Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-27
Thousands Converge
On New York 10 Open
Legion Convention
by !hs Asseeiotsd Press

NEW YORK, Aug. 27.-Ameri-
can Legionnaires by the thou
sands moved on New York today
while their leaders, busy as mess
sergeants just before chow time,
sought to shape up the serious
matters that will be laid before
the Goth convention opening to-
morrow afternoon.
State delegations began to hold
caucuses to decide which way to
throw their votes for national COM
mander, and standing committees
continued work on resolutions to 20
before the convention, which con-
tinues through Sunday. Some Of the
committee sessions, particularly that
on housing, developed lively dis
cussions yesterday.
Early arrivals not concerned with
these matters were reminding New
York, host to the Legion 10 years
ago, what to expect when things get
rolling. One group squirted water
pistols at girl passersby; another
evoked startled screams, using the
same targets, with q cane that de-
uvered an electric shock.
40 and 8 Parade Tomorrow.
A Floridan paraded with ear nuns.
A Denver group showed up with q
bison calf for Mayor William
ODwyer. who. yesterday was given
q life membership in the 40 and 8,
Legion fun organization. The 40
and 8 will hold its parade tomorrow
night The main Legion parade will
be Saturday.
The Legion's service committee
announced that 1900 local members
would serve as special officers, not
to suppress antics" but to step In
If funmakers seriously incon-
venience the public"
City police soberly were instructed
when a Legionnaire comes into a
police station due to being unable
to care for himself, the desk officer
will Immediately communicate with
American Legion Service Commit
tee headquarters"
This system worked In 1887: No
Legionnaires were arrested, the
committee said.
Universal Training Fight Seen.
The Legion's National Defense
Committee was told by Representa-
tive Towe, Republican, of New Jer-
sey, that considerable opposition
could be expected for his bill In
Congress to provide a six-month
basic military training period for ali
American youths.
Mr.. Towe urged the Legion to join
in a pressure program" to push
the measure, adding, IT believe that
once the people understand the
program, the nature Of 1t and the
details, we can get 1t passed, despite
the coming presidential election
year."
Strong Legion backing for uni
versal military training was pre-
dicted Sunday by the Legion's ma
tional commander, Paul II. Grifnth
of Uniontown, Pa, on his arrival
here.
Rear Admiral John Gingrich, d.
rector for security and intelligence
for the United States Atomic
Energy Commission, told the
Civilian Defense Committee that
Adequate steps are being taken
for safeguarding atomic energy"
The committee may propose a
resolution urging presidential ap-
pointment Of an advisory committee
on internal security to plan counter
measures against atomic, bacteria
logical and chemical attack on
civilians.
Housing Stand Protested.
Walter E. Allessandroni, Phila-
delphia lawyer and former Marine
Corps captain, told the Legion's
Housing Committee that its stand
against the Wagner -Ellender- Taft
Housing bill was not representative
of rank-and-file membership but
because these boys at the table arc
against it."
A. E. Casgrain, chairman Of the
District of Columbia Legion Hous.
ing Committee, also spoke in behalf
of the bill, saying that I'VE are sur.
rounded by the most brazen lobby
that ever hit Washington right
here today"
Arthur I. Marcus OF Greendale
Wis, a committee member, replied
that the bill Is inadequate, woulc
establish "a huge bureaucracy" ane
would> provide only $4,000 renta
units land that will take years ane
years" ~
Senator Mccarthy, Republican, o.
Wisconsin, told the committee tina
Senator Taft, Republican, Of Ohio
q sponsor, "is not welded to" tn,
bill. He explained later that h.
meant Senator Taft does not oppos,
the bill but believes it needs further
study.
With Mr.. Marcus on the com
mittee are Richard Vail, Fresno
Calf; j. D. Sawyer. Middletown
Ohio; Richard c. Adwallader, Ba
ton Rouge, La, and Hayward S
Cleveland, Pert Washington, N. Y
Eight candidates for the post o
national commander set up suite
in the Hotel Pennsylvania Prelin
mary surveys indicated James F
O'Neil, police chief of Manchester
N. H., and vice chairman of the LIE
zion's Americanism Committee, hell
o slight lead in early stages OF cleo
pioneering.
Martin v. Coffey of Middletown
Ohio, and S. Perry Brown Of Beau
mont, Tex, were close competitors
leading to the possibility of three
way fight on the convention floor
Grand Jury
Continued From First Page.)