Smyrna times., 1950-08-03
MAKES REPORT
ON BOYS NATION
Robert Bamberger Returns
From Six-Day Conference
in Washington
HELD IMPORTANT POST

y
Robert Bamberger stated upon his
return from the six-day conference
held in Washington, D. c., and
sponsored by the American Legion.
TT not only allowed us to make
a study of government by actually
seeing it in action but it then gave
us an opportunity to reproduce
what we saw and learned in our
Boys Nation sessions" he added.
In line with the learn by doing"
theme of the Legion's youth edu-
cation program, Boys Nation was
designed to show the youth of the
country the facts of democratic
government. All delegates were
classified as senators during the
session and divided into Federalist
and Nationalist parties. Bamber-
ger, a Federalist, was appointed
by the president of Boys Nation
as chairman of the Atomic Energy
Commission. He also served on
the judiciary committee to study
the Subersive Activities Control
Act of 1850 which is an actual
pending bill introduced by Senator
Mundt of South Dakota. The boys
passed the bill, nearly unanimous
ly. The Federalist party was sue
cessful in electing George Jeffreys
of Oregon and Thomas Rutter of
Pennsylvania as president and vice
president respectively after actual
conventions, nominations, and
elections. The current Brannan
Plan was also discussed during the
boys senate session by the Agri-
culture Committee. The Boys Ma
tion senate session was conducted
in the caucus room of the senate
office building with Emory Frazer,
chief clerk of the U. S. Senate, ad-
vising. Some highlights of the
convention included meeting Presi-
dent Harry S. Truman in his White
House Office individually and then
hearing short address by him,
visiting Secretary of State Dean
Acheson, who spoke to the group
and had them briefed on some
communist hot points, the pur-
pose of the State Department, and
the Korean situation by a state de-
partment official, and tour of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
1T made you realize that these gov
ernment officials were just ordin-
ary people like you and me with
responsible positions entrusted to
them," Bamberger commented. The
boys also met Secretary of Defense
Louis Johnson, Secretary of Army
Frank Pace, Secretary of Navy
Francis p. Matthews, and Secre-
tary of Air Force Thomas K. Fin
letter. At the Pentagon they were
briefed on the Korean situation by
the General in charge of informa-
ton on the Far East War. They
also toured the United States Su-
preme Court Building and Supreme
Court Chamber and met Associate
Justice Harold H. Burton. One of
the outstanding memories in Rob-
ert's mind of the convention is the
placing of a wreath on the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier. The Amer
lean Legion National Guard Of
Honor was present for the occasion
as well as the Army Band which
usually plays only when the Presi-
dent makes public appearance.
The delegates to Boys Nation
were welcomed by DR.. Paul e.
Douglas, president of the American
University in Washington, who was
instrumental in aiding the Legion
in organizing this convention five
years ago. Prior to 1850, the Boys
Nation was conducted on the uni
versity campus. This year the boys
were quartered at Fort Myer, Va,
and Col. Colt, commanding officer
there, arranged a display of equip
ment and personnel of the 1st Bat
talon of the 3rd Infantry Division
showing equipment now being used
in Korea. Earl Cooke Jr., chair !
man of the National Security Com
mission of the American Legion, /
addressed the Boys Nation and
Speaker of the House Sam Rey- !
burn and Congressman James Dav- !
is of Georgia, conducted an open
forum on house procedure.
RadiO-Press Banquet
According to Bamberger, one of
the big events of the trip was the
Radio-Press Banquet at the Off,
GERS Club of FIT. Myer with Felix
Morley, NBC Washington cores
pondent; Peter Edison, Washington
columnist for Newspaper Enter
(Continued on Page Ten)