Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-10-18
Legion Asks Truman
TO Prevent Strikes in
Defense Industries
By the Associated Press

DEIclI9E lluu9iIIc9
BY the Associated Press
MIAMI. Fla, Oct. 18. -. The
American Legion called on Presi-
dent Truman today to prevent
strikes and slowdowns in key de-
Tense industries which the Legion
said have endangered the lives
of Americans fighting in Korea.
The action came in adoption of
a resolution prepared by the Le-
gion's Security Committee. The
resolution said:
There now exists certain work
stoppages and slowdowns in key
Industries contributing to our
national security which have de-
Ilayed impeded and in instances
actually stopped essential war
production. thus directly jeopar-
dizing unnecessarily the lives of
our armed forces personnel in
Korea -"
Urged to Take Action.
| Mr.. Truman was urged to take
such action as necessary" to
prevent any such developments In
the war industries.
The convention also urged
Congress to pass laws which would
provide the same punishment for
draft dodgers "as those who de-
sert in the face of the enemy"
AS the session opened, delegate
shouted objection to a newspaper
headline that the convention yes
terday had cheered IAN attack on
the President" by Gen. Mac
Arthur. t.-..-
Gen. Macarthur lashed out at
Truman administration policies
yesterday to the cheers of the
convention.
Ruled Out of Order.
Bill Murad of Cleveland. urged
the convention go on record that
we never have cheered against the
President of the United States"
He is vice commander Of the 18th
Legion District.
Mr.. Murad said the cheers were
for Gen. Macarthur himself and
not directed against Mr.. Truman.
He got a round of applause but
the chairman ruled the motion
was out of order and would have
to be referred to committee for
action.
The convention approved q
resolution favoring an American
foreign legion of free men" which
would accept displaced persons
and ti-Communists In the West
ern defense armies.
Green Hits Controls Law.
President William Green Of the
American Federation of Labor said
Congress has sanctioned ruthless
|profiteering and price gouging" in
the present price controls laws.
He told the final session Of the
Legion convention the twin evils
Of imitation and a housing crisis
ARE threatening to undermine the
morale Of American defense
workers.
The delegates appeared ready to
elect Don r. Wilson Of Clarksburg,
w. Va, as their new national
commander to succeed Erie Cooke,
jr., of Georgia. Mrs. E. A. Camp
bell Of Homer. La, will be the
new president Of the American
Legion Auxiliary. She has no op-
position.
Warns of Morale Peril.
Mr.. Green said the American
workers are supporting the mobil-
ization effort. But he added:
IF this popular spirit and NOR
ale is to be maintained. none
must be permitted to exploit the
lpressures Of emergency for their
own selfish purposes or to
profit from the sacrifices of their
neighbors.
-. we have an act (price con-
troll which lends the sanction of
Congress to the ruthless profit
eering and price gouging which
has occurred since the, outbreak
of the war in Korea"
MIR. Green said 1t is the people
who must bear the brunt of the
conflict with communism. Then
he warned: mo amount Of mill
tary might. economic strength
or potential productive capacity
could suffice to take US to victory
If the people of this country
were to be made cynical, disillu-
stoned and embittered at the
trend of events"
Pledges Fight on Reds.
The convention renewed a de-
mand that the Communist Party
be outlawed in this country and
commended labor for its fight
against communism. It pledged
a drive to expose and fight Com
munists and their fellow travellers
In the entertainment world.
The Legion approved a 15-point
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