Evening star., 1954-08-08
D. {. 10 House
10000 During
Legion ParIey
Thousands Of Others
To BE Here for
Festival August 80
By John v. Horner
By John v. Horner

By John Y. Horner
Housing arrangements have
been made for approximately
10000 visitors coming to Wash
ington for the seth annual con-
vention Of the American Legion
late this month.
Legion spokesmen said yester-
day that another 5000 or 10000
persons will be here for the dur.
alton of the biggest convention
in Washington history, August
80 through September 2.
This is only a fraction of the
total number of visitors expected
in town in that period, however
Thousands of others will be here
at intervals in connection with
the veterans gathering.
On parade day-August 81
some Legionnaires expect Grove
of 100000 to throng the Capital
Many will participate in the big
procession starting at pm. The
others will watch the spectacle
from vantage points along
Pennsylvania and Constitution
avenues.
The 10000 for whom housing
already is arranged will be the
"hard core" of delegates and
their families attending business
meetings of the Legion and its
auxiliary, and functions sched-
uled in connection with the four
day meeting.
Most of these will arrive In
advance of the big conclave al
the National Guard Arnory
Many will remain after the for
NAL program is concluded.
Eisenhower to Speak.
William Hauck. director of the
Washington branch office OF
American Legion Headquarters
said housing arrangements have
been facilitated by the enthusi-
astic cooperation of hotel man.
agementS and the Washington
Board Of Trade. He said other
thousands can be accommodated
In remaining hotel rooms and
private homes, as the need arises.
The convention may be the
largest, in American Legion his
tory: Although Washington is
not as large as some convention
cities, Legionnaires throughout
the United States have indicated
an intention of bringing chill
dren as well as wives, this year,
In order to permit them to see
national shrines in the Capital
City.
The Legion boasts one of its
best convention programs to
date. President Eisenhower will
deliver the principal address on
opening day, August 80. Other
speakers then will include Fran
els Cardinal Spellman, Catholic
Archbishop of New York and
Admiral w. Radford. chairman
Of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
e Secretary of State Dulles is
expected to address one session
OF Legionnaires, possibly the din
ner to be given by National Com
mander Arthur j. Connell at
Hotel Statler.
Parade to be Tuesday.
The Commanders dinner will
attract one Of the most disting-
uiShed groups ever arranged by
the Legion. 1t will be held the
first night of the convention.
Tuesday will be given over to
the parade, always a highlight of
American Legion gatherings. So
many music organizations have
signed up to participate that
some members have wondered
whether there will be enough
marching units to separate the
bands.
Business meetings will occupy
the Legionnaires Wednesday,
September /. Officers will be
elected at the final session Sep
tember 2. These meetings will
feature addresses by:
Miss Waurir1e Walker, presi-
dent of the National Education
Association; E. Lamar Buckner,
president of the United States
Junior Chamber of Commerce:
Harvey Higley. administrator of
Veterans Affairs: George Meany,
president of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
Also. Walter P. Reuther, pres
ident of the Congress of Indus
trial Organizations; Henry Cabot
Lodge. Ambassador to the United
Nations; Ellsworth Bunker, pres
ident of the American Red Cross,
and Harold E. Fellows, president
of the National Association of
Radio and Television Broadcast
ers.
Auxiliary to Meet.
While the Legion meets at the
Armory, the Auxiliary will hold
sessions at its headquarters, the
Mayf1ower Hotel. .
Meanwhile. standing COM
missions and convention COM
mittees will conduct sessions be-
fore submitting final reports Tor
debate and action. Their SUBJ
jects include National security,
Americanism, foreign policy,
economics. child welfare, re-
habilitation of veterans and
legislative programs.
For the general public, how
ever. the parade will be the great
spectacle. It will wend its way
from Fourth street and Pensyl-
vania avenue NV. to the Treas
ury Building. south on Fifteenth
street and west on Constitution
avenue. Starting at 2 pm, it
is expected to continue until
midnight.
The grand marshal will be
Maj. Gen. John H. Stokes, COM
manding officer of the Military
District of Washington. Hon.