Evening star., 1940-05-02
Legion and AffiIiafes
Pay Homage 10 D. {.
World War Dead
Commissioner Young
Speaks at Ceremonies
At Memorial

Capitals World War dead in a COL
orful and impressive May Day serv-
ice, the American Legion and related
patriotic groups yesterday combined
an appeal for strengthened national
defenses with firm pledge to con-
tinue their fight to defend Ameri-
canism against subversive influences.
The crowd of several hundred per-
sons, who braved threatening skies
to witness the fifth annual COM
memorative observance at the Dis
trict OF Columbia World War Memo
rial, also heard speakers stress the
Importance of promoting child well
fare, one of the major purposes of
the observance
Commissioner John Russell Young,
bringing greetings on behalf of the
city, paid tribute to the American
Legion's relentless campaign to in
sure America with protection ade-
quate for any emergency" Today,
more than ever before, Americans
appreciate the Importance of our
democratic institutions, he said.
However" Commissioner Young
added, "even noble ideals require
strong support to withstand the
pressure Of power politics. The
tragic chaos among the weaker ma
tions, which were not powerful
enough to defend their ideals, re-
mains as lasting warning to the
rest of the world.
Emphasizes Unity.
LET us realize, during these dan
gerous days, that all Americans
must pull together to protect our
democratic ideals. Although real
democracy is exceedingly difficult to
attain, it Is surprisingly easy to lose
this precious political heritage. The
preservation of our great institu-
tions require endless, enlightened
peace-time service. This can be
done only by united Nation"
America today is the last strong
bulwark of political freedom and the
entire civilized world "looks to us
for leadership" the Commissioner
declared.
Richard c. O'Connell, national
commander of the 29th Division As
sociation, told the gathering that
the situation abroad should inspire
Americans to rededicate themselves
to the cause of peace 80 that our
sons may never know the horrors
Of war"
"It is our solemn obligation to
keep this country free from physical
attack, as well as subversive attacks
on our ideals and institutions" he
said. eve must all be minute men
In the name of our dead comrades" 4"
The originator of this annual COM
memorative observance, Mrs. Emma
Louise Warren, lie Chapeau National,
ct 40, declared it was unfortunate
that May Day should be selected
by some groups ''for radical DEM
onstrations and agitation" She
called for full support of the Dies
Committee on Un-American Activi-
ties in its fight against subversive
influences.
Cites Child Welfare Program.
Discussing the child welfare pro-
gram of her organization, Mrs. War;
rem said: "We can be proud of our
work in the field of childhood tu-
berculosis prevention"
Official messages from the par
ticipating organizations were de-
ivered by William T. Slattery, de-
partment commander of the Amer
ican Legion; Mrs. Mary B. McMil-
lin, department president of the
American Legion Auxiliary; William
H. Hargrave, grand chef de gare,
40 ct 8, and Mrs. Edith p. Land
voigt, le chapeau departmental, 8
ct 40.
With Fred G. Fraser officiating
In behalf of the Legion, memorial
trees were planted near the World
War Memorial in honor of the late
E. Lester Jones, first commander of
the department, and the late James
Tracy Brady, twentieth department
commander. While the audience
stood in silent tribute, the trees
were planted in soil transported
from the homes of the deceased
commanders.
Mr.. Fraser described Mr.. Jones
as truly the founder and father of
the District department." and he
recalled how Mr.. Brady left his
work at Georgetown University in
1917 to enlist in the Coast Artillery
Corps. Mr.. Jones was with George
Washington Post, No. l, and Mr..
Brady with National Cathedral
Post, No. 10.
The trees were accepted in be-
half of the National Capital Parks
by Donald L. Kline.
Marine Band Plays.
A concert by the United States
Marine Band, directed by Capt. Will
liam F. Santelmann, opened the
two-hour program. This was fol-
lowed by massing of the colors by
the participating organizations, with
the American Legion Guard of
Honor acting as an escort. The as
sembly then joined in singing
America" and prayer in unison
was led by chaplains of the sponsor
ing organizations, Mrs. Fannie
Meeks, American Legion Auxiliary;
Henry S. Heine, des 40 Hommes ct
8 Chevaux, and Mrs Emma Warren,
des Chapeaux ct 40 Femmes.
A special feature of the program
was a poppy professional" by the
Drum and Bugle Corps of the Amer
lean Legion, the American Legion