THE AMERICAN 20c»DECEMBER 1969

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EMPLOYER S^'LOcAit 69-.

CURRENT DEBT ^ 72.0 o moT^l^ki^ PAST DUE OWN OR RENT HOUSE, APT. MONTHLY INCOME tl050 LEGAL JUDGEMENTS

LIENS i'I^OQ4cucliita/y,

INSURANCE / HEALTH MARITAL STATUS

/ HABITS MORALS Church

MILITARY I I ROTC ON CAMPUS: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

THE FIRST NON-STOP FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

INTERPOL . . . THE WORLDWIDE POLICE FORCE We hate to see shot leave you flat.

This is an enlarged photo of some No. 6 from flattening out shot fired from a shotgun shell with an against the bore. It ordinary wad. Instead of leaving the doesn't change the muzzle round, it came out battered and spread of the shot. That's flattened. determined by the choke of your barrel You can't expect pel- — cylinder, modified, full choke. But it lets like these to fly true. does keep more of the "flyers" that They tend to wander off normally go wild inside the effective into the landscape. pattern. Shot from a Reming- Result? You don't get a smaller pat- ton-Peters shell with the tern with the "Power Piston" wad. It's patented "Power Piston" just as big. But you get a more evenly one-piece wad shoots dispersed pattern, with up to 10% more straight. Because it stays shot in it. round. That means you have about a 10% The reason is simple. better chance to bag your game. The "Power Piston" wad We think that's a pretty good reason cushions and protects shot, keeps it to give it a shot.

"RBmington", "Polers" iiii'd "Ppw-ar Pislon" Keg. U.S. P.it Off. bv Ruiiiiiigton Arms Oimpany, Inc.. flridxepiirt. Conn. 0Hfi02 ;:

The American

DECEMBER 1969

Volume 87, Number 6 LEGION CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Notify Circulation Dept., P. O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, Ind., 46206 using Post Office Form 3578. Attach old address label and give old and new addresses with ZIP Code Magazine number and current membership card number. Al3o be sure to notify your Post Adjutant.

The American Legion Magazine Editorial & Advertising Offices Contents for December 1969 1345 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10019

Publisher, James F. O'Neil

Editor PROBLEMS WITH CREDIT INVESTIGATIONS 6 Robert B. Pitkin By JOHN THOMAS Art Editor Al Marshall A glimpse into the complex world of credit bureaus and other private investigators whose methods have caused Assistant Editors John Andreola Congressional and consumer concern. Mario V. Lubrano

Associate Editors THE FIRST Roy Miller NON-STOP FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC 12 James S. Swartz BY LESTER DAVID Assistant Art Editor Eight years before Lindbergh made his solo flight across the Walter H. Boll Atlantic, two Englishmen, now little remembered, Production Manager "showed him the way." Here's their story. Art Bretzfield Copy Editor ROTC ON CAMPUS: CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE 18 Grail S. Hanford Circulation Manager BY FRANK N. TRACER Dean B. Nelson 'Militants" are trying to drive reserve officer training off Indianapolis, Ind. American campuses. As a matter of fact, some changes Advertising Sales in may be in order, though ROTC hardly the Robert Redden Associates, Inc. ones you've been reading most about. Ill West 57th Street New York, N.Y. 10019 212-246-2546 SHOULD THE UNITED STATES RETAIN ITS The American Legion OIL IMPORT QUOTA SYSTEM? .24 Publications Commission: James E. Powers, Macon, Ga. (Chairman TWO SIDES OF A NATIONAL, QUESTION J ; Benjamin B. Truskoski, Bristol, Conn. PBo: SEN. TED STEVENS (R-ALASKA) (Vice Chairman) ; James R. Kelley, Radnor, Pa. con: SEN. THOMAS J. McINTYRE (D-N.H.) (National Commander's Representative J ; Lang Armstrong, Spokane, Wash.; Charles E. Booth, Huntington, 0'. Va.\ Clovis Copeland, Little INTERPOL THE WORLDWIDE POLICE NETWORK 26 Rock, Ark.; Raymond Fields, Guymon, Okla.; BY THOMAS A. HOGE Milford A. Forrester, Greenville, S.C.; Chris Hernandez, Savannah, Ga.; Mylio S. Kraja, A look at Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization), Youngstown, Ohio; Russell H. Laird, Des the little-known global crime -fighting network Moines, Iowa; Howard E. Lohman, Moorhead, Minn.; Frank that spreads over 101 nations. C. Love, Syracuse, N.Y.; Morris Meyer, Starkville, Miss.; J. H. Morris, Baton Rouge, La.; Harry H. Schaffer, Pitts- burgh, Pa.; George Sinopoli, Fresno, Calif.; THE BULGE—25 YEARS LATER 31 George B. Stover, Jonestown, Pa.; Wayne L. Talbert, Delphi, Ind. BY GEORGE BUSH ; J. Cornelius Tromp, Manhattan, III.; Robert H. Wilder, Dadeville,

Some views of the Ardennes a quarter century after Ala. ; E. Meade Wilson, Mulberry, Fla. Adolph Bremer, Winona, Minn. (Consultant) the WW2 Battle of the Bulge. ; Edward McSweeney, New York, N.Y. (Con- sultant)

The American Legion is THE TROUBLE WITH PEACE NEGOTIATIONS . . . Magazine published monthly at 1100 West Broadway, Louisville, BEFORE THE FIGHTING IS OVER 44 Ky. 40201 by The American Legion, Copyright A "mystery" feature quoting what well-known American? 1969 by The American Legion. Second-class postage paid at Louisville, Ky. Price : single copy, 20 cents ; yearly subscription, S2.00. Order nonmember subscriptions from the Cir- Departments culation Department of The American Legion, P.O. Box 1954, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.

Editorial and advertising offices: 1345 Avenue PERSONAL 2 VETERANS NEWSLETTER 32 of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019. Wholly owned by The American Legion with LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 4 NEWS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION 33 National Headquarters at Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. J. Milton Patrick, National Commander. DATELINE WASHINGTON 17 LEGION SHOPPER 55

LIFE IN THE OUTDOORS 23 PARTING SHOTS 56 NONMEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS Send name and address, including ZIP num- ber, with 82 check or money order le Circulation Dept., P. O. Box 1954, Indian- Manuscripts, artwoi-k, cartoons submitted for consideration will not be returned unless a self-addressed, apolis, Ind. 46206. stamped envelope is included. Ttiis magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material! POSTMASTER: Send Form 3579 to P.O. Box 1954 Indianapolis, Ind. 46206

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 I —

PERSONAL

When your WISE MONEY MANAGEMENT. daughter says YOU AND YOUR HEALTH. that Field & WINTER TRAVEL TIPS. Stream's aroma Now that 1969 is drawing to a close, here are three important pocketbook reminds her reminders: of a great 1. Securities: If you plan to sell some of your holdings to generate a loss for income tax purposes, Dec. 31 is the last day you may do so. Con- autumn day in versely, if you want to sell to establish a capital gain, Dec. 23 is the deadline (with minor exceptions). the woods... Remember this about deliberate loss-selling: You can deduct up to $1,000 of red ink from your income (and carry any remainder forward into ensuing years). But you can't re -buy the security you sold at a loss within 30 days and also keep the tax break. You can, however, do this: Sell security A at a loss, then buy a comparable security B with proceeds of A. 2. Charitable gifts: Crowd as many of your intended donations as possible into 1969. Chances are this will give you the best tax advantage. 3. Savings: In their efforts to get your patronage, banks are devising a wide range of savings plans, including a tantalizing double-your-money program. So shop around before making sizable deposits. Incidentally, if the double-your-money idea fascinates you, here's a quick formula for calculating double-ups: Start with the number 72. Then ask yourself: If I can get 5% interest, how long will it take me to double my money, providing I let the interest compound? Answer: Divide the interest rate (5) into 72, giving you roughly 14 V2. That's the number of years it will take to do the trick. Now reverse the proposition and ask: If I want to double my money in ten years, what interest rate do I need? Answer: Divide the number of years (10) into 72. The 7.2 outcome is the required interest rate.

Will flu strike this winter as dramatically and fatally as last year when the A-2 (Hong Kong) strain made its attack? Medical authorities say no. They think that the 1969-70 winter season will see only sporadic cases of any kind of flu. Shots are not recommended for healthy adults and children (though they're a good precaution for those in a wobbly physical condition). Also worth noting on the health front: The advent of eyeglasses intended to supersede bi-focals and tri-focals. The idea is a single lens (instead of a panel of lenses) capable of producing a continuous far-to-near focus as your eye moves downward. Early estimates of the new zoom-like invention: Fine for some people, others complain of peripheral blurring. In time, say e-xperts, quality will improve, and so will price (now pretty steep). Meantime, think about equipping your school youngsters with shatter- proof glasses (mandatory in some schools, particularly in workshops). The glass-plastic variety has fine quality and scratch-resistance, though the cost, of course, is higher than for all-glass lenses.

start Travel to the sunny climates this winter is going to be a repeat of the last couple of years—lots of traffic, sell-outs during the holiday season and somewhat higher costs. Figure it this way: saving • If you go by plane, domestic and Caribbean fares are higher than last year. Five percent is close to the mark. Hotel rates generally are up, too, and you should be sure of a booking before you start. up the • If you take the cruise route (in which case the ship is your hotel), your chances of getting accommodations are good. Still more space has been added this season, and rates haven't changed noticeably. dowry. • Looking ahead at 1970: The jumbo jets will go into service early in the year (after a delay of a couple of months), meaning that air fares for group travel will come way down, particularly to Europe. Also, expect a lot of travel to Japan because of 1) cheaper rates, and 2) the big fair Expo 70 that's scheduled to begin March 15. —By Edgar A. Grunwald A quality pfoduct ol Philip Morns U.S.A.

2 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 . . .

To the U. S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard ... To the National Guard and

The American Legion . . To everyone who ever wore the uniform . . To everyone who ever marched or blew a bugle or stood guard duty or did K. P And to everybody in this bourbon-lovin' land . .

