Evening star., 1941-08-27
Hines Tells VI. ".
Bad Advice Stirs
Defense Strikes
Veterans Organization
Neors Showdown on
Officers Court-MortiuI

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 27.-The
national convention Of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars was told today by
Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines, vet
erans' administrator, that strikes on
defense projects are "the result Of
bad advice"
Even in times of emergency" he
said, Il do not believe that any
of us want to deprive workmen in
defense plants of what normally
would be their rights.
But they do not have-and never
have had-in time of national emer-
gency, the right to strike against
their Government-to interfere with
the progress Of q program adopted
by the Congress, or to ignore a
request, If not an actual order Of
the President Of the United States.
Defiance of Authority.
IT feel confident that when such
action is taken, it must be through
misunderstanding"
Declaring he felt American citi-
zens generally condemn as un-
justifable and unpatriotic," all
efforts tending to thwart the ma
tional defense program. he added
Whether these acts take the
form of strikes or other methods,
is immaterial, for they are in effect
defiance of constituted authority.
And every means must be taken
to stop them"
Showdown on Court Martial.
Swinging back into business ses-
sions after a mammouth military
parade. the v. F. w. apparently
| moved toward a showdown on court
martial of Illinois Department Com
| mander Earl Southard.
At least Mr.. Southard said he ex-
pected as much and issued a fight
ing statement on arrival, declaring
"I am here to be vindicated by the
men whose dues were missspent in
the court-martial persecution OF
me"
He said Illinois delegates in caucus
here had gone on record supporting
him land intimating they are goine
to bring the matter before the con-
vention." where he is barred by
suspension.
| However, doubt that the affail
would reach the convention floor wa!
expressed by National Commander
Joseph C. Menendez. who said he
looked for decision today or to-
morrow from the 10 past State
commanders who tried Mr.. Southarc
at Chicago last week.
Pamphlet Is Exhibited.
Accused of violating his member.
ship oath pledging allegiance to the
Government. the Illinois commander
was charged with engaging in SUBJ
versive activities as secretary Of the
Citizens Keep America Out of Wal
Committee. The prosecution ex-
hibited committee pamphlet which
bore Mr.. Southard's name among
others and advocated mo obedience
to the Lease-Lend Act.
Mr.. Southard staunchly defended
his loyalty and claimed his suspen-
sion by Comdr Menendez was q
war mongering effort to silence me-
and keep him of the convention
floor.
When the fighting men In our
organization know the truth" he
declared, there will be no question
about their action. They. I am sure,
will repudiate perjury which is the
Communist smear technique OF
fighting. I am for freedom OF
speech. Where there is contro-
versy 1 believe that both sides
should be heard"
Says Speakers Are "Warmongers."
Mr.. Southard further asserted that
all speakers who have appeared be-
fore the convention ARE warmongers
and I trust the rational officers OF
the organizat ton have arranged for
some speakers who will express the
opinion of the majority of the
American people-to keep us out OF
war"
The Illinois chiefs arrival followed
announcement by Comdr. Menende7
that state commanders are almost
unanimous" in their Endorsement OF
President Roosevelt's defense efforts
and his foreign policies. He said Al
of 48 State leaders in a recent pol
sanctioned the Roosevelt program
adding:
They have definitely refused te
be fooled by those within and with
out our ranks who have tried to use
the v. F. w. to promote confusion
and delays that will only postpone
the day of peace
After hearing an assertion by
Mayor Fiorella H. La Guardia Of
New York that a negotiated peace
with Hitler would put this country
in a position of cop shaking hands
with a bandit. the veterans yester.
day put on one of Philadelphia
biggest parades despite 92.4 degree
heat which sent 1900 persons Il
hospitals.