Evening star., 1939-05-02
Gen. Cox Asks
Strength as
Key 70 Peace
War Memorial
Observance Hears
Defense Plea

HSISIISC ] ISO
The American Legion and related
organizations, which participated
in the fourth annual commemora-
tive observance at the District of
Columbia World War Memorial in
Potomac Park, had before them to-
day a reminder that this country
must keep itself strong if it is to
have peace.
Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox, COM
mander of the District National
Guard, speaking at the observance
yesterday, declared the present is
mo time for a Nation hoping to
avoid war to be weak in means Of
self-defense."
World conditions show no change
for the better which can lead us
to hope that the future of our coun-
try will be free from the danger of
war Gen. Cox said. THE same
clashing of national aspirations, the
same creeds of hatred that led to
war in the past are as effective
today. Desire for peace appears as
impotent to prevent war as it has
been throughout history"
Urging preparedness, the speaker
said this is not an invitation to
fight. but is "a warning to the ag-
gressor to keep hands off,"
Dead Paid Homage.
Paying homage to the soldier
dead of the District of Columbia,
the ceremony took place, as custo-
mary, at the memorial, on the south
side of the Rejecting Pool Par
ticipating organizations included
the American Legion, the American
Legion Auxiliary, Des 40 Hommes
ct 8 Cheveau, Des 8 Chapeaux ct
40 FemmeS, Sons of the American
Legion, American Legion Auxiliary
Juniors and the Legion National
Guard of Honor.
Samuel J. Parrish, chairman of the
Legion's child welfare department.
presided and paid tribute to Frank
B. Noyes, founder Of the observance
and chairman of the 1881 Memorial
Commission, and Julius I. Peyser
and DR.. B. c. MacNeil, members.
The memorial exists, Mr. Parrish
said, because of the ambition, aims
and ideals of Mr.. Noyes. Called on
to speak, Mr.. Noyes responded
briefly. Il can only say, or attempt
to say" he remarked, "how glad I
am to be here and pay homage to
those to whom this memorial is
dedicated"
James T. Brady, commander oof
the District of Columbia Depart
ment Of the American Legion, gave
the welcoming address, emphasizing
one of the principal aims of the
observance-refuting the subversive
demonstrations on May Day.
Foreign Support Charged.
To-day in this country" Mr..
Brady said, land indeed, at this mo-
ment In our own city, there are as.
sembled at many meetings speakers
who are engaged in violent TRADES
against our American form of gov
ernment. They are the disciples of
Marx. Lenin, Stain and others of
their kind. They are inspired by
foreign ideologies."
Mr.. Brady charged they are Sup
ported by foreign finances" and are
seeking ito tear down and destory
both American and Christian doc
trines."
Thank God," he continued, that
the spectators who throng these
meetings 60 there in large numbers
as idly curious and the seeds of
dissension which are spread among
them in most instances fall on
barren soil"
Responding to the welcoming ad-
dress, Miss Minnie May Hardy,
department president of the Legion
auxiliary, explained that May Day
was selected for the observance "as
a day when subversive forces are
most active"
Emphasizing one of the major
purposes Of the observance, four
speakers discussed the child welfare
program of the Legion and related
organizations. They were: Fred G..
Fraser, national vice chairman, child
welfare department of the Amerl-
can Legion; C. Cassard Schroth,
grand chef de gare of the District
40 ct 8; Edith Warren Quinn, de-
partment chapeau of the 8 ct 40,
and Mrs. Thelma E. Bailey. national
president of the ct 40.
Poppy Professional.
Gold CfoY MNfHarc -
service occupied special places OF
honor.
A special feature of the program
was poppy professional" by the
Drum and Bugle Corps of the Sons
Of the American Legion, the Ameri-
can Legion Auxiliary Juniors and
the Junior Guard of Honor, directed
by Mrs. Rose C. O'Hara, Mrs. Fran
ces Snow and Mrs. Rosetta Wells.
The procession filed around the cross
in front of the memorial and
dropped their chain of poppies at
the foot Of it.
Musical features of the program
included, "Recessional," sung by
John M. Wilson; God Bless Ameri-
ca" sung by Miss Hilda Nelson, and
Fair Land of Freedom" by the
Remington-Webster Opera Quar-
tette, composed of Miss Nelson, An
gelina Montana, John Seate and
Eliot Ferry.
A concert by the United States
Marine Band, directed by Capt. Tay-
lOr BranSOn, preceded the service,
This was followed by massing Of the
colors by the participating organi-
cations, with the American Legion
Guard Of Honor acting as an escort.
The assembly joined in singing
America" and a prayer in unison
was led by chaplains Of the affih-
ated sponsors, the Rev. Harry Sny-
der of the American Legion, Mrs.
Anna Elliott Of the Auxiliary, j. L..
Koehl Of the 10 ct 8, and Mary K.
Killeen Of the ct 40.