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 3 The Legion chartered a number of ships which sailed from various Atlantic LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ports. The S.S. Leviathan had on board Gen. John J. Pershing and National Commander Howard P. Savage and his staff. Our delegation embarked on the Letters -published do not necessarily ex- tensive electronic and highly sophisti- S.S. Caledonia, The minimum one-way press the policy of The American Legion. Keep letters short. Name and address must cated weaponry systems, nuclear pro- fare was $90. be furnished. Expressions of opinion and pulsion and other technological advance- Sailing time was midnight, Sept. 10, requests for personal services are appreci- ated, but they cannot be acknoioledged or ments, the United States is far ahead of 1927. At about 11 p.m., Grover Whalen, aiiswered. due to lack of magazine staff for the rest of the world: the United States then director of the old Wanamciker store these purposes. Requests for personal serv- in later ices ivhich may be legitimately asked of has built more nuclear powered vessels and years New York's Police TJie American Legion should be made to than the rest of the world combined. Commissioner, strolled down the pier your Post Service Officer or your state (Dei^artment) American Legion Hq. Send I predict that our leadership in nu- in his inimitable manner. He was proud- letters to the editor to; Letters. The clear propulsion, which to date has been ly leading the John Wanamaker Post American Legion Magazine. 1345 Avenue of Band, its ihe Americas. New YorVc, N.Y. 10019. concentrated in naval ship construction, members and auxiliary. will eventually be reoriented toward the We landed at Le Havre about mid- rebuilding of our aging merchant fleet. night, Saturday, Sept. 17, and arrived The economics of nuclear propulsion are in Paris the next morning. A military DEFLATING INFLATION most attractive in the high horsepower mass was held at Notre Dame Cathedral. SIR: I read every article I can get my ranges. It follows, therefore, that ap- On Monday, at 1 p.m., the Legion pa- hands on about money management. plication of this energy source' will be rade got under way along the Champs- Your article, "How to Stretch Your In- to high-speed ships capable of 35 knots Elysees. Members of our Post were led flated Money" (October), by Lester or better. Since cargoes gravitate to the by Police Lieutenant Nestor. We car- David, surpasses them all. If all the peo- fastest ships, the development of a nu- ried the National, State and New York ple who are having money-management clear powered American merchant Police colors and a banner reading "La- problems would read it and trj' even marine would assure that our fleet, fayette Police Post 460 of New York a few of the money stretching ideas, I'm which now transports only 6% of the City" to .let the French know that we sure the squeeze would ease up a bit. nation's international commerce, would were New York City gendarmes. Spec- As for my family and myself, we are again be restored to a prominent posi- tators cheered wildly as we marched by. going to try as many of the ideas pre- tion on the world's seas. The day had been declcired a national sented as we possibly can. Then instead Edwin M. Hood, President holiday in honor of the Legion. of just making it, maybe we can have Shipbuilders Council of America On Sept. 21, the New York delegation a few dollars in our pockets and we'll Washington, D.C. tendered a dinner to its colorful Mayor, help hold those prices down. Thanks for James J. Walker, at the Hotel Continen- printing something that's hitting every HEADACHES tal. Maj. William Deegan was dinner home. SIR: With reference to your September chairman and Thomas Nielson, then a Robert H. Czaplewski article, "What We Know About Head- detective and New York County Legion houp City, Nehr, aches," by Jules Saltman, I would like to Commander, acted as master of cere- say that my wife has suffered from mi- monies. Besides Mayor Walker, other AMERICA'S CLIPPERS—TODAY graines for years, and while you have at- distinguished guests at the dinner were sir: Reading the article on "The Story of tempted to describe the pain that persons Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Generalissimo the American Clipper Ships" (Septem- subject to these sick headaches undergo, of Allied Armies in France during WWl, ber), I was struck by the affinity of I doubt if anyone can effectively portray and Gen. Henri Gourand, then Military speed to solvency in merchant shipping their anguish. However, recent research Governor of Paris. operations. For many years, I have heard offers some hope for migraine sufferers. Before the Convention officially end- shipowners say that cargoes are at- At a convention of the American Medi- ed, and for some time thereafter, thou- tracted by fast ships. That was certainly cal Association here in New York this sands of Legionnaires visited the WWl demonstrated by the wondrous clipper year, it was reported that injections of a battlegrounds and military cemeteries ships of the mid-1800's; by the steamers chemical called heparin have been found in France. Others toured Europe. A that replaced them; by the merchant to help. Heparin keeps blood flowing group of police and firemen took off by ships of recent years, and by the high- without clotting and it is in most people's plane for Ireland. Returning chartered speed bargeships and containerships now blood. The doctor who conducted the ships stopped at Southampton and Cobh planned or under construction. Ulti- research found that in the cases he stud- to pick up homebound Legionnaires. mately, the transition to nuclear power ied, not enough natural heparin was That was a long time ago. But the will follow the same pattern. getting to the site of the ache. When he memory of the 9th American Legion The author. Lynwood Mark Rhodes, injected the patient with heparin the Convention in Sept. 1927 still lives in the refers to clipper ships as "cathedrals of headache soon stopped. There is, un- hearts of all who were in Paris then. American talent." That kind of "talent" doubtedly, more to be done in this di- We will remember that Convention for and expertise still prevail here. While rection, but I thought I would pass this as long as we are here to remember it. both our naval and merchant fleets are along for whatever hope it might give to James W. Dunne afflicted by a high ratio of ships built those who suffer the "classic" migraine. Walden, N.Y. nearly a quarter-century ago, the fact Walter L. Marshall remains that in terms of ship design and Neiv York, N.Y. "MAIL CALL" RESPONSE ship construction—as measured by fast, sir: We would like to take this oppor- highly efficient merchant and naval SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF tunity to say "Thank you" to your read- ships produced in this country in recent THE 1927 PARIS CONVENTION ers. In the past months since publication years—the United States is unsurpassed. sir: This year marks the 50th Anniver- of our "letter to the editor," "Mail Call For example. The United States sary of the founding of The American Vietnam" has received over 10,000 pioneered the containership revolution Legion. In recalling some of the out- Christmas cards and letters to be sent to and has an impressive lead over other standing events of the Legion's past 50 Americans serving in Vietnam. There maritime nations in this field. Currently, years, one in particular comes to mind, was a tremendous response from Alaska the United States is in the forefront in and that is the 9th National Convention to Florida. developing a new breed of cargo ships held in Paris in September 1927. We feel this Christmas will be a little which will handle preloaded barges and New York City employees were given bit more of a Christmas to everyone lighters. Fourteen such ships are under a 30-day leave to attend the Conven- involved. construction in U.S. yards as compared tion, and, with 12,000 other Legionnaires, Barbara A. Scarpato to two being built in foreign yards. In 400 members of the New York City Po- "Mail Call Vietnam" naval ship construction involving ex- lice Department made the trip. Villanova, Pa.

4 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 - ,

Look what Legion Auxiliary "^600 in Champiin, Minnesota got free:

40-cup percolator folding table Thermo Servers® dish truck 2 lamps and silverware

What would your group like to get free?

Could your group use some new furnishings STARTER OFFER or equipment? Like to donate a movie projector 500 FREE GIFT STARS Gift Stars Group to your local library? Projects You can get almost anything P.O. Box 1775 free when you start a Gift Stars Group Savings Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440 Program. Please send me full details of the Gift Stars Group Savings Pro- gram plus coupon worth 500 Gift Stars when matched by an Gift Stars are the coupons that come on every equal number of regular Gift Stars (100 cigarette coupons). Limit: one offer per group. Void where prohibited, taxed, restricted. pack of Old Gold Filters, Old Gold Straights and Name. Spring Menthol cigarettes. Good for anything from a carving set to a 60-passenger school bus. You Address. tell us what your group wants and we'll tell you how City .state. .Zip. many Gift Stars are needed. Group Name. Interested? Send in this coupon. We'll send

you free details plus a coupon worth 500 Gift Stars Number of Members Copyright 1969 Lorillard Corp. to get your program off to a good start. A.L.I.

THE AMERICAN LEGION iVIAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 s

Character appraisal by a private agency can come from many sources, cover everything from man- ners to morals, affect an individual's credit or job. ProblemsWith By JOHN THOMAS A glimpse of the complex world of private MAKING ONLY a few routinc in- BYquiries and checking some public records, a skilled credit, insur- investigation where intrusions into people^ ance or personnel investigator could learn a catalogue of facts about you for a client. Here, for example, are some debate. of the things he can find out about you lives have set off nationwide and place in files that are available na- tionally to any merchant, insurance com- pany, employer or government investi- often and for what purposes; whether you sional "spats" among family members. gator: repay loans on time; and whether you Whether you are in good health now; Whether you are a good breadwinner have any loans outstanding against you. if you underwent surgery in the past and —a steady worker, or a job-hopper; how How much your house is worth; for what ailments; whether you were long you have worked at your past and whether you keep it in good repair; ever treated for a serious illness or con- present places of employment; what what kinds of locks are on the doors and fined for a mental illness. jobs you have held; how much your in- windows; if you have any tenants and, Whether you drink intoxicants; what come is now and how much you earned if so, what rent they pay. you drink (beer, wine, whiskey); how in the past; how you get along with your Whether you have had a car accident much and how often you drink; whether co-workers, and if there are any criti- in recent years; whether you are a reck- you are a social drinker and, if so, if you cisms of you on the job. less or careful driver; if you drive after are a quiet or boisterous one. Whether you meet your financial obli- taking a few drinks. Whether you have ever been arrested; gations when due; how you pay your Whether you are married, single, di- what you were charged with; what pun- bills, whether you are a "slow payer" or vorced or widowed; how old you are; ishment you got. a "no-payer"; whether you are in debt. if married, the first name and age of Whether you have had any lawsuits About how much you have in your your spouse, the names and ages of your filed against you or have ever been in- checking account; whether you borrow children, and whether there are occa- volved in any legal tangles.

6 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DEC EMBER 1969 Credit Investigations

What kinds of people you associate price we have to pay for progress. As with; if they are known or suspected long as the encroachments on our privacy criminals, sex deviates, dope addicts or are "reasonable," they say, there should any other undesirable types. be no cause for alarm. All this prying into people's private As a matter of fact, even the severest lives by credit bureaus and private in- of the more knowledgeable critics of the vestigative agencies has aroused na- main types of private investigating tionwide concern. The firms are being agencies do not argue against their need. attacked for conducting unreasonable The ease with which the average citizen intrusions into citizens' right to privacy. gets credit today (as compared to 30 Critics are demanding legislation to years ago) is largely due to the great bring private investigators under gov- growth of credit bureaus. If your record ernment control. Hearings have been is good, you can sometimes get credit held, and bills to regulate credit bureaus within a few minutes even if you have and private investigators have been in- just moved into a new town. The chief troduced in Congress and in state legis- reason is that the firm you ask to trust latures, though few states have enacted you can check up on you with unbeliev- legislation. able speed by contacting the credit bu- The nub of the dispute centers on reau or bureaus that it uses. Sometimes how much privacy an American is en- this can happen while you are still look- titled to. Some sociologists and other ex- ing at the merchandise you want to perts say that the right of privacy is charge. In fact. Credit Data Corp., which more precious than ever, that more and is the first credit bureau to operate coast more people are crowding into less and to coast on a computer system, states less living space. But they claim that that it can give any of its subscribers a some loss of privacy is an inevitable report on your credit in two or three THE AMERICAN LEGION CONTfNUED If so, an investigator was assigned to check you out. First, he conducted a Problems With Credit Investigations neighborhood check. He interviewed the landlord or superintendent of your apartment building. If you lived in a one- minutes if it has a record of how you ruptcy, arrest, lawsuit, etc. (One of the or two-family house, he spoke with paid your previous charges. It has par- big beefs is that few bureaus check up to your next door neighbors. He asked these tial credit records on about 27 million see if you were found guilty or innocent, people whether you paid your bills on or lost the lawsuit, etc.) Americans and adds about half a mil- won time, if you were a financially respon- lion a year. Some credit bureaus will go for more, sible person, how well you got along with and try to collect the sort of character The previous payment records of all your spouse and neighbors, and if there the credit customers of the firms that appraisal of you that some types of in- were any criticisms of your morals, hab- surance companies and many employers use Credit Data go onto that bureau's its or associates. He asked about your tapes. If you have just moved from San who are hiring executives want. In this health. He checked with your butcher, Francisco to New York, Credit Data case you may have become the subject grocer and other retail merchants. of an additional private investigation. can probably speedily tell an inquiring Next, the investigator checked on you New York bank how well you paid your at your place of employment. He asked debts in San Francisco. Challenged to how long you had worked there, the come up with a report on Congressman nature of your job, how much you Benjamin Rosenthal (N.Y.) in two min- earned and whether there were any utes. Credit Data took about five min- garnishees against your income. Then he utes, but that was from a Congressional called the bank where you kept a check- hearing room in Washington via tele- ing account. Savings banks, as a rule, phone to New York. They told him about do not give out any information on their a $600 loan he'd made from a New York depositors. Commercial banks, on the bank. He said he hadn't known that any- other hand, do talk. From the bank he one knew about it except himself and learned how long you had maintained an the bank, and added that he was happy to account there, your average balance, know that Credit Data did not know whether you were a "satisfactory" de- about some charges in Washington that positor (putting in money regularly), he'd contested. and if you were ever tagged for insuffi- The central point of the recent con- cient funds. The bank didn't give out cern over private investigating and re- your exact balance. It put it in round porting agencies centers on whether their numbers, such as "low three figures," practices are sufficiently regulated to pro- which means $100 to $300, or "high tect the rights and reputations of the four figures," which means $7,000 to people about whom they circulate re- ports. Reports are often, perhaps usually, circulated without their firm knowledge. The consumer is never allowed to see his own report, though he may be told what's in it if he knows where to go and what to ask. Private investigative companies have files on 110 million Americans. Last year they conducted 97 million investi- gations of all sorts for their customers. Among the biggest users of these reports are credit and collection agencies, insur- ance companies and employers. They spend more than $1 billion a year for Credit checks can de- be- these investigations. Probably you termine bad risks as came a file number with one or more of well as good, though these companies the day you first took the extreme steps taken to get information raises out a loan, opened a charge account, the question of just how bought something on the installment much privacy we are en- plan, applied for insurance or asked for titled to. a credit card. If you filled out a form telling all about yourself to get, say, a loan or a charge account, the firm to which you applied probably channeled your an- swers into its credit bureau. There,

nearly all other credit bureaus and their business subscribers might tap the in- formation. Thereafter, the bureau would want a continuing record from your

bank or store on how you repaid, and it

is almost a universal practice to add to your file anything derogatory about you that may become public—divorce, bank- 8 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 $9,999. The investigator then checked your neighbors sharp questions about your social life? Do you throw any wild public records to see if any suits, judg- your drinking habits. parties? Do you travel a lot? Are there ments, mortgage foreclosures or bank- And if you are single, a divorcee or any criticisms of your morals? Do mem- ruptcies had been placed against you. a widow who took out a personal prop- bers of the opposite sex stay overnight At the end, what he learned about you erty floater on valuable jewelry or furs, in your home or apartment? Do you as- from all these sources—facts, opinions, the inspector would ask these additional sociate with any undesirable persons? gossip—was typed on a special printed questions: Are there any criticisms of Insurance inspectors are usually paid questionnaire. A copy was kept and the original sent to the merchant, insurance company, lender or employer who or- dered the check on you. If you became a file number when you first took out, or possibly renewed, your car, fire, theft or life insurance policy, you probably didn't know you were se- cretly checked out. (More than three- fourths of all policyholders are checked

out without their knowing it before their policies go into effect.) When you ap- plied for insurance you received a binder that gave you only temporary coverage. Soon after, to help the insurance under- writer find out what kind of risk you were, an "inspection report" was or- dered. A check was made into your per- sonal, business and financial life. The information collected about you was typed on a printed form and sent to the insurance company. A copy of the re- port was kept on file with the investigat- ing firm.

