Evening star., 1937-08-13
TWO IN HOT RACE
TO HEAD LEGION
Mason and Bush 0utstand-
ing Candidates
Opens Convention.


Friendly but spirited rivalry for the
coveted post of department commander
of the American Legion will come to
= climax tonight at the Mayf1ower
Hotel with nomination of the two out
standing andidates-Thomas Mason,
jr. and Porter L. Bush
Mason, who is department adjutant,
Is member of I'd Division Post, while
Bush, member of Lincoln Post, has
been department senior vice COM
mander. The real fight in the conven-
tion is between these two, according
to reliable indications, although others
mentioned for the post have been
Joseph L. Koehl of Agriculture Post,
Charles L. Daily of Treasury Post and
Charles Kohen Of Costello Post. The
convention will close tomorrow night.
One Fight Averted.
Resolutions also will occupy prom
tnent role in the program, which is
scheduled to begin at 7:30 O'Clock.
One controversial element appeared
today to have been eliminated by the
Resolutions Committee According to
authentic information the Resolutions
Committee. headed by Gen. Amos A,
Fries. already has tabled proposal
sent up by Victory Post criticizing Col.
John Thomas Taylor, director of the
National Legislative Committee. who
now is in Europe. Taylor's friends
we're planning bitter attack on the
resolution if it had reached the floor
of the convention.
The department convention opened
with a blaze of color and blare of
many bands last night. A picturesque
parade, including several visiting units,
filed through the downtown area from
Pennsylvania avenue to the May
flower Hotel Headed by Col j. NJ
Wainwright, commandant of the Sd
Cavalry. Fort Myer, as grand marshal
and contingent of Cavalry and Artil-
lery from that post, the parade of
eight divisions was reviewed from a
stand in Farragut Square by Louis
johnson. Assistant Secretary Of War,
Gen. Frank T. Hines, administrator
of veterans affairs: j. Fred johnson,
national vice commander of the Amer
lean Legion. who later delivered the
principal address of the evening; De-
partment Comdr. Horace w. Lineburg
with his staff. and group of other
distinguished guests.
Universal Draft Urged.
In his address the national vice
J1I rs OF
on the universal draft bill, which has
been reported to both Senate and
House He expressed the belief ma
Iority of Congress favors the measure
but criticized "pacifists and interested
industrialists" for alleged attempts to
block the move to bring it to vote.
The bill, johnson declared, was the
Legion's answer to the fact that dur
ing the war "munition workers were
paid $40 day for making bullets
while you were paid 81 day for
stopping bullets"
The speaker outlined the Legion
policies against Reds "subversive
agencies" and warned Americans to
keep cool" and observe personal at
titudes of neutrality" in order to
stay out of the quarrels of the Old
World" He praised the patriotism of
returned American World War SOL
diers, who. he said, had not turned
against their Government, as had
some other World War soldiers in
other countries.
Denies Economy Peril.
Gen. Hines announced that by July
OF next year the Veterans Admins
tration will have 5000 additional beds
available for veterans, bringing the
total number in Sc institutions up to
1880 beds. He secuted rumors that
the administration intends to econo-
nlze at the expense of the veteran.
The President of the United States"
he declared. has no intention of max
Ing economies in that direction what
soever."
The convention was called to order
by General Convention Chairman