Evening star., 1942-12-06
1850. {. Bar Members
Join Armed Forces
In Second World War

Annual Dinner Honors
George Maurice Morris,
American Bor President
One hundred and ninety-five
members Of the District Bar AS
sociation have joined the United
States armed forces in World War
II, it was revealed last night at the
list annual dinner of the organiza-
ton, held at the Mayflower Hotel in
honor of George Maurice Morris,
president of the American Bar As
sociation.
The dinner drew record turnout
of more than $50 lawyers, including
many of the most distinguished legal
minds in the Washington area.
In announcing that 1875 members
of the District Bar had signed up
with Uncle Sam for action on
Americas far-flung fighting fronts,
Paul B. Cromelin, president of the
association, referred to a story ap-
pearing recently in The Star and
telling of the bravery of Harry H.
Semmes, 81, a Washington attorney,
who won high commentator in
tank action in French Morocco,
which saved an American landing
force from being driven back into
the sea-"
Tank Hit Eight Times.
The Star story, appearing Novem-
Der Is, said that Col. Semmes' tank
was hit eight times, but he person.
ally managed to put four French
machines out of commission.
If the enemy had gotten through"
Mr.. Cromelin said, "the American
forces would probably have been
driven back into the sea-"
Resolutions honoring Mr.. Nor
ris were presented by Brig. Gen.
Albert L. Cox, chairman of the
testimonial committee.
The resolutions read, in part:
Your legal ability, your deep
sympathies, and your unbound pa
triotism, are but some of the
grandeurs of character which we
admire in you"
Mr.. Morris, second District law
yer to be elected president of the
American Bar Association, was in
troduced by Homer Cummings
POSTMASTER and former United
States Attorney General, who
characterized the honored guest as
distinguished lawyer and a fine
scholar whose services have been
useful and varied"
Mr.. Morris Responds.
In his brief response, Mr.. Morris
touched on the position of the
lawyer in the war-torn world, OBJ
serving that the United Nations
defense of free peoples "is a war
to determine whether government
by force will triumph over govern
ment by law.
ANY peace which follows this
war. if that peace is to endure, must
be based on the evenhanded ad-
ministration of justice" he said. I'VE
are fighting not only to preserve
justice but to continue our efforts to
improve the ways to attain Justice"
Address of the evening was de-
livered by the Hon. William L.
Vandeventer, former United States
attorney for the western district
OF Missouri, who told humorous
stories of his early days in the Ozark
Mountains of Southern Missouri.
F. Regis Noel, past president of
the District Bar Association, for
mally announced the presentation
Of two ambulances on behalf of the
association, one to be used by the
Army Medical Center. Walter Reed
Hospital, the other ~ the Naval
Reserve Aviation Base, Anacostia.
Gifts Accepted.
Brig. Gen. Shelley U. Marietta,
commanding general, Army Medical
Center, and Comdr. J. M. Carson,
commandant, Naval Reserve Avia-
ton Base. accepted the gifts.
The four and half hour pro-
gram included the following fea-
lures.
Entry Of guest of honor and 9TH
er honored guests, escort of United
States Marine Corps buglers and
| drummers and details from United
States Army and Navy.
March: THE Spirit of TO-"
Pledge Of allegiance to the nag,
assembly led by Jerome F. Bar
nard, chairman, Dinner Committee.
The Star Spangled Banner" sung
by Marie C.. Deal
Invocation: Rev. Frederick Brown
Harris, chaplain, United States
Senate
| Presentation Of Service Flag to
the Bar Association by Robert p.