Evening star., 1937-09-23
LEGION CONDEMNS
ENEMIES OF U. S.
Hits Communism and Fas-
cism and Urges Larger
Army and Navy.

ciSm and Urges Larger
Army and Navy.
BULLETIN.
NEW YORK. September % (P).-
Daniel ]. Doherty, 43-year-old Wo-
burn, Mass, lawyer, who served
IT months in the American Navy
during the World War, was elected
national commander of the Amer
lean Legion today.
BY the Associated Press
NEW YORK, September 23.-The
American Legion today reaffirmed its
opposition to all fascist and communist
enemies of the American constitutional
system OF government, recommended
a bigger Army and Navy and urged
the necessity Of protecting personal
and property rights in all industrial
disputes between capital and labor.
The 1889 delegates, apparently re-
covered from the fatigue of Tuesdays
long March in Fifth avenue. met in
the Metropolitan Opera House under
the Craftsmanship Of Harry w. Col
merry, national commander.
They adopted, by unanimous vote,
the report OF the Americanism Com
mittee, comdemning and opposing all
alien organizations which in our coun-
try promote loyalty to some other gov
ernment or system" and requesting
that Congress Investigate and make
public its findings on organizations in
the United States which are militantly
serving Germany. Italy, Russia, Spain
or any other alien power or system"
Deportation Urged.
The report also urged legislation to
punish American citizens who advo-
cate the overthrow of our Government
by force, fraud or violence. and the
deportation Of all aliens who advo-
cate such tactics.
In a resolution, termed defense of
American rights" the Legion voted
to reaffirm its belief in the defense of
certain basic American rights and
personal liberty, private property. re-
ligious freedom, home and family, con-
tract rights and obligations" and the
enforcement by law of such rights
These rights. the resolution said
are the basis of Americanism." I'VE
view with deep concern" the resolu-
ton went on, "the increasing disre-
gard of fundamental legal rights and
remedies in industrial diputes between
organized capital and organized la
Dor, and we urge upon the public opin-
ion Of America, the necessity of restor-
ing Immediately and maintaining
the rights Of personal liberty and
private property in such disputes. as
these rights are established by law
and may and should be adjudicated by
the courts of America
Adopt Defense Program.
The delegates, meeting in the final
session Of what has probably been their
greatest convention. adopted with
whoops and shouts the report of the
National Defense Committee, recon-
mending, among other things:
Making the export of helium gas il
legal and placing its control under the
War Department.
An increase of $4,000 men and 500
officers in the Army in order to
strengthen anti-aircraft defenses.
determination of Army equipment
and the creation of reserve equipment.
Increase in anti-tank and anti
aircraft equipment and the gradual
accumulation of ammunition to supply
1000 600 men in the field.
Extension Of the r. o. T. c. to all
colleges and schools desiring it, with
a six-week training period.
A citizens military training camp
for $4,000 men annually.
Increased coastal defense.
Support of the War Departments
plans for industrial mobilization.
Additional funds for aviation re-
search.
Construction of training airship
similar to the dirigible Los Angeles.
800 Army Planes Annually.
Addition of 800 Army planes an
nually over five-year period. with
ultimately 1853 serviceable planes on
hand.
AT least one well equipped flying
field in every strategic area. Exten-
sion of every reasonable assistance tc
commercial aviation.
An additional 10000 men in the
National Guard, with 48 paid armory
drills every year.
A naval auxiliary of merchant ships
The resolution calling for a bigpe,
Navy urged feet second to none
| and a Marine Corps Of officers and
men equal to one-fifth the strength
OF the Navy, an adequate Naval and
Marine Reserve with 48 paid drills
annually. new Naval Reserve training
ships to replace obsolete ones, addi-
tional nautical schools, the establish
ment of merchant marine academies
and establishment of R. o. T. c. naval
units in land grant schools
Doherty Has Lead.
Daniel Doherty, Boston attorney
NANAiiSN eAiAA oPPdl Siitly IjdN d COIIl
manding lead over four other lawyers
in a lively scramble to succeed Harry
Colmery Of Topeka, Kans., as com.
| mander.
His closest rival, Ray Kelly, cor
poration counsel of Detroit, waged 9
last-minute campaign to win over
enough delegates to gain the election
scheduled for this afternoon.
The issue was complicated by the
first spirited fight ever waged TO,
chaplain. In the past each candidate
| for commander has entered a full
slate of officers, including chaplain
Election of the commander virtually
| decided who would be chosen to fill
| the other Offices.
Charge Vote Trading.
Charges of vote trading by hackers
| OF the four candidates for chaplain
created a situation which probably
will result in balloting for chaplain
| independent of the race for COM
mander None Of tho forr 1oorJiyo