Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-31
Legion Heads Draft
Touehy Resolutions
For Official Action
By John v. Homer


lutions, some of which could be-
devil the Eisenhower admin
istration. are being framed pri-
vately today for action by the
American Legion. while public
attention is conferred upon the
eye catching parade downtown.
The resolutions being drafted
for the Legion convention session
tomorrow deal with basic for
elgn policy of the United States.
military preparedness and the
Government program for medi-
cal care of veterans.
Despite q reluctance to discuss
their plans in advance, members
of Legion policy committees con-
coded the convention delegates
probably will be urged to adj
vocate:
/. The rearmamenr OF Ger
many because France yesterday
killed the European Defense
Community pact.
2. United States withdrawal of
recognition from Soviet Russia.
3. Another plea for universal
military training, in the light Of
President Eisenhower's declara-
ton yesterday that a strong and
ready military reserve is his
prime legislative objective.
4. Continued plugging for full
veterans disqualification in a
finish fight with the American
Medical Association.
Serious Situation Seen.
Rogers Kelley. a lawyer from
Edinburg. Tex, who is chairman
of the Legion committee on for
eign relations. told reporters the
French National Assembly vote
against EDO puts the United
States in a very serious situa-
ton"
1.-THE VOTE" he said, "undoubt-
edly will have a bearing on our
discussions in the Foreign Re-
lations Committee and on our
recommendations to the conven-
ton.
Speaking personally. I believes
q resolution will be offered call
ing for the rearmament of
Germany"
Earlier, it had been disclosed
that a large percentage of reso-
lptions sent to the Kelley COM
mittee call for severance of
diplomatic relations with Russia.
Many other proposals forwarded
from State departments of the
American Legion demand that
either Russia be forced out of
the United Nations or that the
United States withdraw from
the U. N.
Sitting in on the foreign re-
1ations discussion as an observer
for the State Department. is
Vincent p. WILDER. himself a
member Of the Legion. =
UNIT Endorsement Seen.
President Eisenhower's adj
dress to the opening convention
session yesterday at the Ma
tional Guard Armory was widely
interpreted by Legionnaires as
an Endorsement Of the UNIT OBJ
jectives-but under some other
name.
The Legion's persistent fight
for the disqualification of vet
Grams with non-service con-
nected ailments was bolstered
by two top officials of the Vet
Grams Administration, Admins
traitor Harvey v. Higley and Vice
Admiral Joel T. Boone, chief
medical director.
But simultaneously. the Amer
lean Medical Association un-
leashed new assault on the
Legion. claiming it unwittingly
advances the cause of socialism
through their disqualification
program.
Claim Special Status.
DR.. George F. Lull, secretary
and general manager Of ANA,
charged that some leaders of
veterans groups claim prefer
entail status for all veterans"
I'm a democratic Nation" said
DR.. Lull, 1--WE cannot have two
types of citizenship. To serve
ones country is a duty and an
honor and the only claim which
any of us have as a basic right
is that principle for which we
fought-individual freedom and
dignity.
I'VE did not follow the colors
to become wards of the Govern
ment."
Admiral Boone took the ros-
trum in the convention hall to
assert that non-service con-
nected cases of veterans should
be handled by the Federal Gov
eminent and promised he will
do all he can to bring this about.
In a surprise appearance be-
lore the convention Rehabilita-
ton Committee later. Mr.. Hig-
ley pledged that he, too, viii
join the battle with ANA.
I'VE must close ranks" Mr..
Higley told the committee. ave
are playing for keeps. We must
see to it that nothing that is
vitality necessary to this program
should be touched.
"A lot Of other folks who have
other thoughts are really in
earnest. I don't think we should
underestimate what they intend
to do. or their ability to do it.
Mentions ANA.
Mr.. Higley did not mention
the ANA early in his talk, but
he said later: 81 guess we've ar
rived at the stage where we can
say we're talking about ANA"
The basis of the ANA concept,
Mr.. Higley said he has been told
nv ANA LADDERS iS that ao