a wide experience In handling
rehabilitation policies for the Legion
He was the sponsor of the rehabilita-
ton program adopted by the Legion.
While he was taking over command
of the Legion's serious business, the
National Forty and Eight, fun making
group Of the organization, was selecting
Samuel r. Heller, 43, Of Norfolk. Va,
as its head.
Chef de Chemin de Fer.
Heller. the first of his State to be
so honored. was elected chef de chemin
DE Ter OF the organization as II wound
up its annual convention. Last year
he was vice commander and In his new
position succeeds John A. Eden,
Cleveland
Other officers named were: Vice
commanders. Chet j. Mello. Stockton,
Calf: Henry w. Plate. Bronx. NJ Y:
Emil F. Schall. New Haven. Conn: Fred
w. Fueckur Seattle: A. R. vegalues,
Fort Wayne. Ind. and Edward j. Bose
hult Lincoln. Nebr: treasurer. Fred
Nelson, Washington: conducteur ma
tional. Edward Kiefer, Miami Beach.
Fla: historien national. Paul ]. Nc
Gahan. Washington; chaplain, the Rev
Richard E. Evans. Wauwatosa, Wis !:
sergeants at arms. A. Vernon Hall,
Cincinnati, and Pierre Ledoux. Shreve-
port. La. and colorbearer, Monty
Nelson. White Lake. S. OAK
DR.. c. c. Hawke. national supervisor
Of American Legion musical contests.
announced that rehabilitation Of scores
in the Legion conventions band compe-
tition showed Denbv Post. Detroit, had
won fourth place. The place had previ-
ously been given to St Louis. Mo.
Final ranking, said Dr. Hawke, gave the
Detroit band a score of 924 and the
st. Louis band score of 1913.