Evening star., 1948-06-18
Leonard Walsh
Given Post on
Armory Board
Latest Step to Solve
Dispute Between
D. c. and Guard

lAttofney Leonard r. -WalSll, 1oI
n,er football line coach at George
Washington University and presi-
dent OF the Touchdown Club in
lS45, was chosen today as the third
member of the new District Armory
Board.
1.-THE selection, as provided by law,
Was made by Chairmen Buck and
Dirksen of the Senate and House
District Committees.
Mr.. Walsh, who is A and a native
OF Wisconsin, will serve on the board
with two others, John Russell
Young, president of the District
Commissioners, and Brig. Gen. AL
bert L. Cox, commanding general OF
the District National Guard.
appointment of Mr.. Walsh is the
latest step to solve the long dispute
between the Commissioners and the
National Guard over control of the
Armory.
Board to Select Manager.
His appointment was announced
this morning at the Capitol after a
conference between Mr.. Walsh,
Senator Buck and Mr.. Dirksen.
The two congressional District
leaders we're authorized by the new
District Armory Board law to select
the third member.
One of the most important tasks
now facing the three-man board
will be the selection of a full-time
manager to handle the affairs OF the
big Armory.
Mr.. Walsh. who lives at 1914 Ben
ton street NV, was selected from
among eight men recommended for
the lob. In effect, he will act as a
referee in all decisions affecting con-
troll of the activities in the building
outside Of the section specifically set
aside for control by the National
Guard.
Position Pays No Salary.
Because of the long-standing feud
between the Commissioners and
Guard officials, it is expected that
MI. Walsh will have many i'm
portant decisions to make in which
his vote will be the deciding factor.
The Armory board position carries
no salary.
II naturally am interested in the
Armory problem from the stand
point of District resident and
taxpayer, but I'm not too familiar
with the details as yet" Mr.. Walsh
said after his appointment was
announced.
A star football player in his COL
lege days at the University OF
Minnesota, Mr.. Walsh has been
active in the sports life of the Dis
trict. He was president of the
Touchdown Club, the outstanding
sports group of the city, and has
acted as general chairman for its
annual dinner.
While In the University of Mime
sofa he won his letter in football
in 1928, 1926 and 1927. He was
nominated All-American guard in
1925 by Walter Eckersall of the
Chicago Tribune.
Taught at George Washington.
Mr.. Walsh was on the staff of the
School of Education of George
Washington University from 1929
until 1885. While there, in addition
to his teaching he was line coach
of the football team.
While coaching here, Mr.. Welsh
persuaded GWU's famous football
star, "Tuffy" Leemans, to attend
college here. Both were born ir
Superior, Wis, and had been friends
for years.
Following his education at the
University of Minnesota, Mr.. Walsh
attended National University here
where he obtained his law degree,
Admitted to the District bar ir
1893, he practiced law and was ad'
mitted to the Supreme Court in 1943
He maintains Offices in the Bari
Building. He is a member of the
District and American Bar Associa-
tions.
Among his other activities, Mr.
Walsh is member of the Washing
ton Board of Trade, director OF
the Police Boys Club and member
of the knights of Columbus and
Early Birds Breakfast Club.
He is married and has a son.