Evening star., 1940-06-28
Legion Home Defense
Army Plan Draws
Fire Of Guardsmen
Gems. Cox and Reckord
Soy 1t Might Create
Confusion and Menace

Plans for a Nationwide home
defense army" under auspices o1
the American Legion, fell under
sharp scrutiny today as it was
learned that high Government Off
cials have been consulted, and some
Legionnaires already have raised
objections.
The program has been submitted
to the Legion's National Executive
Committee by Raymond j. Kelly oi
Detroit, national commander. He
had asked that the matter be held
confidential until action should be
taken by the Executive Committee
Leaking out yesterday, however
the program already has provoked
criticism, especially from National
Guard officers.
A special Legion committee, which
drew up the security" program, met
with Army, Navy and Marine Corps
officers in Washington June 10, it
was learned, and was informed that:
1T would be impossible under
present circumstances for the active
overseership of such a home-defense
program to be undertaken by the
Federal defense establishment au-
thorities and that the cooperation
should be with the various State
governments"
Claims Breach of Faith"
Comdr. Kelly, who is on a tour of
the country, visiting Legion posts,
was quoted by the Associated Press
from Norfolk, Va, as declaring that
disclosure of the program at Balti-
more, where it first came to light,
was a breach of faith" and that
publication was premature.
THE National Executive Commit
tee of the American Legion" he
said, "has not had time to consider
the proposal. Until the committee
has considered it I will have moth
ing to say"
There were reports the committee
may meet here.
Sharpest objections came from
Brig. Gen. Albert l.. Cox, command
ing the District National Guard,
who was former chairman of the
Legion's National Defense Commit
tee, and from Maj Gen. Milton A.
Reckord, commander of the Mary
land National Guard, also a Legion
naire.
Would Create Confusion"
Gen. Cox characterized such a
proposed Legion army as an outfit
which would create confusion. 4"
Gen. Cox said:
I'm times of national emergency
it is necessary that there be a su-
preme command. Volunteer de-
fense activities, although based on
the finest patriotic motives, impede
rather than help a national defense
program. Under no circumstances,
faced as We are with the critical
situation abroad, should we cooper
ate with or encourage the formation
of any such volunteer activities"
Gen. Reckord said that while it
was undoubtedly designed with
the thought of rendering assistance,
thing the. plan is an improper
and unnecessary approach At
the proper time the constituted
legal authorities can and will take
the necessary steps to protect the
communities and the State. What
| ever action looking toward home
defense is taken should be taken
by these proper, legal authorities
within the State" He estimated
such voluntary army might
readily turn into dangerous "bund''
organization and become a men
ace"
Hobbs Asked Delay.
j. B. Hobbs, past commander of
the Maryland Department, Ameri-
can Legion, and now a national
committeeman, wired national Le-
gion headquarters urging a delay in
distribution of the plan pending
definite action by the National
Executive Committee"
Joseph Malloy, national commit
teeman of the Legion for the Dis
trlct of Columbia, said he had re-
ceived from the national command
er the official document in regard
to the proposal. Since it was marked
confidential, however, Mr.. .Malloy
said he could make no comment
! at this time. James B. Fitzgerald
OF this city, who resides in Mary
land, and a national committeeman
from that State took the same