If you applied for auto or life insur- ance, the inspector, in addition to the on a piecework basis. The routine in- questions in a credit probe, would ask surance inspections they conduct are most often "quickie" investigations. An inspector with just a little savvy can pol- ish off 15 or more cases a day. This means that if he does the minimum of what he is supposed to do (talks to two persons per investigation) he inter- views from 30 to 35 REPORT people a day, plus typing the reports. Generally, he receives a meager fee for each case that he handles. Therefore, an inspector must be a live wire to earn a good day's pay. When he runs into trou- JOB HOPPE*^ ble getting requested in- oeAD BEAT formation on a person, which may be often, he ^ MARTINI MAM may guess on some of the less risky details needed

to fill out the report. In many bureaus, in- spectors are pressured U4n into turning in unfavor- able reports. Myron Bren- ton, in his book "The Privacy Invaders," quotes the manager of a West Coast investigation bu- reau explaining to an in- spector whose output of derogatory reports was low: "We're in business to find bad risks. If every- body comes out clean, we ILLUSTRATED BY JAMES FLORA don't jUStify OUr CXlst- THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 Q Investigators can cover your day-to-day life, a: CONTINUED

Problems With Credit Investigations who are well-served by credit reports. No one questions that business needs credit to function efltectively. ence." Brenton tells of another manager their credit cards or dropped accounts information credit has soared who pinned a monthly list in a promi- with some stores or policies with some Since WW2, consumer nent spot on the office wall, ranking insurance companies out of sheer anger from $5.7 to $115 billion as of last issued 200 each inspector according to the number over false, derogatory reports on them March. Americans have been credit are us- of derogatory reports he turned in. In- which were given credence and shrouded million cards which they billion a year. In spectors in that office surely needed no in secrecy. In such cases, the investigat- ing to spend about $50 credit pep talk in order to slant reports wher- ing practices injure both the individual Van Wert. Ohio, you can use a personal ever possible, the author concluded. and the firm that relied on the report. card even to pay real estate and still. Intourist. Based on their experience, many in- The tendency to deal with people en property taxes. Stranger the Russian travel bureau, will honor a vestigating agencies have been morally masse as percentages is undoubtedly at Diner's Club card in Moscow. certain that there is derogatory informa- the heart of many of the difficulties. The tion on from 10% to 15% of persons case against many investigating practices With the exception of two years, bank- investigated, whether it is enough to is at its strongest when histories of indi- ruptcies have increased steadily for the make them bad risks or not. And well viduals who have been grievously last 16 years and in 1967 hit a record

1 the fiscal there may be. So they may hold that if wronged are cited. A classic is the one 208.3^9 There were 197.81 in the investigators are not bringing in that reported to the Senate about a salesman year ending June 30, 1968, mostly indi- percentage of adverse information they who was effectively barred from em- vidual. The number of business failures aren't doing their jobs right. Hence the ployment by all the major firms in his is decreasing but the amount of money pressure to make them meet the "bad field for seven years on the basis of three involved in them is rising. More than news" quota. The question arises: While damaging and faise allegations about 90% of bankruptcies today are ordinary this kind of pressure results in adverse him. They were apparently based on the wage earners hopelessly in debt. information on the "right" percentage, gossip of a crank, and were circulated Accurate and prompt credit informa- is it about the right people? At least some without his knowledge (and kept from tion is important at the retail level. The investigators say privately that it is not. him when he asked) by a single investi- "slow pay" and "no pay" people (dead- 11 they do not have enough bad news gating agency. When confronted with beats) together amount to 5% of cus- to meet the quota, they'll stretch gossip such cases, many credit industry leaders tomers in spite of credit reports. and loose hearsay into enough "informa- resort to percentages. Ninety-five per- Probably because of their defenses, ". tion" to carry out their orders. And. "if cent of people get what they want after the loss ratio of banks . . is perhaps

I only handed in 6% bad reports this reports are made on them, they say. getting clo.se to a quarter of one per- month, I'd better make sure I get 21% Other cases are "isolated." Looking at cent," says Kenneth V. Larkin. senio^ next month." the business in terms of "isolated" cases vice president of the Bank of America.

This practice runs against what the does not. they say. put it in the "right On the other hand, a recent National creditors, insurance companies and em- perspective." Of course, nobody can say Retail Merchants Association study ployers actually want. If the custome what a "non-isolated" case might be, or found an average 3.6% credit loss for is a good risk they are anxious to do what is "right" about a perspective that department stores, with losses nearly business with him. Yet in tod iy's world considers the destruction of a man via twice this for smaller stores. Fraudulent you don't have to look far to find some false and secret reports about him in use of credit cards causes an annual loss perfectly good risks who have burned terms of a larger percentage of people of perhaps $30 million. "These losses

10 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 NEIGHBORHOOD SAVINGS & LOAN

illustrated, and come up with a credit profile based on fact, opinion, gossip.

are paid for by the buying public," says tion is added to his file. The person Eugene Gold, Brooklyn District Attor- would then be given an opportunity to

ney. So are all other credit losses, it is correct any false information. Also, the claimed. Proxmire bill would bar credit bureaus Against this background, the Senate from giving out information to govern- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, ment agencies without the person's con- headed by Sen. William Proxmire of Wis- sent. consin, opened hearings last May into It has been a usual practice for credit the workings of credit bureaus. The hear- bureaus to open their files not only to ings disclosed that credit bureaus do lit- government credit grantors, such as FHA tle to correct errors that creep into a and the VA, but also to the Internal person's credit file. The Senators learned Revenue Service and the FBI for tax and that while a person is barred from look- criminal investigations and for other cept in cases of national security. Gov- agencies ing at his own file, it had been easy for running security checks. Credit ernment agencies will have to subpoena other unauthorized people to gain access Data has consistently refused access to any other information. by deceit. the Internal Revenue unless compelled The ACBA code has brought howls By telling a false story. Prof. Alan F. to do so by court order. That made Credit from many of the nation's credit bu- Westin, of Columbia University, was Data fairly unique until recently. reaus. Business Week reports the man- able to get a personal rundown on one of Proposed legislation to regulate credit ager of one of the largest credit bureaus his staff members (with her permission) bureaus has been backed by Mrs. Virginia as saying, "I certainly won't go along from a New York credit bureau, and H. Knauer, President Nixon's special as- with many of the proposals." And he then publicized the fact. Neither the pro- sistant for consumer aflfairs, and Paul doesn't have to. A business association Dixon, fessor nor Columbia was entitled to such Rand chairman of the Federal code has no teeth in it. a report. The bureau manager who gave Trade Commission. Virtually all bureaus oppose show- the report (at no charge, as a favor) In response to mounting criticism and ing a person his file, instead of telling it made clear in a letter to Congress that to stave off federal regulation, the Asso- him what's in it without letting him see it. he wouldn't be apt to trust professors ciated Credit Bureaus of America, the And they are all against giving anyone or Columbia again. CBS invented a major trade association in the field, has a copy of his record or sending him phony firm, gave it a phony letterhead, adopted a code which allows anyone who a notice whenever something adverse and used it to ask for personal informa- has been refused credit to go to his local is entered. Some of them give good rea- tion on people from 20 credit bureaus. credit bureau and go over his record sons for their opposition. "Showing a Ten of them supplied the information (without seeing it himself, however). consumer his record takes two or three asked for, contrary to announced credit Other parts of the code provide that a times longer than if he is told what is in bureau association policy that no private person's credit report be sent only to the it," says Edward F. Garretson, presi- parties except their known business sub- lender actually extending credit; that per- dent of Credit Bureau Inc., of Wash- scribers could get reports from them, and sonnel reports must be kept separate ington. A lot of it is in code that needs only for legitimate credit purposes. from credit reports and not be exchanged explaining. He told of instances when Senator Proxmire introduced a bill between credit bureaus; and that gov- irate persons attempted to grab the files that would require credit bureaus to no- ernment agencies would be given no more and run away with them. Even if you tify a person when damaging informa- than a person's name and address, ex- (Continued on page 49) THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 H The First Non-Stop Flight

AT 4:28 ON THE murky, blowy after- Fifty years ago, two young Englishmen achieved an . noon of June 14, 1 9 1 9, a converted WWl bomber lurched down a runway carved out of a scrubby piece of pasture aviation first. Here^s the story of how they did it. land in Newfoundland. A few knots of spectators, leaning against the raw 30- mile-an-hour winds from the North At- before — completed the first nonstop yet least chronicled, adventures in avia- BROWN BROS. flight across the broad, forbidding At- tion history. On the morning after they lantic Ocean by a heavier-than-air craft. landed in Ireland, their names were bla- A little less than a month earlier the zoned across the front pages of every U.S. Navy plane NC-4, with a full crew, major newspaper in the world. President had flown the Atlantic in stages, includ- Woodrow Wilson immediately cabled ing a stop in the Azores. It took 14 days congratulations. Five days later. King to reach England. Now two men had George V tapped them with a sword and

made it nonstop to Ireland overnight. The modified WWl bomber that made -he first trans-Atlantic crossing non-stop.

