Evening star., 1938-05-02
WAR NOT IN VAIN,
GEARHART SAySAT
MEMORIAL RITES
1,5O0 Hear House Member
at Annual Observance
in Potomac Park.
SEES EXAMPLE OF u. S.
INSPIRING DEMOCRACY
Miss Lenroot Praises Legion for
Aiding Fund Drives for
Child Health.

Child Health.
Americans who gave their lives in
the struggle to make the world safe
for democracy 20 years ago did not
die in vain, Representative B. W.
Gearhart of California told a crowd
OF $500 at the third annual COM
memorative observance at the District
World War Memorial in Potomac Park
yesterday afternoon.
This is one of the few places In
the world where the rights of freedom
still exist" he said. but in time all
the world, inspired by the glorious
American example, will find itself in
truth and in fact made safe for
democracy"
Mr.. Gearhart, past commander Of
the California Department of the
American Legion, was the principal
speaker at colorful memorial services
sponsored by the American Legion
and affiliated organizations to per-
petuate a patriotic reverence for the
World War dead by stressing the i'm
portance of defending Americanism
against subversive influences and pro-
noting child welfare.
Liberties Challenged.
He pointed out that the memorial
gathering itself demonstrated the
rights of free assembly, free speech
and free press.
Twenty years ago these liberties
were challenged from abroad" he said,
'and, rallying around the battle cry
of make the world safe for democ-
racy,' we marched away to war.
There are some superficial thinkers
who say it all was in vain, pointing
to the dictators marching through
Central Europe with their bloody
swords.
But I am guileless enough to insist
that American participation in that
struggle indeed made the world safe
for democracy.
Are there dictators now In anv
country that knew and understood the
forms of democracy in 1914? No. In
America, England, France-in all
those countries who knew democracy
then, the flags of democracy still are
held high"
The struggle to preserve freedom
still is going on, he added, but know
that as long as there are such organ
lzations as the American Legion
teaching true Americanism, America
will be safe"
The Legion's child welfare program
was praised by Miss Katharine F. Len
root, chief of Childrens Bureau of
the Department of Labor. who said
Legionnaires performed valuable serv-
ice IN supporting drives for adequate
funds for improving child health
facilities all over the country.
Better Co ordination Urged.
I'm the District of Columbia, where
the citizens do not have the right to
vote, extra dedication of effort is
necessary to obtain needed services for
the children" she said.
Pointing out that the death rate Of
mothers in childbirth is higher in the
District than for the country at large
and that the infant mortality rate was
higher until the last few months. Miss
Lenroot said one of the needs in the
District was better coordination be-
tween health and welfare agencies"
Throughout the country, she said,
1T sometimes is difficult to get legis-
latures to provide sufficient appropri-
ations for health and welfare work
among children" and it is the Iegion's
responsibility to see that their needs
are safeguarded." She urged support
for drive to increase social security
funds for services to children.
The Legion is observing the months
May as Child Welfare Month" and
Miss Lenroot said it was fitting that
this should begin yesterday coinci-
dental with the observance of National
Child Health Day.
William H. Hargrave. chairman Of
joint committee representing the
American Legion, American Legion
Auxiliary, Des 40 Hommes ct g
CheVaux, Des Chapeaux ct 40 Fem
mes. Sons OF the American Legion and
American Legion Auxiliary Juniors,
presided at the memorial service.
Marine Band Plays,
The program began with a 3o-min.
ute concert by the United States Ma.
rine Band, followed by massing of the
colors of the participating patriotic
organizations, under the direction of
c. Francis Mccarthy. Capt. Guy C.
Nadeau led the American Legion
Guard of Honor, with Edith Quinn
and Edith Landvoigt as marshals.
After prayer in unison for peace
to our Nation and to all nations" 100
boys and girls representing the Sons Of
the American Legion and the Ameri-
ican Legion Auxiliary Juniors marched
down the aisles carrying garlands Of
poppies in tribute to the 435 men
whose names are inscribed on the
memorial. Estelle Hunt Dean sang
Dear Little Boy of Mine" to accom-
paniment of the Marine Band.
Frederick F. Money, vice commander
OF the District Department of the
Legion, gave the address of welcome.
Other speakers included Dorothy B.
Harper, department president of the
auxiliary; Horace w. Lineburg, past
department commander; Mary K.
Killeen, president of the Gold Star
Mothers; Helen M. McCabe, head of
the District and 40; Mary c. Haws,
head of the and 40; John E.
District head of the 40 and 8,
and Mary B. Corwin, Americanism
chairman Of the auxiliary.
Greetings we're extended by DR.. il.
Wyckof, New Jersey department COM
mander of the Legion, and Mrs. Rus
sell B. Howell. New Jersey depart
ment auxiliary president, who headed
q delegation Of New Jersey Legion
naires in the city yesterday for their
annual pilgrimage to the Tomb Of the