Evening star., 1941-08-01
u. :. Isolation
Gone, McNuti
Tells Legion
1917 Situation Near
F. &C. Attorney
Warns PorIey

Warns PurIey
America must play resolute part
in the world during the next few
years, Federal Security Administra-
tor Paul v. McNutt told the opening
session of the 23d annual conven-
ton of the American Legion last
night.
Discussing the part of the United
States in the current conflict, he
said that America has passed irrev-
ocably from isolation to participa-
ton"
Fred johnson, jr., principal attor-
ney for the Federal Communications
Commission. told the members the
United States is lin or uncomfort-
ably near" the same situation that
brought about the war in 1917.
Sees New Leadership.
Mr.. McNutt, regarded as a spokes-
man for the administration, def
nitely threw isolation out OF the
window with the following state
ment: THE breadth of our own in
terest has precluded forever the
possibility that We can retire into
a bomb shelter when storms are
shaking the world"
A new future of democratic lead
ership is on the horizon, he said,
adding: American and Britain.
China and the little democracieS
throughout the world will Coop
crate in the only new order that
the world has seen in 5000 years"
He said there is nothing new about
totalitarianism and dictatorship, but
rather are merely new trappings
for the old disorder of tyranny and
oppression"
Mr.. johnson. declaring that naval
experts say this country has SUI
ficient warships to spare some Tor
aiding Britain in the battle OF the
Atlantic. posed this question:
"If our ultimate stake in this
matter is our own national security,
as the Nation has been advised and
as it seems to think, and if we are
ready to supply the additional forces
to win this battle, then, in the
name of common sense, what are
we waiting tor?"
Nominations Tonight.
The second in the series OF three
night sessions, being held at the
Mayfiower Hotel, will begin at 8
o'clock tonight. Presentation OF
trophies by Paul McGahan and
nomination of officers are on the
agenda. Special citizenship award
citations will be given by the Ameri-
canism Commission of the Legion
to Eugene Meyer, editor and pub
Usher of the Washington Post;
Alvin w. Hall, director of the Bu-
reau of Engraving and Printing, and
Marvin M. Mclean. Department
Comdr. William H Hargrave is pre-
siding at all sessions,
MIR. johnson, a former national
vice commander of the Legion,
called the German forces in the
Atlantic modern international pl-
rates" and asked how long would
1t be before the United States
loses patience" with them.
I'VE don't want war, but if this
Nation is imperiled. as those in a
position to know assert, let's face
the peril" he declared
Sees Threat in Spread.
I'VE never know when so-caled
foreign war will spread until ii
becomes very much our own war
threatening those institutions which
have for $50 years been regarded
here as absolutely essential in
society of free people, and in de-
fense of which we will fight any
time and anywhere when we are
convinced it is necessary to pro-
tect and preserve them" he said.
The speaker, deploring any in
terruption of any sort in an in
dustry engaged in defense produc-
ton, said that "of course" the Ma
ton wants to preserve its social
gains, but if we fail to win this
battle of production here
there won't be any rights for labor
or any other group, and all oul
social gains will be wiped out"
Would Extend Treason Definition.
He said it is high time" for the
legislative and executive branches
of the Government to say that any
man who "obstructs or induces 9TH
ers to obstruct" the Nation in its
defense effort is guilty of trea-
son."
Mr.. Johnson also urged reten-
ton of the selectees for a longer
period because of the emergency
The Nation should listen to the
Army and Navy experts rather thar
"self-appointed politicians" on this
matter, he said.
A memorial service was conducted
for Past Department Comdr. j
Miller Kenyon, LaySon E, Atkins
B. C. MacNeil and Thomas Mason
jr., who died during the past year
and other Legionnaires who dice
during the year. Reports of COM
mittees also were given.