\\ till- WOKI I)

lantic, watched in silence as the big bi- Their aircraft was a reconstructed plane bounced and swayed past them, Vickers-Vimy bomber, a big machine 350- lifted slowly off the rutted field and flew with a 67-foot wingspan and two into the pages of history. horsepower Rolls Royce "Eagle" Mark dubbed them knights of the British side by Sixteen hours and 12 minutes later, VIII engines. Flying her, seated realm. Winston Churchill, then War Sec- pilot's cockpit (a of their the aircraft came down in an Irish bog, side in the enlarged retary, ranked the importance gasoline occupying the one discovery the descent no more graceful than its un- reserve tank achievement with Columbus' were a couple of youthful avia- gainly take-off. It buried its stubby nose forward) of America. pioneers. was Arthur Whitten of Alcock and Brown into the muck and stuck its tail high tion One But the fame in Scotland little toward the heavens above County Gal- Brown, 32 years old, born soon evaporated and today they are other was 26- their flight way. The whole flight had been one of of American parents. The remembered, even though a British WWl of Col. Charles the worst—then or now—that had ended year-old John Alcock, preceded the lone one Paris by eight years. without total disaster. But the plane and bomber pilot. A. Lindbergh to Their 1,890-mile flight a half-century Lindbergh himself—as have all aviation its occupants had done something no- always took pains to give body in the world had ever accomplished ago was one of the most remarkable. historians—

12 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 Across the Atlantic By LESTER DAVID

full credit to the pair. "Alcock and somewhat eccentric but farsighted Brit- would have to be redesigned for the haz- Brown showed the way," the slim young ish nobleman who, among his other in- ardous cross-Atlantic flight. Long-range flier told cheering crowds when he landed terests, was publisher of the powerful bombers had been developed during the at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, after London Daily Mail. He was Lord Alfred war, but they needed to be beefed up to his own 33-hour hop from New York. Northcliffe, and he was willing to put withstand the turbulence from electric Alcock and Brown did indeed show lots of his money where his convictions storms and heavy wing icing that would the world the way. were. be encountered. Fliers, designers and When the guns were silenced across After the armistice was signed at Com- Europe in 1918, a small band of men piegne, Northcliffe offered a prize of who had fought in the skies began dream- $50,000 to the "first person who crosses ing wild and wonderful dreams. Air- planes, they said, had already proven

manufacturers worked at drawing boards, planning structural changes that the Atlantic from any point in the would, with a lot of help from Lady United States, Canada or Newfoundland Luck, take them to the prize. to any point in Great Britain or Ireland Among those whose imaginations in 72 continuous hours." Entrance re- were fired by the Northcliffe challenge quirements for the competition were was a blond, sturdily-built pilot with a Minutes after taking off from its field quickly amended to allow flights in either lopsided school-boy grin and a head full in Newfoundland, the plane heads for Ireland, 1,890 miles and 16 hours away. direction. And pilots of any nationality of visions. He was Capt. John Alcock, and machines from any country could holder of the British D.S.C., victor over compete. seven German aircraft in WW I and now themselves in combat and a few com- The ofi'er triggered excitement on both newly freed from a PW camp. Alcock mercial routes had been established. In sides of the Atlantic in the hangars and had flown the big Vickers-Vimy and 1918, the government began the first on what passed for airfields. Most of the knew its potential. This, he was con- scheduled air mail service, a route link- fliers of those days were barnstormers, vinced, could be the plane for the job. ing New York City with the nation's cap- adventurous men who picked up war Alcock made his way to Brooklands, ital. Why couldn't man now use his new, surplus planes cheaply, and made their the field some 20 miles southwest of Lon- war-perfected wings to span countries, living by stunting at carnivals and fairs, don where all the major aircraft fac- continents and — who knows — even or ferrying passengers. tories of the era were clustered. There, oceans? These visionaries, and the few plane he pleaded with Maxwell MuUer, the One of those who believed implicitly manufacturers in the infant industry, Vickers plant manager, to let him work in the future of aviation was a very rich, knew that the planes then available over a Vimy for the big jump. Mailer CONTINUED The First Non-Stop Flight Across the Atlantic

was intrigued, but skeptical. "Look," Al- the way Alcock wanted it, stripping out land may have been admirably situated cock urged. "You have a big plane there. all the armaments, strengthening, adding geographically for a trans-ocean flight, That 67-foot wingspread. That fuselage, extra tanks, installing new two-way wire- but its landscape didn't cooperate with all of 42 feet, big enough for four crew- less equipment and navigational instru- the aviators. The terrain was scrubby, men. I've had it up to 1,500 feet and ments. hilly and strewn with boulders. The few going 100 m.p.h." Meanwhile, Brown examined his fairly smooth stretches where runways "It's suicide, plain and simple," Muller WIDE WORLD concluded. So did one Vickers executive after another as they were approached by Alcock. "Wait," Alcock pleaded on his last visit. "Let me show you how I plan to modify the Vimy." Weeks later, on a frosty January morning, he was back with his designs for a reconstructed plane, and once again pleaded for a chance to fly it across the ocean. He unrolled his diagrams and made his pitch. "This tandem cockpit would go," he said, pointing at it with a stubby finger. "We'll make one big enough to hold pilot and navigator. We'll put the radio apparatus here, the navigational in- struments over there," indicating with his finger as he talked. "And there, in the bomb bay, we'll put extra storage tanks for gas, giving us a capacity of 867 gallons. That should let us stay 25 hours in the air and give us a flying range of 2,440 miles. One of these [tanks] will be shaped like a boat, so that it could be used as a life saving raft in an emer- gency. We'll fix it for easy detachment." Muller and the other executives Readying the craft for the long flight, extra fuel and provisions are loaded aboard. looked and listened with mounting in- terest. As Alcock was talking, a tall man with a lean, handsome face limped into the office. Leaning on his cane, he /Atlantic Ocean watched, unnoticed by the others. Finally Muller turned and recognized the new- comer. He was Arthur Whitten Brown, ^^^•••1890 MILES who had worked for the Westinghouse Company in Manchester before enlisting ^^^•^The plane's route across the Atlantic. with the Manchester Regiment. He had been transferred to the Royal Flying St. Johns Corps (later the R.A.F.) as an aerial gunner and observer, and was shot down charts and noted the problems. Weather could be built had already been staked in France and taken prisoner, one foot reports between St. John's, the capital out by the dozen or so other competing shattered by a bullet from a Maxim ma- of Newfoundland, and Ireland were non- fliers. chinegun. Brown had spent nearly a year existent. It wasn't until after Lindbergh's Alcock and Brown crisscrossed the studying aerial navigation before being flight in 1927 that a system of weather bleak countryside for days in a rented repatriated, and had come to the aircraft reporting was instituted for the Atlantic. car, hunting for a site. At Harbor Grace, company offices that day looking for a Even though weather conditions for they stopped to gawk at a crew hard at job. Muller, who knew Brown and of take-off were generally poor in New- work on a Handley Page 1500. "It looks

his passion for navigation, introduced foundland, it would be far better to start too damn ready," Alcock muttered, as him to Jack Alcock and put the question there and fly toward Ireland because of he watched the big bomber, with its great casually: If Vickers approved this crazy the west to east tail winds. flight range, being manicured by dozens notion of a trans-Atlantic flight, would In three months, the Vimy was fin- of eager workers. A mile farther on, a Brown be interested in the assignment as ished. Alcock and Brown walked around farmer who owned a fairly decent patch will- navigator? it one spring morning, clambered inside, of ground allowed as how he'd be Brown stared. He too had been bitten examined and probed and poked, and ing to let the fliers have the use of it, by the bug. For months he had been de- pronounced it ready. Then, section by providing they paid him half the prize

voting every spare moment to studying section, it was carefully taken apart, the money. They drove on. the possibilities of a nonstop ocean hop. pieces packed in crates and put aboard Finally, they located a spot at a place Grinning, he stuck out his hand to Al- a freighter for Newfoundland. On May called Quidi Vidi. near the tip of a spit cock. 24, Alcock and Brown arrived in New- of land on the extreme eastern coast of Vickers gave the go-ahead that Jan- foundland and began hunting for an air- the island. The Vickers' people hired a uary 1919, and work began. Mechanics field to hop from. gang of workers who carved out a primi- the tore the Vimy apart and put it together It wasn't easy to find one. Newfound- tive 1,000-foot runway. Meanwhile,

14 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 hkoxv.n linos. crates containing the disassembled plane land. "We leave tomorrow," Brown said. were delivered and unloaded behind Alcock grinned and said they'd better screens of wood and sailcloth that served turn in early. as a hangar. So far, they had a clear field for the Farmers and townsfolk from miles prize. None of the other contestants had

around joined the newspapermen at the made it, though several had tried. On field to watch the adventurers reassemble May 18, Harry G. Hawker and Kenneth the jigsaw pieces into the shape of an Mackenzie-Grieve had taken off from airplane. Jack Alcock was always busy St. John's in a single-engine Sopwith bi- and serious where his craft was con- plane, but ran into foul weather 1,200 cerned, but at other times he couldn't miles out and were forced to ditch into resist bantering with the crowd, particu- the sea. Luck was flying with them—the larly with the reporters, who were always Danish freighter Mary saw them glide looking for a story different from any into the ocean and rushed to pluck them their competitors had filed. out. Once, a local reporter asked Alcock That same day, Fred Raynham, a Brit- what flight plan he had for the Atlantic ish test pilot, and his navigator, a Cap- crossing. Alcock drew him aside and. tain Morgan, didn't even make it off the with a straight face, replied that he had ground. Their one-engine Martynside six carrier pigeons from England hidden bomber crashed on take-off. The fliers away. After he had flown 300 miles, he survived, but were out of the competi- said, he planned to release one pigeon, tion. which would immediately head straight "What's the news of the big Handley for England. Naturally, the plane would Page?" Alcock wanted to know. "Hasn't follow the bird. The same thing would taken off yet," a Vickers man replied, happen every 300 miles, with the last and the fliers went to sleep. bird taking them over Ireland. From then They woke to the whine of a 40-mile on, Alcock said, they would just follow gale that had risen during the night. Al- the chart. The newspaperman actually Pilot John Alcock (left) and Naviga- cock and Brown watched glumly as the tor Arthur Whitten Brown, the Brit- fell for this "exclusive" story. wind whipped at the heavy Vimy, ishers who made the rough journey. On Monday, June 9, the team clam- perched at the end of the runway for the bered aboard for a test flight into the the trouble was found and repaired and take-off. All morning long that June 14 Newfoundland skies. "Machine abso- the team was finally ready to challenge they waited for the wind to weaken, but lutely tophole," Alcock wired the Vickers the Atlantic. by noon it had subsided only to 30 m.p.h. company in England. On a second flight On Friday, the 1 3th, the weather re- Clumps of spectators, there to see the three days later, she performed less well ports, such as they were, called for clear start of the big adventure, were picnick- —the radio equipment went awry. But skies and westerly winds in Newfound- ing on the field, making small fires to BROWN BROS.

Ignominious but triumphant end to the flight came when plane landed in an Irish bog, upended when wheels sank in the marshy soil. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 15 CONTINUED The First Non-Stop Flight Across the Atlantic brew hot tea against the penetrating wind pressed straight line. Brown literally out across the Atlantic, unable to com- as they waited. They saw action soon, held his breath. Then, with only 100 municate with the rest of the world. because, as Brown said later, "The wind yards to go, the wheels left the ground. For an hour and a half they flew showed no sign of better behavior, so With nerve-shredding slowness, the plane through the mist. Shortly after six, the we made up our minds to leave." lifted—and lifted. With inches to spare, starboard engine began— a loud and The decision made, they began to stow it cleared the stone embankment and then rhythmic clickety-click "like machine- their gear into the Vimy. Into a small the trees on the rise beyond, and headed gun fire at close quarters," Brown de- cupboard behind the seat they jammed a up into the leaden skies. "I am con- scribed it. Startled, Alcock looked for toilet kit. sandwiches, chocolate, malted vinced," Brown wrote later, "that only the trouble and found that a piece of ex- milk and two thermos flasks of hot cof- Alcock's clever piloting saved us from haust pipe had split off and was chatter- fee. Placed aboard the day before was an early disaster. When, after a period ing noisily as it was buffeted by the wind a mailbag containing 300 letters, each WIDE WORLD bearing a special stamp issued by New- foundland. Today, these are collector's items. Lashed to a strut behind the pilot's seat was Lucky Jim, a stuffed cat with a huge head. Perched on the seat was a daintier, live little cat named Twinkle- toe. For extra luck, Arthur Brown car- ried in his pocket a small American flag. A few minutes before 4 p.m., the fliers put on their flying suits, which could be electrically heated, pulled on their heavy fur gloves and fur-lined helmets and vaulted into the cockpit. Brown on Al- cock's left. Alcock swiftly checked his engines. Brown his navigational instru- ments. Brown had clipped his sextant to the dashboard in front. His instru- ments for calculating flight direction and distance flown were clipped at the side. He placed his navigation charts on the cockpit floor. He'd also brought along an electric torch and a Very pistol with red and blue flares to attract passing ships in an emergency. Between pilot and navigator lay the battery for heating their electric suits. War Sec'y Winston Churchill presents a £10,000 check to Alcock and Brown. The money, Alcock fired up the port engine first, put up by a London paper, was offered to the person making first nonstop flight. then the starboard. Their roar brought excited spectators on the run. On the that seemed far longer than it actually in flight. Finally it blew away, but three ground, 40 men, most of them volun- was, we were well above the buildings cylinders were left to exhaust into the teers, braced their backs against the and trees, 1 noticed that the perspiration air, causing a loud rattle that remained wings of the big biplane as it strained of acute anxiety was running down his for the rest of the trip. forward. At a signal from Alcock, me- face." Once in a precious while the Vimy chanics jerked hard on the ropes holding Alcock nosed the Vimy straight into would break through the enveloping the chocks wedged deeply beneath the the west wind until it had reached 800 gloom into sunlight, allowing Brown to tires, helping to anchor the plane. At feet, then turned toward the sea and make observations of the sun to check once, the 40 men flung themselves to the throttled down for a slower climb. As position and direction. At 7:40, he ground beneath the wings and the big they circled the airport en route to the handed Alcock a note: "If you get above plane lumbered down the runway. sea. Brown leaned over the side and clouds we will get a good fix tonight, For a few heart-stopping minutes, the waved goodbye to the crewmen and spec- and hope for clear weather tomorrow. adventure appeared doomed. As the air- tators who shouted up at them. Not at any risky expense to engines

plane headed up the hilly runway, it was Ireland was some 1,890 miles east- though." rocked by gusts of 45 m.p.h. and began ward and a vast sea of fog as well as Fifteen minutes later they burst swaying dangerously from side to side. the Atlantic Ocean lay in between. The through a cloud layer and saw and felt A sudden eddy. Brown thought, could Vimy, boosted by a westerly wind, flew the sun, which in eerie fashion projected

lift the plane on one side and tip it over. at 140 knots into a thickening haze. Fif- the Vimy's shadow onto the lower layer

