Evening star., 1941-01-26
Legion Post Honors
Douglass 0. Reed
At Banquet
Organizations Support
Of U. 5. Defense Louded
By J. Monroe Johnson

Britain has good fighting
chance" of victory, but there is a
possibility the United States may
have to continue alone the battle to
save democracy, j. Monroe john
son of the Interstate Commerce
Commission warned last night,
Addressing a testimonial dinner
In honor of Douglass o. Reed, Junior
past commander of Sergt. Jasper
Post of the American Legion, he de-
clared that even if England were
TO fail, mo totalitarian government
would be SAFE as long as this coun-
try retains its vigor and its strength.
The dinner, held at the New Co.
lonial Hotel, was attended by about
300 persons. Joseph j. Malloy, a
member Of the Legion's National
Executive Committee. was toast
master. In introducing CommiS-
sioner johnson Mr.. Malloy described
him as "the leading Legionnaire of
the country"
Legion's Record Praised.
In 1917 and 1918. Commissioner
saved civilization" and the Amer
lean Legion. born of the World War,
"has kept the faith" Year after
year the Legion, practically alone,
had stressed the need for stronger
national defense. Now. when the
wolf is at the door the country has
awakened to the danger and the ne
cesSity for preparedness, he said,
THE conception of the piratical
nations-German Italy and Japan
is to take by force from the de-
mocracies what they cannot win in
commercial competition" he de-
clared IF the United States had
gone into the League of Nations, you
would not have what is going on in
Europe now" he said
Although France has fallen, the
French are neither slackers nor
towards, Commissioner johnson de-
clared The reason for the fall of
France, he pointed out, was the fact
that Germany far outclassed her in
airplanes and other ornaments of
modern war.
Defense Called Duty
Defense of the Nation is one of
the duties of citizenship, Commits
sloner johnson declared. and those
who are not willing to defend their
country do not deserve to stand
under the fold of the flag"
i
greater service at this time than to
help inculcate in the youths now
answering the call of national serv-
Ice the virtues of patriotism.
Another Legion is being born and
our day of power will soon pass"
he said, expressing the belief that
Its members would be "aS wise and
patriotic" as the World War Legion.
Ayden A. Dibble, commander of
Sergt. Jasper Post paid tribute to
the retiring Commander Reed.
Others Speak.
Others who spoke briefly included
Watson B. Miller, director of the
Legion's National Rehabilitation
Committee: Department Comdr.
William H. Hargrave, Ernest I,
Lewis, director of the Bureau of
Valuation, Interstate Commerce
commission, and Mrs. Beatrice
Jacobs, vice president of the District
Department Auxiliary, who took the
place of Mrs. Helen M. McCabe,
president of the auxiliary, who was
unable to attend the dinner.
Guests of honor included Mrs.
Douglass o. Reed, C. Francis NC
Carthy, Grande Chef de Care, Forty
and Eight; Mrs. Mary B. McMillin,
national executive committeewoman:
Mrs. Katherine Crompton, Cha
peaux Departmental, Eight and
Forty; Mrs. Louise Goodacre, presi-
dent of the Sergt. Jasper Auxiliary:
Ernest E. Kennard, captain, ma
tlonal guard of honor; Mrs. Imogene
Gallagher, junior past president,
Sergt. Jasper Auxiliary, and Mrs.
Hazel B. Fraser, secretary of the
District department.
The general chairman ofMthe
Banquet Committee was Charles H.
Pierce, and the vice chairman was
Victor J. Farrar. Dancing followed
the dinner.