Evening star., 1941-09-16
Legion Convention
Suspends Business
For Annua! Parade
Gen. Marshall Asks
Veterans Aid to Halt
MeddIine With Army
b the Associated Press.

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 49, The
American soldiers who shouldered
rifles in France in 1918 substituted
canes today as they swung jauntily
down Milwaukee streets in the
American Legion's brilliant conven-
ton parade.
Milwaukee got up early hurried
through breakfast and, hours before
the start, massed 10 deep along the
entire 3-mile parade route.
The march started promptly at
Gam, to continue without interrupt
ton for at least II hours. The first
section passed the reviewing stand
shortly before 10 o'clock. Conven-
ton officials said about $4,000 would
participate.
Scattered clouds filled the sky
and there was a threat of showers
as the 1910 national champion Ed
ward H Monahan Post Band of
Sioux City, Iowa, moved toward the
reviewing stand. followed by Ma
tional Comdr Milo Warner, past
national commanders and distin-
gulshed guests.
Alabama Heads Parade.
The national champion drum
corps from the commonwealth Edi-
son Post of Chicago preceded dele
cations from the Nations outlying
possessions, Mexico, Canada, Italy
and France.
Alabama headed the parade of
State departments.
Business sessions, which got off
to rousing start yesterday. with
the applauding of every inference
of intervention in the foreign con-
flict, were suspended for the big
show.
The Legion will resume its busi-
ness tomorrow when committees,
including that on national defense
will report.
The convention cheered to the
rafters spokesmen for the national
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of the
Navy Knox. Civilian Defense Di-
rector La Guardia, as we'll as a
message from President Roosevelt
himself-in challenge against
Nazi Germany.
Reversal of the Legion's tradi-
tional stand against American
participation in foreign wars was
advocated in pending resolution
which some leaders said was acquir-
Ing considerable support.
Speaking at a dinner for distin-
euished guests given by National
Comdr. Milo j. Warner, Gen George
c. Marshall, Army chief of staff,
last night sought the Legion's help
to save Americas new army of Sc
lectees from the fate that befell
the armed forces of France.
Gen. Marshall declared a lack of
public understanding was interfer-
ing with the training of the new
army and that criticism from pres
sure groups and misinformed indi-
viduals was undermining morale.
Objects to Meddling.
The chief of staff said it was i'm
possible to develop an efficient Army
if decisions purely of a military ma
ture were continuously subjected
to investigation, cross-examination
debate, ridicule and public discus
sion"
Il submit that there is a clear
line of demarcation between the
democratic freedom of discussion
which We are determined to pre-
serve and a destructive procedure
which promotes discomfort and de-
stroys confidence in the Army" he
said
The local posts of the Legion
can do much to bring the people
at home to a better understanding
of the requirements of the situa-
ton. Even you veterans probably
do not realize the result Of the ap-
peals of the young man angling for
a homemade cake or Dragging to
his parents or his girl of the hard
ships he endures, or grousing over
the failure of his leaders to recog-
nize his particular ability by i'm
mediate promotion.
The War Department at times
receives a veritable avalanche of
criticisms or presSures resulting
from such ordinary soldier reactions
as these. The incidents in them
selves are often amusing, as in the
case Of the mother who complained
that her son wasn't getting enough
to eat and we found her boy had
gained 16 pounds in 20 days.
But the total effect is really Sc
rious. AS I read confidential re-
ports from abroad there is striking
similarity between our present sit
nation in this respect and that
which affected the late army of
France
Criticism, justified or otherwise,
Is to be expected. In fact, it is as
inevitable as a congressional in
vestigation, but when its nature or
purpose is to cause disunity within
the Army I say direct the criticisms
at me. personally, and leave the
Army alone"
Elmer J. Reider of Chicago, who
entered the World War as a buck
private and was mustered out a
sergeant, turned up today as a dark
horse candidate for national COM
mander.
Claiming for campaign purposes
to be the original Elmer" of the Le-
gion, Mr.. Reider announced he had
the backing of Chicago Hyde Park
Post and that even buck privates
II