Gathering speed, it continued to roll like teen minutes after take-off. Brown let out of clouds. Brown was able to maintain a freighter in heavy seas. Two hundred the wireless antenna and tapped out a a solar observation for ten minutes while yards—250—300. Still the craft clung message to the Newfoundland Mt. Pearl kneeling on his seat and peering through to the ground. Loaded to five tons gross Naval Station: "All well and started." the wings on the port side.

weight, it now seemed too heavy to lift At 5:20, they were at 1,500 feet and still Once again they plunged into clouds. off in time. Soon, half the runway was climbing. Brown leaned toward the At that latitude, in mid June, flying east, eaten up. Ahead, a stone wall and a transmitter to send another report. Sud- their night was only 2Vi hours long. wooded hill marked its end. denly, the small propeller which pow- But they flew in so much fog that dark- Alcock stared dead ahead, his hands ered the generator broke away, making ness or near darkness was their companion clinging to the wheel, his mouth a com- the transmitter useless. The fliers soared {Continued on page 52)

16 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 , s — —

Dateline Washington . .^^EQUAL TIME^' FOR THE PRESS? MORE CONSUMER WATCHDOGS COMING. COMPUTERS FOR COMMUTERS!!

The nation' s press, which eyes with It's a good bet that Congress—where suspicion any hint of regulation from Republicans and Democrats alike are con- Washington, has been startled by a sug- sumer conscious—will in due course adopt gestion that Congress ought to apply most of the task force's suggestions. radio-TV's "equal time" principle to the print media. It ' s just p ossible that research will The proposal for requiring the press to develop a bus service which stops at your broaden the public ' right to know by doorstep in response to your phone call providing the "right of reply" to targets to the transit system computer. That's of news paper criticism has besn projected one of the way-out ideas foreseen from by FCC Commissioner Kenneth A. Cox. the $500 million transit research program Cox has noted that the Supreme Court proposed to Congress. has upheld the "fairness doctrine" of the Altogether, President Nixon wants Con- Federal Communications Commission, under gress to underwrite a |10 billion 12-year which broadcasters must present both transit modernization program for the na- sides of public issues. Publishers, Cox tion's cities. Object is to make trans- contends, should be placed under the same portation more comfortable for the now- rules of fair play. The FCC Commissioner harried commuter. The legislation calls charges that despite considerable space for new subways, rail systems and bus devoted by the press to controversial is- lines that are so fast and convenient sues, the newspapers have failed as ef- that Mr. Citizen will be happy to leave fective forums. his car at home. Any move in Congress to follow up the The research would seek to make buses proposal is sure to be met by fierce re- more attractive and eliminate air pollu- sistance from U.S. newspapers, many of tion. Moving sidewalks and 200-mile-per- which have editorially demanded that hour trains riding on air cushions are "equal time" be imposed on broadcasters. also being studied. Big question is how can the cities be sure that once Congress There are already approximately 250 begins the program, it will finish it. U. S. activities of one kind or another devoted to the greater good of the con- PEOPLE AND QUOTES sumer, but that ' s only a modest begin- ning, in the opinion of the Democratic PEACEFUL STRENGTH the R.O.T.C. turn out the type cf educated officers we need. Study Group Task Force on Consumer "We maintain our strength but we maintain it for peace." Gen. William C. Westmoreland. Affairs. President Nixon. Much more's to be done if the citizen MILLION YEARS AHEAD WHY RUSSIA LOST "If the world lasts a million M i£ properly attended to bj; the fed- years, men will still have to say eral government the task force insists, "I think the Soviets lost (the race to the moon) by keeping that it was the genius of listing among consiimer needs the their program so secret."—^Dr. America that was first able to following: Thomas Paine, NASA Admin- conquer the mysteries of outer A separate federal agency devoted ex- istrator. space."—^Rep. Carl Albert (D- Okla.) clusively to the consumer ; a permanent FOREIGN POLICY GOAL National Commission on Product Safety; "We must show that we are CRIME—THE #1 PROBLEM elimination of dangerous toys from the easy to get along with, but that "The biggest (law enforce- we are not weak or softheaded." ment) problem in the country marketplace ; tougher tire safety stand- —Sec'y of State William P. is crime in the streets—and how ards ; generic labeling of all prescrip- Rogers. to get at it."—Att'y Gen. John tion drugs; continuous inspection of fish N. MitcheU. and egg processing plants; labeling of NEEDED: EDUCATED OFFICERS PAPAL VIEW nutritional value on food products ; coun- sel to defend constimer rights before pub- "It would be a disaster to "To criticize and protest is have our men led by ignor- easy, but to is lic build not so utility commissions. amuses. It is essential to have easy."—Pope Paul VI.

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 17 WIDE WOULD

ROTC on Campus

ately officers. The military program on the campuses is run by instructors sent A proposal for changes in ROTC that's there by the Army, Air Force or Navy as the case may be. ROTC becomes part of the college life of the student who takes

it, involving both classes and military somewhat different from ousting it. drill.

ROTC is now elective on most cam- puses, though in the past many colleges By DR. FRANK N. TRACER campus program in military training which college students may take (and had made it compulsory for all qualified THE PURPOSE of this article is to look there are Junior ROTC's in many high at the attacks on ROTC on the na- schools, though they aren't what we're Dr. Frank N. Trager is Professor of In- to see if we need any looking at here). Successful graduates tion's campuses ternational Affairs and Director of the are changes—and if so. what. And I'd say from the college ROTC program National Security Program at New York some important changes are needed, but commissioned as second lieutenants or University. He is also Director of Studies privately endowed National Strat- they aren't the ones you hear about. ensigns in the reserves of the Army, Air of the egy Information Center in New York of course, means Reserve Force or Navy. When and if they are ROTC. Citx. Officers Training Corps. It is an on- called to active duty, they are immedi-

18 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 Challenge and Response

students. The Defense Department pre- Rid of ROTC." Bowing chiefly to such know that ROTC on the college cam- fers that ROTC be voluntary on the pressures, and to vague doubts held by puses turns out by far the greatest num- part of the student. On any given some non-militants, several leading col- ber of officers for the Armed Forces. In campus, the ROTC will typically be that leges are getting rid of their ROTC units the coming year, the Army has a goal of the Army or the Air Force or the or downgrading them to make them un- of commissioning 17,000 ROTC grad- Navy, and the last two are sometimes palatable to military instructors and stu- uates, while West Point will graduate called AFROTC and NROTC to disting- dents alike. Downgrading includes about 750. The Air Force seeks 4,500

uish them from the Army ROTC. The reducing the stature of ROTC instructors from ROTC, while it also expects to Marines have no ROTC on campuses, on the campus and disallowing college graduate some 750 from its own though Naval officers are now and then credits for ROTC courses taken by stu- academy. The Navy's needs are smaller. assigned to active duty with Marine dents. Among those now getting rid of While ROTC is a tremendous source of units. ROTC units exist by mutual agree- R.OTC entirely are such old-line schools junior officers, many of whom return to ment—actually a contract—between the as Harvard, Columbia, Tufts, Boston U., civilian life after serving their minimum separate colleges and the Armed Forces. Dartmouth and Grinnell. reserve duty, 29% of all Army generals As everyone knows, ROTC has been Anyone who may think that West on active duty today are ROTC grad- under attack on the campuses by vari- Point, Annapolis and the Air Force uates. ous "militants" among both students and Academy at Colorado Springs produce In scope, ROTC is probably a greater faculty. Their aim boils down to "Get most of our officers may be surprised to part of our existing defense setup than THE AMERIC/ LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 19 CONTINUED ROTC on Campus: Challenge and Response

most people realize. In 1967-68 there largest universities in the land, they flavor in our officer corps ... is en- were 490 college-level ROTC units with would have to look elsewhere, too. (No dangered by the universities that are 196,000 cadets. In 1968-69 they num- university graduates 17,000 in one class, discouraging ROTC." He added that "if bered 220,000. This year, enrollment was or anything close to that, and if West 20 years hence educators complain that expected to be off somewhat, and if early Point were built up to do so it would our officer corps is then remote from reports are true it is off considerably, completely overshadow the combined civilian concepts" they may not have to very largely due to adverse publicity colleges and graduate schools of such "look beyond their own doors for the cutting down the number of volunteers giants as Notre Dame, N.Y.U., Har- cause." in freshman classes. It is true that there vard, U.S.C., etc.) Though the Harvard Corporation are more enrollees today, and more If the Armed Forces should follow finally disregarded his advice. Harvard actual officers produced, than ten years past precedents, they could train new President Dr. Nathan M. Pusey sounded

WIDE WORLD OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

PEATH

student anti-war demonstrators, such as these at Tulane Univ., harass ROTC cadets, "Angel Flight" all-girl marchers at Ohio State Univ. seek removal of Corps from all campuses. In Army and Air Force ROTCs are tops for onn ago. Yet plainly, if most of the schools lieutenants in a vast chain of Officer the same warning last February in a follow the lead of those few that have Candidate Schools at regular encamp- published letter to Harvard's Arts-and- bent under pressure, it will be no joking ments, similar to the crash program of Sciences Dean, Franklin Ford. Said matter for the Armed Forces or the WW2. Or they could vastly expand the Pusey: country. The present sources of most National Guard. Or both. Or come up "Mindful of the lessons of history and new lieutenants and ensigns would dry with some new scheme. And there is no acutely aware of the dangers to a up. question that Congress would approve democratic society in the existence of a Of course the nation would not do some such plan if the colleges were to corps of exclusively professional officers, without them. It would find some other force the choice upon it. The debate the Congress established the Reserve way to produce the officers needed. The might be bitter, but Congress could not Officers Training Corps on a continuing emphasis would probably shift to train- and would not simply tell the Defense basis when it became apparent that this ing a much larger professional officer Department that it couldn't have the country was destined to maintain a large corps, as opposed to a reserve officer junior officers it needs. military capability for the indefinite fu- corps, than we have ever trained in our Far-seeing commentators, on and off ture. In (Harvard) Corporation's view history. the campuses, have pointed out that it it would be shortsighted in the extreme if ROTC has served us well for 107 is far better to keep ROTC, if only so that academic institutions were now to with- years. It was first devised as part of the in our democracy a large percentage of draw their cooperation from the ROTC Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862, which our military officers will be basically program because of repugnance to an gave federal aid for the beginnings of our civilian-educated. The alternative, they unpopular war." state universities. point out, is to create something like a I am afraid that the "militants," whose If all the schools actually abandoned "military caste." aim is simply to use the debate to de- ROTC (and we are a long way from The 1968-69 National Commander of stroy ROTC, have won a degree of sup- that), the Armed Forces might increase The American Legion, William C. port from uneasy faculty members who the classes at the military academies Doyle (himself a brigadier general in the take such a narrow view of "military somewhat. But unless we built up the New Jersey National Guard), has training" that they see no place for it in military academies to be bigger than the warned that "the future of a civilian education. Perhaps ROTC may have

