Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-20
TYD|NGS ENGAGES
RADIO TIME TO
HIT AT PRESIDENT
Prepares TomorroW's Talk
as Legion Head Attacks
Purge.
CONVENTION STATEMENT
STIRS UP CONTROVERSY
Lewis Backer Says Maryland
Veterans Are Fed Up on
Extravagant Claims.

In the midst of q controversy over
his Endorsement By outgoing officers
of the Maryland State American Le-
gion. Senator Tydings today engaged
every radio station in Maryland and
WRC in Washington for his speech
tomorrow at $3.50 pm: to reply to
President Roosevelt's Endorsement Of
Representative Lewis, his primary OPP
ponent.
The Senator's campaign headquar-
tiers announced the title of his talk
will be Recent Developments in My
Campaign in Maryland" the Asso-
ciated Press reported.
Meanwhile. at campaign headquar-
tiers of Mr.. Lewis in Baltimore, for
nation Of a "Lewis-Veterans- for-Sen-
ate League" was announced by Charles
]. Newell, State chairman.
In reply to Department Commander
Bruce T. Blair, who lauded Senator
Tydings in his annual report at the
Legion Convention in Baltimore yes
terday, and asserted that if the Presi-
dent is successful in his Invasion Of
Maryland" to elect Representative
Lewis to the Senate, it would make
American government a dictator
ship" Mr.. Newell declared:
Il am convinced that the veterans
Of Maryland are fed up with the
extravagant claims of Senator Tydings
that he has been their friend, and
that they, the veterans. are whole
heartedly in favor Of him.
There has been a virtual uprising
among the rank and file. Several of
us toured the State and found that
more than go per cent Of the veterans
are against Mr.. Tydings and for Mr..
Lewis
Cites Reason for Opposition.
Comdr. Bair said the Legion op-
posed the Federal reorganization bill
because ut would permit the Presi-
dent to establish virtual DICTATOR
ship with reference to the Civil Services
Commission and the Veterans Admin
istration, which we felt is contrary to
the American idea Of government.
The President wants to make the
Supreme Court subservient to his will,
and now Is coming into Maryland for
the purpose Of trying to defeat Senator
Tydings, who certainly has fought our
fight in the Senate this year.
This will make the American Gov.
eminent dictatorship If the Presi.
dent Is successful, for 1t will destroy
the independence of the three branches
Of Government and make the Presi-
dent boss over the legislative Is well
as the judicial departments"
Bair Draws Criticism.
However. Comdr. Bair was censured
by another Legionnaire last night for
having deliberately and completely
embroiled the Legion In partisan
politics"
In radio address, Owen Ryan OF
Chevy Chase. secretary of the South.
ern Maryland District Of the Legion
and past commander of the Mont.
gomery County post OF the Veteran.
Of Foreign Wars, said:
Il, for one, as a member Of the
American Legion, regret most sin
cerely to see 1t dragged into partisan
politics by no less person than It's
State commander. I am hopeful that
tho o0ioy, mill Laay, Gre rvood ,,o v,n ~,
violate and take appropriate action
against Department Comdr. Bair, who
has so completely lost his head"
He said Mr.. Tydings had acquired
brain trust" of brass hat" Legion.
naires who are helping him push SUP.
port among veterans in his campaign
for reelection.
Lauds Lewis in Speech.
Mr.. Ryan, whose speech praised Mr.
Lewis for having done more for u,
and our families through his great
record Of social legislation than any
other member Of Congress-" said the
brass hat brain trust" included:
Jack Clarke, a contractor in Balti.
more land obviously not representative
Of the great group of hsrd-workins
veterans throughout the State"
James B. Fitzgerald, vice com.
mander Of the Southern Maryland
division Of the Legion, who. he said
lis a lobbyist for the motion picture
industry. so 1t is obvious why he Il
organizing veterans for Senator Tyd.
ings.".
Richard O'Connell, a member Of thu
City Council Of Baltimore.
Parade Before Governor.
Last night the World War Veteran
attired in fiashy tunics and shiny
shrapnel helmets paraded with theb
wives behind several dozen band
from American Legion posts through.
out Maryland and were reviewed By
Gov. Nice and Mayor Howard w
Jackson of Baltimore.
Climaxing the four-day Maryland
Department convention Of the Legion.
naires, the parade attracted an esti.
mated 1000 marchers, including Reg.
ular Army troops, National Guards.
men, Coast Guardsmen, Boy Scouts
Legion Auxiliaries and q deachmen,
Of the Veterans Of Foreign Wars
Senator Tydings marched in the pa.
rade and Mrs. Tydings with an aux.
Hilary unit.