The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-23

message praised it's campaie lenses. The President Warnt whether we like it or not ,. Con- Stitutes a threat against the peace of the entire world" He called for further action to protect the Ameri- can way of life against any form of aggression which may endanger It."
 Keep War Away
 with much of the world at war, " the president said, q am confident that the million members of the Legion will play their full part in keeping the war away from our shores and in preventing it from imperiling our freedom, our insti- tutionS, our America"
 The Edward H. Monahan Posts national champion band of Sioux City, la, and the national cham pion drum and bugle corps of Hackensack, N. J., played as the 1900 official delegates, and many alternates congregated in Boston arena for joint session with aux Hilary delegates.
 National Commander Raymond J. Kelly in the keynote address told the 1900 delegates theirs was an all-hmportant role "in crystallizing the will and opinion of our fellow citizens to the end that America may be united in a common effort for the common good" :"
 Heavy Responsibility
 "The need is pressing" he Saic in a preamble to his annual report "The responsibility is heavy. I be- lieve I am not unduly pessimistic when I predict that the next F months are all important in de- termining the future not only o1 the American Legion, but of the American people"
 The welcoming address of Gov Leverett Saltonstall of Massachu' sets praised his comrade legion naireS for their determination tC keep the heritage of liberty which the minute men and our comrade: have bequeathed us"
 e.. As we swing into action or the physical front" he said, "wt should permit no weakness in oul ranks on the moral side. We mus join together to preserve our Dem ocratic way of life.'
 Auxiliary In Line
 En the joint session of her aux Hilary and the Legion, Mrs. William Corwith, National president, sait that the auxiliary takes pride il the knowledge that all of its ef forts have been directed toward tn goals of the American Legion. w have given you as complement t your highest membership record, al equal achievement as we repor more than half a million member in our 9158 units"
 From Dr. Joseph c. Menende' commander-in-chief of the ,Veter z ans of Foreign Wars, came mes sage urging all ex-service men ( America to Head the fight agains the enemies of democracy throug the promotion of national unity
 "To be consistent in this effort, he said, it is plainly evident tn major veteran organizations of ou country should demonstrate we ca employ unity of effort among our selves before we call upon the pee pie as a whole to suppress thei partisan, racial and religious diff ferences."
 Combat Fifth Column
 J. Edgar Hoover, director of tn Federal Bureau of Investigation, to day enlisted 1,060,000 American Le gionnaires as aides to his G-me in 8 counter offensive against lift columniStS.
 Addressing the opening session c the convention at Boston Arena Hoover asserted:
 "The spy, the saboteur, and tn subVerter must be met and con quered. You can be of valuable as sistance at this time by reporting al rectly to the FBI acts which yo believe inimical to the national de fense. These facts can then be eval ucated by trained investigators"
 Hoover stressed that such inform ation should be furnished promptl 'so that action can be taken toda. for tomorrow might be too late"
 "Americanism IS on trial" Hoovt said. Its real test lies in the abl ity of red-blooded Americans meet and defeat the fifth column of destruction, which is already z work. A knowledge of the lurkin menace is necessary. Also thel is need to avoid confusion il. Amer ica is to remain strong. This can achieved only through clear think ing and positive action. We mu: understand that the priceless her tage of a free people IS liberty. Bl it must be re-won in each genera ton, through eternal vigilance an positive actlon."
 AriOrr, More Arrive
 Railways, highways and skyway brought more and more Legion Iialres, relatives and friends to swe guest list" expected to excee 100000 by noon. Hotels throughol the gaily decorated metropolis wei jam-packed and the crowd ovel flowed the hoStelries elsewhere l Massachusetts and in Rhode Islam
 An estimated 500y000 New Ens flanders came here yesterday to gre' the vast vanguard of Leglonnaire join in religious services and watC the fun that followed.
 A Sunday feature was the long delayed dedication of Cyrus Dallin equestrian statue of Paul Revel near the midnight riders North Er home, pointing up the convention theme, Paul Revere Rides Again
 While the conventions form program got under way at BostC Arena today, the annual nation contests for bands, drum and bug corps. color guards and other tean