20 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 —

been too narrow. But there have been years ago, were the most distant names of class. There are a few references to recent improvements, and perhaps we to us . . . Above all, you will have a re- it in courses on modern diplomatic his- need more. I think we should wed each sponsibility to deter war as well as to tory, international relations and political ROTC unit more closely to its parent fight it." science. But the number of institutions school for the mutual advantage of all As Commander-in-Chief. President of higher learning in this country whose concerned. Certainly, in today's world, Kennedy was perhaps uniquely qualified program includes serious study of na- our future military leaders need more to understand not only the manner ol tional security affairs is very slight in- general education than a man can readily man required to hold positions of leader deed—just about 2% among the more absorb or is apt to get in a purely military ship in our Armed Forces today, but alsf than 2,400 institutions. In this context,

program, while our future civilian the multi-dimensional missions of the the important fact is that the military in leaders need far more training in all modern military in the closing third of general and the ROTC faculty members aspects of national security than can be this century. Training the kind of men in particular have made national security found now on most campuses What he called for is a challenge to our en- affairs—at least in some of its major as- better way to fulfill both needs than to tire structure of higher education. It pects—their professional concern. They

members of a voluntary girls' service organization that supports the Air Force. Ohio State's 6,000 students campus. Here, the "Angel Flight" acts as a colorful volunteer drill team for Ohio State Air Force ROTC. bring the regular college curriculum and leaves no room for our greatest universi- have been educated and trained in cer- ROTC closer together? ties to wash their hands of all concern. tain aspects of national security affairs in President Kennedy, addressing the Now, it is readily appkrent that among ways quite similar to teachers who have 1962 graduating class at West Point, de- the 2,400 colleges and universities in this taken their degrees in other specialties. scribed the American military officer of country there exists a very significant gap By way of illustration, Johns Hopkins our day as far more than a fighting man. in the curriculum. I refer to the study of University is now editing the Papers of After discussing the military aspects of national security affairs, and its place in the late Dwight D. Eisenhower. Hopkins the cadets' careers as officers, the Presi- the college curriculum. The United historian. Professor Stephen Ambrose dent went on to say: States government annually spends some is the editor. In the Hopkins' Magazine "The nonmilitary problems which you 9% to 10% of the Gross National Prod- (November 1968), there is a reference will face will be most demanding uct for defense. This constitutes approxi- to a World War II debate on strategy diplomatic, political, and economic. In mately 70% of the federal budget. Since between Generals Marshall and Eisen- the years ahead, some of you will serve the passage of The National Security hower on the one hand, and the British as advisers to foreign aid missions or Act of 1947, there have been very sub- generals and admirals and Churchill on even to foreign governments. Some will stantial changes in the development of the other. The British wanted to follow negotiate terms of a cease-fire with the military and its relationship to its their traditional strategy of avoiding a broad political as well as military rami- civilian authority. I might add that how- direct confrontation with the enemy on fications. Some of you will to go the far ever far-reaching the National Security the continent, and proposed offensives in corners of the earth, to and the far Act, as amended, may be, it is one of the the Middle East, North Africa, Norway

reaches of space. . . . Whatever your least studied of important Acts in and and in skies over Germany. They wanted position, the scope of your decisions will outside of the university. But apart from to close and tighten the ring and then not be confined to the traditional tenets whether the Act and its Amendments are plunge in the knife. The Americans of military competence and training. read and studied, the content of national argued for war plans with Northwest You will need to know and understand security finds very little place in college Europe constituting the main theater

... the foreign policy of . . . countries classes. This, even though it is a leading where they would come to grips with the scattered around the world which, 20 subject for opinion and debate outside enemy's ground forces. They advocated THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 21 CONTINUED ROTC on Campus: Challenge and Response

what has been called the "power play." weaponry, geography, map-making and So we have two areas where there is How can most faculty members teach the like. room for improving higher education by students the central meaning of this Much of the legitimate campus debate bringing off a campus wedding instead historic debate? A professionally trained on whether ROTC has a place on non- of a divorce. One is to improve ROTC historian can write about it by quoting military campuses is largely irrelevant. by lending it regular faculty members from and analyzing the appropriate The debate has not focused on what the for those parts of the ROTC courses that papers. A political scientist can treat it ROTC is, and what it should be, for those they are better qualified to teach. And by way of the politics of national or U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT, N.Y. geopolitical interests. An economist can estimate the costs of both strategies.

Nevertheless, it is chiefly the military

member of the faculty who is profession- ally trained to expound the meanings, the doctrine and so forth in this debate over strategy. On most campuses, the only military members are ROTC pro- fessors. The civilian teacher should re- cognize that when such subject matter appears in his history course, his political science course or his economics course, it is the ROTC professor who is truly qualified, as the civilian teacher is not, to treat such subject matter. By the same token, the ROTC professor may not be well qualified on some subject matter in the social sciences which fall within his ROTC course. Again by way of illustration. Pro- fessor John P. Roche of Brandeis Uni- versity, a political scientist, has recently written that Americans—both civilian and military—have not thought out the concept of "limited war" in terms of its meaning and ramifications for foreign and domestic policy. I thoroughly agree. If we are to continue to be faced with

the fact of limited war, it is high time that both military and civilian students and teachers come to grips with its In 1962, future officers of the West Point graduating class heard President Kennedy ramifications and implications. And here remind them that they "have a responsibility to deter war as well as to fight it." again the ROTC professor has a distinct who voluntarily enroll in the program. the other, to improve the regular college academic contribution to make in such Here I referring to the curriculum of courses by borrowing the staff for analysis. am ROTC in terms of its present role on the classes in which they are uniquely expert. The foregoing illustrations, one drawn ROTC from "history" and the other from "po- campus. If a college or university is to Almost nothing has been done about involve its students in the world we live officers litical science," illustrate the fact that the second of these. Military modern college courses can hardly be in, then logically and legitimately ROTC come and go as ROTC instructors on confined to narrowly defined and nar- should have as much place and as much most campuses without any effort to take rowly delineated "disciplines" or "de- standing in its curriculum as the other advantage of their presence by borrow- partments." pre-professional "credit" courses. In- ing them for some regular college classes

The fact is that there are places in the deed, I would argue for more place and which they could enrich. total life of the university and college more standing precisely because na- But a program to upgrade ROTC in where the expertise and the professional tional security affairs play so large a role line with the first half of the wedding has training of the military member of the in national life. already grown from an experiment to a faculty could well be used and is not now On the other hand, it also is true that going thing. My associates at the Na- being used in non-ROTC course work. the ROTC programs contain subject tional Strategy Information Center and I For example, a professional soldier with matter in which the officer has not been designed, in January 1968, what has been firsthand experience in Southeast Asia professionally or academically trained. called the Enrichment Program for the could provide, for any university course The Military Services expect the ROTC Metropolitan New York Area. concerned with the Southeast Asia area, officer to brush up on such subject The institutions involved during 1968-

a view of that part of the world which matter before presenting it in the class- 69 were: City College of New York, most faculty probably have not been able room. (All teachers have done this from Columbia University, University of to acquire. His special knowledge would time to time—it is known as being "one Delaware, Fordham University, Manhat- make a genuine contribution to course- step ahead of the class".) However, tan College, Newark College of En- content at the undergraduate and prob- many academicians in all honesty do not gineering, New York University, Uni- ably at the M.A. level, precisely because approve of such unacademic behavior, versity of Pennsylvania, Polytechnic In-

he has had area or field experience along whether it be their own or that of the stitute of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute, with professional training in technology. ROTC officer. {Continued on page 46)

22 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 ing like crazy and your bait is scarce, open the corn. A yellow kernel will be as much in demand as a worm or a lively cricket. The corn can be used as chum, too, to at- LIFE IN THE OUTDOORS tract a school to your boat.

HOW do you sleep in a sleeping bag . . . in pajamas, underwear, sweater? Nude is Touring By Bus best, no matter how cold the weather, re- ports Henry Josephs of Gardenville, Pa. You can't beat a jetliner for covering DON'T throw away those metal flip-tops Clothing makes you perspire, gets damp, long distances in a hurry, but to really from pop and beer cans, advises Tom Mc- then you can never get warm. Leave bag at neck air can see the country—savor its local scenery, his- Kievick of Cicero, 111. On beaches, they cut open the so moist escape. tory and color—you have to stay on the bare feet. In the wilds, deer and cattle eat ground Driving your own car is the hard them with fatal results. When can is empty, TO PREVENT ice forming on your duck way of doing it. The easy way is to take a drop the tab into the opening and dispose decoys in cold weather, rub them with pe- bus. of both together. troleum jelly, suggests R. Miller of Lans- The major bus companies now conduct ing, Mich. Just a slight amount is sufficient tours to spots that are favorites of sightseers, SHOOTING PRESERVE season started and can be easily removed later with ab- such as New England with its fall foliage, August 15, lasts till next spring, with no sorbent paper. historic Cape Cod, Pennsylvania Dutch limit on pheasants you can shoot at a fixed fee per bird. There are 600 spread across the country, Montreal, Niagara Falls, swinping NEW BOOK for hunters is "The Complete preserve directory, write: San Francisco, Las Vegas, etc. There's a country. For a Deer Hunt" by Joe De Falco. In text and National Shooting Sports Foundation, 1075 wide variety of pre-planned trips for all illustrations it covers field dressing, butch- 06878. seasons; the choice is yours. The accommo- Post Road, Riverside, Conn. ering and skinning a deer as well as hunting dations are tastefully appointed motor methods. Included are original recipes cov- coaches with air conditioning, stereo music, INFLATABLE easy chair, for camp or ering every part of the animal. Price (with tilting airline seats and fully equipped rest- boat comfort, is made of thick vinyl plastic free field-dressing kit) is $4.95 from the rooms, plus an escort who describes in- that looks and feels like leather, has seven Madison Publishing Co., 197 Madison Ave., teresting scenery over an airline-type public separate inflation chambers, and weighs Franklin Square, N.Y. 10010. address system. Meals and lodgings usually are prearranged. The point of departure of TO HEAT your tent or trailer at night in tour long-distance each can be reached by cold weather, use a clay flower pot, suggests bus or by jetliner. For example, a three-day Mrs. Doyle Pickering of Gathenburg, Pa. Washington, D.C. weekend costs per $48 Heat it in your camp fire or over a stove, person, double room, meals not included. then set it on something fireproof where Round-trip bus fare from (for example) desired. It will continue to radiate heat Los Angeles to Washington is $151.45; jet for hours. coach fare is $290. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

