Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-07

NIuIVS
O'NeiI Asks Thorough
Check for Communists
On Federal Rolls
James r. O'Neil, national COM
mander of the American Legion, last
night warned that concentrated ef-
fort to discredit the Congressional
hearings on Communist activities in
the Government now underway
"smacked of Communist origin"
Speaking before the 30th annual
District Legion convention at the
Statler Hotel, Mr.. O'Neil called on
Congress to continue its investiga-
ton of the Communists in the Gov
eminent
What has been revealed to date
justif1es a fortnight continuance Of
the Investigations" he said. "The
Legion calls upon Congress
to sustain the probe to the fullest
degree, without fear or favor. Let's
clear the air and give the people the
facts to which they are entitled"
Probe Called Gratifying"
Mr.. O'Neil said it was gratifying"
to see committees of Congress step
in and probe the scope of Red infil-
tration" In the absence of announced
or unarnounced concerted action by
the Government to dislodge Com
munism.
He continued:
ut Is true that Federal grand
jury has indicted - key Com
munists for plotting the overthrow
of the Government by force. While
this move is significant as the first
official charge recognizing the ulti-
mate purpose of their operations,
it does not in itself guarantee con-
elusive action. Too often in the
past, Communist big-wigs have
been hauled on the carpet with
appropriate pomp and ceremony
only to be quietly dismissed later.
1.-The practice of cutting commun-
ism with one hand and coddling it
with the other has become all too
popular in Government circles"
Loyalty Check Held Failure.
The Legion commander said the
loyalty check was supposed to clean
out the unfaithful, but it had fallen
short of expectations because Of an
assortment of "beWildering and ex-
aSperating reasons, mostly admin
istrative." He added that for years
the American Legion has been
pointing finger at communism as q
menace to the security of the coun-
try.
Mr.. O'Neil also called for Congress
to combine the veterans homestead
bill and the Taft-Ellender- Wagner
housing bill into one overall CT
housing measure to help the mil
lion or so veterans desperately seek
Ing homes and apartments"
AS the convention continued, the
election of officers for the coming
year was scheduled for late today.
Killiuk Slated for Commander.
Nominated for department COM
were:
David E. Killiuk, present depart
ment adjutant and a member Of
Vincent B. Costello Post No. IS, who
is an employe of the Rost ONCE De-
partment.
Gerald Ryan, a member of the
Commerce Post, No. As, who is per-
sonnet director of the Commerce
Running for the Office Of national
executive committeeman is Owen C.
Holleran, retiring department COM
and Joseph j. Malloy. who
has held the Office for the past IL
years.
Candidates for vice commander.
five of whom will be chosen, are:
Walter A. Jackson, Mrs. Ruth B.
Mckenzie, Walter l.. Morgan, jr..
Charles T. Bell, Joseph A. Walker,
ST., William johnson, DR.. T. Edward
Jones, George c. Kraus and Thomas
P. Royston, ST..
Candidates for alternate national
executive committeeman are James
D. Hill and William G. holland.
Also to be elected today are dele
gates and alternates to the national
convention to be held in Miami in
October.
Resolutions Adopted.
Tho nnauoy,finyn olNY>taI
tons calling for:
Establishment Of a national con-
servation committee; legislation for
Qualification and modernization of
laws pertaining to military and
naval justice; creation of a woman
reserve for the United States
Coast Guard; extension for one
year by the Veterans Administra-
ton for an additional year to REIN
state lapsed National Service Life
Insurance; investigation by Con-
gress of allegations that the Navy
has been prohibited by high author
ity from presenting to Congress and
the public its views on maintenance
of its own integrated air arm;
housing legislation by Congress-; ex-
tension of benefits of the CT Bill
of Rights.
The Watson B. Miller trophy to
the post whose member gave dis
tinguished service during the year
was presented to U. S. s. Jacob
Jones Post No. for Mrs. Anne
Frames work in behalf Of the Legion
housing program.
Awards for membership growth
were presented to the following,
posts: BeIleau Wood Post No. g.
District Of Columbia Taxi Post No.
81, Kenneth H. Nash Post No. g.
Leslie and Douglas McNair Post No.,
50, Department of Labor Post No.
40, James Reese Europe Post No. s.
The Thad Dulin Post trophy for
Boy Scout work went to the FBII
Post No. Sc.
Awards for outstanding work in
the Legion went to the following:
Sylvan King, John A. Smith, Walter
A. jackson, Frank J. Felker. Joseph
Rogers, James Munro, Waldron E.
Leonard, Charles Kohen, James,
Pistorio, Leo Mcclure, Porter L.
Bush, Chester A. Bennett, Victor
Farrer, Mr.. Kisliuk, John J. Nc
Ginty, James A. Neill, Harold Nc
Laughlin and Mr. Walker.