recent offering is A by Greyhound the CAMPERS in the remote wilderness should Carrousel Tour. western version is one The carry a roll of aluminum foil as an aid of the most interesting. It consists of a should they get lost, writes S. E. Bullock number of "gateway" cities forming a cir- Inflatable floating easychair from Gloy's. of Somerset, N.J. Not only can foil be fash- cular route: Calgary (Alberta), Seattle, ioned into drinking cups and cooking uten- Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas and only four pounds. Deflated, it's 4x8x9 sils but spread flat on the ground and held Salt Lake City. If you wish you can jet to inches; inflated 27x30x31 inches complete down by stones, it will reflect light and be any one of these to begin the tour. And you with arms. A popular accessory for swim- a sure-fire beacon for aerial spotters. can stay at any other on the loop (or at ming pools, also. Price: $14.95 from Gloy's, en-route places such as Vancouver, Monte- 10 Lewis St., Greenwich, Conn. 06831. TAKING AN OLD LINE off a fishing reel rey, Phoenix, etc. ) for as long as you wish, is easy, reports Rex Campbell of Cainsville, then rejoin the tour Carrousel when you A STAB from a catfish fin can be painful. Mo., if you use your record player. Put so desire. You can jet back home from any An old Indian remedy that really works, your spool on the turntable, tie the other gateway city. similar shorter popular A but reports M. Bowers of Miami, Okla., is to end to the reel. Put new line on your reel Carrousel Tour links Jacksonville (Florida) immediately rub the injured spot on the with the same way; just set it in place and reel Miami and St. Petersburg. belly of the catfish. We haven't tested this in, without turning on the player. Perhaps the most pretentious is the Cali- tip, but we'd like some reports from cat- fornia Tour from New York City. In 24 fishing readers. days it buses you westward through Wyom- TAKE some snap-type wooden clothespins with you on your next camping trip or pic- ing, Utah and Nevada to San Francisco, TO TRAIN young hunting pups not to south nic, recommends Mrs. S.H. Powell of Fort to Los Angeles, then back to New chew birds when retrieving them, tie pheas- Bragg, Cal. You can use them instead of York through Arizona, Colorado and Kan- ant or quail wings around a pine cone and sas. Overnight stops (three days in Los potholders for moving around hot pans and let the dogs play with it, suggests Bill Ganz dishes, also for pinning up reminder notes Angeles, two in San Francisco) are made at of Bake, Md. A hard bite on a pine cone 18 top tourist cities, side for your youngsters, holding closed a tent with excursions is too painful to be repeated. to such unique spots as Great Salt Lake, flap, fastening a scarf, clipping small items Lake Tahoe, San Francisco's Fisherman's to creels, etc. NEW 20-gauge semi-automatic shotgun Wharf, Yosemite National Park, Hoover from Ithaca Gun Co., can take all loads Dam, the Grand Canyon and scores of the big fish aren't taking your fa- without switching recoil springs, including WHEN others. For two people traveling together, vorite plug, try adding a plastic worm to 3-inch magnum shells. Recoil system is self- the cost is $651.35 each. the rear hook, writes Jim Kurka of Fair- lubricating and needs no re-oiling. Walnut field, Iowa. Usually that little extra wrig- stock is Available (For further tour information, write: hand-checkered. in stand- gle will whet their appetites. Greyhound Travel Bureau ard model ($139.95) and deluxe ($169.95) with vent rib, game scene etched in gold and/or If you have a helpful idea for this feature receiver, etc. on send it in. If we can use it we'll pay you Trailways Tour and Travel Service $5.00. However, we cannot acknowledge, re- Both addresses: Port Authority Terminal CARRY A CAN of whole-kernel corn in turn, or enter into correspondence concern- ing contributions. Address: Outdoor Editor, 8th Ave. at 41st St. your tackle box, suggests Edmonds Tommy The American Legion Magazine, 1345 Ave- New York, N.Y. 10036 of Minden, La. When the bluegills are bit- nue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 23 ,

Opposing Views by Congressmen on Tiie Question . . SHOULD THE UNITED STATES

"YES" OUR NATIONAL SECURITY requires that we have ready annually by our state in access to a dependable, secure and long-term sup- royalty income. ply of energy at minimum cost. At present, and for These investments by the foreseeable future, the single largest and most im- our domestic oil industry portant domestic energy source is petroleum. It is es- are not unique to Alaska. sential that our future supply of petroleum be secure. This industry could not History proves that foreign sources of supply are not. have undertaken such In the years following WW2, many United States huge investments if the of continuous oil interests were appropriated in Iraq, Argentina, possibility Cuba and other countries. And in 1957, when the Suez change in the oil industry Canal was nationalized by Egypt, our supply routes were likely. The oil import jeopardized. In 1967, during the Arab-Israeh war, program and the depletion were Sen. Ted Stevens are the main there was a cutoff of petroleum supplies to Europe, allowance (R-Alaska) economic which resulted in immense damage to the British econ- threads of the fabric of this industry. them, the industry omy. This year, U.S. oil holdings in Peru were seized. Without and, in the end, the consumer will pay In 1959, President Eisenhower issued a proclama- must readjust, if incentives are altered. tion which commenced a program to balance the im- these the oil import quota, foreign oil production portation of less expensive foreign crude oil with the Without manipulation of supply will drastically affect our assurance of a dependable domestic reserve. This and the price proclamation had one main purpose, that of national domestic market prices, and, if this occurs, of gasoline for your car will go up and up and up. security. It is my firm opinion that world affairs have maintenance of a stable quota level insures a not stabilized sufficiently in the decade between 1959 The of domestic exploration in production ac- and today, particularly in the oil-rich Middle East, to high level tivity on the part of the oil companies in this country, justify the abandonment of this program which is so further insures this nation the capability to meet essential to our national security. and its needs without dependence on foreign nations. The economic justification of maintaining a reUable oil import quota system is especially illustrated in my own state of Alaska. Presently, the oil industry is en- gaged in an incredibly expensive program on the North Slope of Alaska. The 800-mile main pipeline alone will cost almost $1 billion. The petroleum industry's pay- roll in my state in 1969 is estimated at $90 million. When production reaches its capacity in Alaska, more than one-quarter of a billion dollars will be received

Senators know how you feel on this big If you wish to let your Congressman or one of your

24 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 RETAIN ITS OIL IMPORT OUOTA SYSTEM?

THE OIL IMPORT control The present program also has forced the concentra- program is one of the tion of most of America's oil refining capacity into a most expensive, ineffec- small geographic area about the Gulf Coast, where our tive and wasteful federal refineries are sitting ducks for a nuclear attack. programs ever under- And, ironically, the subsidy features of the oil im- taken. President Nixon's port control program, when combined with many other special Cabinet committee special and unique privileges, such as the notorious studying this estimates the oil depletion allowance, have resulted in an industry cost at $6.2 billion per which is remarkably inefficient, in economic terms. year. That amounts to Oil is being taken from small, marginal wells at an about $30 per year per expense which could not be justified were it not for citizen going directly into the combination of tax loopholes and import program Sen. Thomas J. Mclntyre the profits of the rich oil subsidies. (D-N.H.) industry. The Anti-Trust Division of the Department of Jus- In 1959, the oil import control program was created tice also has suggested changes in the program. The to limit the amount of foreign oil going into the 43 Division said of the program "the costs do not appear states east of the Rocky Mountains. The remaining to be necessary to the attainment of any reasonable states were, and are, permitted to import as much oil national security goal." Further on, commenting on as they need. what would happen if the program were eliminated, The purpose is to protect the American oil industry the report concluded that "the industry would be from competition to insure that it always will be cap- tougher, healthier and more competitive, better able to able of producing, refining and distributing enough provide for our needs at a lower cost; at the same time oil to meet any emergency. domestic oil reserves, both known and presently un- But the program has failed because our economic known, would be conserved." system functions most efficiently and produces goods It can't be said any better than that. at the lowest possible cost only when it is exposed to healthy and vigorous competition. The present review is the first serious review since it was put into operation in 1959. Surely such an examination is needed. The program now treats oil from Canada as if it were coming from a possible military enemy. I was happy to learn that the Department of Defense has pointed out this ab- surdity.

I have read in The American Legion Magazine for December the arguments in PRO & CON: Should The United States Retain Its Oil lm|}ort Quota System?

IN MY OPINION THE OIL IMPORT QUOTA SYSTEM SHOULD BE SHOULD NOT BE RETAINED BY THE U.S.

fill ''ballot" mail it to iiim.->j issue, out the and SIGNED. ADDRESS.

TOWN STATE.

You can address any Representative c/o U.S. House of Representatives, Wash- ington, D.C. 20515; any Senator c/o U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510. J THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 25 Interpol... the

A look at a little-known intel licence

Interpol's symbol.

By THOMAS A. HOGE MANY A cloak-and-dagger movie INyou may have seen crooks, operating on the night train from Paris to Istanbul, tracked down by self-effacing agents of "the dread Interpol," which "knows no international boundary." If you thought Interpol was fictional, it isn't. On the other hand, its agents usually don't lurk in Drawing Room C on the night train to Istanbul. More often, they receive and send information from and to local police agencies around the world by high-powered radio from Paris. And its agents, outside of France, aren't really its own. They are part of the local law enforcement setup in each At Interpol's headquarters in Paris suburb of St.-Cloud, an inspector views some of thousand land served. Thus, Interpol's British its govern- into big business, operating illegal ac- "Central Bureau" is part of Scotland to communicate with home tivities ranging from stocking the white Yard. What Interpol does is tie the ment. New Delhi authorities then would East to Central Bureaus in each country together have had to instruct the Indian police slavery marts of the Middle the in one international police information to hold the subject, if found. By the time smuggling diamonds from mines of the farms agency. By this means, when crooks cross the request would have gone through, Africa and opium from poppy flee of international borders, there is continuity the suspect would have had time to Turkey. of pursuit from a single world nerve India and reach San Francisco by The word Interpol is only the cable center. freighter. address of the International Criminal In the days before Interpol, the red Police of various nations became Police Organization, headquartered in tape of police tracking across national aware nearly 50 years ago that it was Paris. It is a shadowy organization that borders gave all the time advantage to hard to try to catch international jewel never makes an arrest. But it is the the pursued. thieves or dope smugglers unless a global world's most far-reaching weapon A police inquiry put through Interpol web was set up to ensnare them. In 1923, against international crime and it can is usually quick and simple. When police Interpol was launched by law enforce- bring down the most elusive, jet-borne in Brussels, for example, want to check ment agencies of 20 countries, but it was international crook, thousands of miles out a report that a man they seek is in little more than an information swap- and many jurisdictions removed from New Delhi, the Belgian Interpol repre- ping center located in Vienna. After the scene of his crime. sentative asks the Paris headquarters to Hitler grabbed Austria in 1938, the In an eight-story headquarters in the check it with India's Interpol representa- Nazis took Interpol's records to Berlin, secluded Parisian suburb of Saint-Cloud, tive. This is done in a matter of hours. where they were later destroyed by Al- a staff of about 100 persons, including Before Interpol was set up, Belgian au- lied bombers in WW2. some of the world's ablest detectives, thorities would have had to contact the Interpol was reborn in Paris in 1946 operates a vast electronic brain that ab-

Indian Embassy in Brussels and ask it when international crime mushroomed sorbs and catalogues information from

26 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 Worldwide Police Network organization and the role it plays in fighting international crime.

and other big cities. More than 1 1 8.000 vidual using the name David Walton, messages on criminals and illegal oper- who took off from New York's Kennedy ations were sent to members last year. Airport to embark upon an ambitious In the United States, the Central Bu- campaign of selling nonexistent merchan- reau, or "Interpol Washington," is in dise to importers on three continents. the Treasury Department, which includes The case is a routine example of Inter- the Secret Service and the Bureau of pol's information web and instant de- Customs. At its head is Kenneth S. tective work over several continents. Giannoules, a 33-year-old Secret Service Walton's route took him to London; agent. By August this year it had supplied Paris; Wiesbaden, Germany; Tel Aviv, data on criminals to 62-member coun- and Beirut, Lebanon and from time to tries. It had passed on "wanted" requests time his identity changed from the from abroad to local police departments, American Walton to Dubois of Belgium sheriff's and state police agencies all over and to Rojas of Argentina. In short or- the country and it had sent abroad der he took money from more than a "wanted" requests of their own. It helped dozen merchants for products ranging nab a seven-member gang which, in two from crude rubber to machine tools and months, had passed close to $1 million went on to Bombay for further deals. in counterfeit bank payment orders in Protests from the fleeced merchants Central and South America and in began flooding police headquarters in Europe. Seized documents revealed that Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the gang planned to pass $10 million the communications lines to Interpol more around the world within the year. were soon humming. Checking their The constant stream of information master file, a 20-foot-long rotary card that is transmitted by radio from Paris to index, the detectives at Saint-Cloud soon member nations pays off in a big way. A concluded that Walton, Dubois and few years ago, crime analyst Frederic Rojas were the same man. His photo Sondern, Jr., traced each step taken by and fingerprints were lacking, but an Interpol to track down a courtly indi- officer in the identification section re-

of photos of international criminals on file.

police of 101 member nations. The files at Interpol headquarters include more than 930,000 identity cards, giving the names of criminals both alphabetically and phonetically to avoid language con- fusion for Interpol's members around the world. There are 100,000 fingerprints and thousands of photos of wanted per- sons on file. For those on the most wanted list, there is data on facial char- acteristics and head and body measure- ments. There are card indexes that give the names of ships on which narcotics have been seized, registration numbers of stolen automobiles, records on phony passports, details of unrecovered stolen property and other data that may some day bring a criminal to justice. The data received from each member is relayed to the nations belonging to Interpol by Telex, Teletype and a string of 35 radio stations located in Paris, Lon- don, Tel Aviv, Stockholm, Buenos Aires Staff and headquarters at St.-Cloud. Note high-powered radio transmitting towers. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 27 1

CONTINUED Interpol... the Worldwide Police Network membered that Walton's old-world man- passports who shuttle across borders A Red Alert case involved a fast-mov- nerisms and the quaint pince-nez spec- carrying contraband concealed in their ing Belgian swindler known as Louis tacles he wore were similar to those of a luggage, hidden in false shoe bottoms or Smyth. Swiss police reported that Smyth swindler who had come to the attention even sewed beneath their skin. Some was wanted for a $70,000 swindle. In- of Interpol once before. merchant seamen who travel from port terpol checked its files and found he was A second check in the files revealed to port are also recruited, being naturals a well-known swindler wanted in his na- that Walton might be a Hungarian for this kind of work. tive country under another name for named Vezy. A call to Washington dis- For example, not long ago a French closed that Vezy had emigrated to the seaman was arrested in Montreal with United States, been naturalized and 12 kilos of heroin [about 26 pounds] in changed his name to Walton. Armed his possession. A check with Interpol with Vezy's fingerprints, Interpol head- linked him with two veteran dope smug- quarters flashed out an IPCQ (Interpol glers who had gone underground. Word

Paris to all National Bureaus) with the was flashed over the network and 1 description of the man and his prints. months later the two ringleaders sur- Indiar> police who received the general faced in Cuba, where they had been alert staked out a watch at their airports. jailed for refusing to pay a hotel bill. When Walton alighted in Bombay, the Cuban authorities turned the pair over law was waiting to nab him. to the United States and U.S. Narcotics Millions of facts on crimes and crim- agents expelled them to France. When inals are sent to Interpol each year from the boat docked, French police armed members. These are culled over and with warrants were waiting to arrest filed. Crimes are classified in three main them. This cooperative action by Cuba groups: occurred before Fidel Castro seized • Murder, assault, burglary, theft, power in 1959. pickpocketing, confidence tricks. When contacting its bureaus, Interpol • Theft by fraud, offenses connected headquarters sends three kinds of mes- with banks, smuggling and docu- sages, graded according to urgency: At Interpol's Washington office an inspec- ment forgery. • Red Alert—the top priority signal. tor checks out counterfeit foreign currency. • Drugs, currency counterfeiting, prostitution or white slavery. When a big case breaks, a dozen countries may be involved, and Interpol headquarters sends out information to the central bureaus in each country. The tracking of the criminal and the arrest is made by agents of these bureaus who are representatives of Interpol but not on its headquarters' staff. There was a long-standing myth that Interpol agents prowled from country to country tracking down enemy spies, but it is too preoccupied with interna- tional crime to get into this field. In fact, a prime rule specifies that "In an affair involving politics, religion or race, In- terpol is deaf and dumb." Interpol is interested only in three kinds of crooks: • Those who operate in more than one country, crossing national frontiers to commit their crimes; such as smugglers. • Those who do not travel neces- sarily, but whose crimes affect an- Microfilm section in Washington is part of Interpol's international crime library. other country; such as forgers of bank notes. usually calls for the immediate ar- writing bad checks, falsification and jail • Those who commit a crime in one rest and extradition of the person breaking. Interpol gave the request top country, then flee to another one involved. priority. The wanted man was arrested to evade the law. • Blue Circulation—seeks informa- in the sea resort of Aix-Les-Bains, Many international criminals are lone tion about a suspect, giving his France, and extradited to Switzerland, con men, counterfeiters and swindlers name, aliases, his prior convictions where he was tried and imprisoned. whose names are known to police around and pertinent details about his fam- When Smyth was released three years the world and who depend on a bewilder- ily and associates. later, Interpol kept track of him. He ing array of false names to stay in busi- • Green Circulation—the lowest popped up in Amsterdam six months ness. The big operators—the smugglers priority, merely warns that an in- later and, following a $30,000 diamond —usually work through "carriers," self- dividual is under suspicion and heist, dropped out of sight. The Dutch effacing individuals armed with a dozen should be watched closely. police sought his whereabouts and 28 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE . DECEMBER 1969 tivity of the international underworld. The maximum penalty for smuggling bullion into Pakistan is death, while Swiss authorities welcome all gold, with few questions asked. Gold smuggling has be- come so serious a problem that officials of many airlines attend the annual Inter- pol conferences seeking guidance. Planes are a favorite carrier for gold smugglers. In Burma, one gang hijacked an airliner

carrying gold bullion. They brought it off by booking all the seats on the plane. Some years ago, Interpol broke up an international ring that was using the French military mail service to smuggle gold out of France to the Far East. The ingots were shipped in packages osten- sibly from devoted wives sending cigar- ettes and candy to French army officers then stationed in Indochina. The smug- glers pinpointed the contraband pack- ages by using a coded set of initials pre- sumably from the senders. They were purposely mailed with insufficient post- age to bring them to the attention of postal clerks in Saigon who were in on the scheme. Everything worked beauti- fully until a couple of packages were spotted by a clerk who was not a mem- ber of the ring. He dutifully sent them back to France for the needed postage, but authorities at the other end discov- ered that the return addresses were non- One of the 21 radio stations that relay data to the 101 Interpol member nations. existent and opened up the packages. turned to Interpol for help. Interpol sent responded closely with the Algiers sus- Finding the ingots, they turned the case out another Red Alert, and a short time pect. But the accompanying file showed over to Interpol to help round up the later the elusive Smyth was picked up by photos of a bushy-haired, mustached man ringleaders. But before the ring was Italian authorities in Pisa. with a pointed nose. It also carried a smashed, it is estimated that two tons of It has been estimated that today there dossier showing the long-haired man had gold were smuggled out in this way at a are up to 10,000 first-class international a record as a thief and swindler. Getting huge profit. criminals and up to 5 million inexpert skeptical looks from his superiors, Beau- The smuggling of diamonds has been crooks. Interpol keeps track of the top lieu showed that the suspect's fingerprints a multi-million dollar bonanza for the men and their principal aides by name, matched those of the bushy-haired thief. underworld. The traffic was long con- fingerprint record, type of crime and by The Beaulieu method was officially in- trolled by several well-organized gangs a method of identification known as the stalled. who bought stolen diamonds from na- "spoken likeness." International criminals are attracted tives in Africa, smuggled them to Brus- For years criminals managed to cover to certain areas of the world. They gravi- sels or Amsterdam for cutting, then sent up their tracks by clever disguises and tate to Europe with its many handy the finished gems to outlets in London, through plastic surgery that changed borders and the helpful confusion of Paris and New York. The entire opera- their appearance completely. Then in the conflicting national laws. South Ameri- tion took only a few weeks. 1940's, a scholarly police officer named ca's mountainous regions and winding Interpol's experts on smuggling pieced Louis Beaulieu worked out for Interpol coastline have a strong appeal. So do together information from police of a virtually foolproof method of identi- the bustling ports of the United States, various countries, dug into their own fication. He divided the human profile where it is easy to be inconspicuous. voluminous files and finally came up with into six zones and subdivided each into Crooks also are lured by the teeming the identities of about 40 ringleaders in eight types according to facial character- cities of Asia where police are often too the vast operation. Then Interpol began istics, such as jutting or receding chin, preoccupied with the problem of political to close in on one gang led by a Euro- sloping forehead, the tilt of the nose, etc. refugees funneling across their borders pean airline pilot. A member of this Beaulieu reasoned that a criminal could to worry about some smuggler on the group bought stolen diamonds from a dye his hair, change the color of his eyes lam. British colony in Africa and flew them with contact lenses or bob his nose—but Experienced crooks make use of the to the International Zone of Tangier, he could not alter the entire outline of fact that what is criminal in one country then the world's greatest black market his face. is often legal in another. In the United center where gems could be taken in and The test came when police in Algiers States, anyone engaged in narcotics traf- out without duty or any other formality. sent Interpol photos of a dark-skinned fic is subject to stiff penalties and long The shipment would be picked up by young man with a snub nose and shaven imprisonment. But in Turkey and many the gang's top courier, an Austrian trav- head and asked for identification. Beau- Asian countries, law abiding farmers eling salesman using the name Gruber, lieu analyzed the profile, set down the grow poppies under government license who would then fly it to Paris. But at formula of zones and characteristics by to produce opium. this point Interpol investigators ran into numbers and went to his files. He soon A wide range of laws also applies to a blank wall. Gruber was searched each came up with a set of numbers that cor- gold smuggling, a favorite criminal ac- time he reached the French capital, but THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 29 Interpol... the Worldwide Police Network no stones were found in his possession. phine for a tenfold profit and finally into them a "lift" and they rarely haggle over Finally, the investigators noticed that heroin in which form the tab jumps to price lest they lose their "connection." when Gruber changed planes at Zurich, around $2,000 a pound. Then "pushers" Interpol field agents, those employed Switzerland, for Paris, another inter- cut the "junk" to about four to one with by the central bureaus, have run across national salesman named Duclos, travel- bicarbonate of soda and kitchen salt, many ruses in opium smuggling. In the ing under a Belgian passport, would ar- boosting the profit still higher. Middle East, the stuff is often packed in rive from Milan or some other point and small metal canisters and forced down change planes at the same time. Alerted the throats of camels. On arrival at their agents noted that Gruber and Duclos destination, the camels are given a pur- carried identical briefcases and ex- gative. If that fails, the beasts are killed. changed them as they stopped for a In the Far East, opium is hidden in the chat before the Belgian salesman caught skins of snakes made to look alive to flight the to Brussels. Yet customs men in fool customs officials. As it nears the the Belgian capital didn't find the dia- Western world, the narcotic is hidden in monds in Duclos' satchel. Interpol agents false drawers in cupboards, in book bind- continued tracking both men with- ings, bicycle tire tubes, children's toys, out arousing their suspicions. As they toothpaste and sometimes beneath a expected, the stolen gems finally were woman's girdle or brassiere. passed on to the airline captain on their It was through the aid of Interpol that suspect list, who hid them in the false U.S. Narcotics agents finally were able bottom of his suitcase. The airman had to close in on Irving Wexler, better been passing through the tight U.S. cus- known as Waxey Gordon, king of the toms control with only a cursory inspec- U.S. dope traffic over 30 years ago. tion, but this time he was seized with They traced the source of Gordon's sup- several hundred thousand dollars worth ply to a point thousands of miles away of diamonds in his possession. The rest and followed it step by step to the United of the gang was quickly rounded up and States. Gordon drew a 25-year-to-life within a few months they were behind sentence as a result of the evidence bars. amassed by Interpol and its agencies. Among the problems Interpol has to Another sordid enterprise of the in- contend with are outdated laws that en- ternational underworld is white slavery, courage crimes in some countries. Heavy but the hook must be baited more cleverly duties imposed by Brazil on many es- today since the level of female sophisti- sential products it does not manufacture cation and wariness has increased con- have inspired criminals to use the long siderably. International prostitution still Brazilian coastline to smuggle in autos, exists, but with a new switch. Girls from U.S. cigarettes, nylons and whiskey. An the farms and factories of Europe who American car, sent to Rio part by part have aspirations to sing or dance are and reassembled in some hideaway, may recruited in Western capitals for night- bring $12,000 or more on the Brazilian club jobs in the Middle East. They are black market. actually given some training in voice and Profit, of course, is the primary in- Interpol's action caught this heroin dance routines, then shipped off to caba- centive all for crooks, and if the returns smuggler (note packs taped to back rets in Beirut, Lebanon; Syria, or other are big enough they will take almost any and legs) as he landed in New York. play spots where oil-rich Arabs relax. risk, conceiving plans that are often rings their The girls may be called upon to entertain brilliant. Since drug and agents make so much money, it is difficult for police the patrons, but they soon find out that The drug traffic is one in which the to turn up an informer, and the addict their real job is to drink with customers dealers make huge profits and can afford who pays the final bill usually keeps his and spend the night with them. Interpol to pay their agents well. North America mouth shut for fear of cutting off his has succeeded in locating a number of is the No. 1 target of drug peddlers and source of supply. Addicts are the world's young girls who have fallen into the it is estimated that close to half a billion easiest customers. They are not fussy hands of white slavers, but it is difficult dollars a year is spent in the United about what they get as long as it gives (Continued on page 54) States by addicts of all ages, including thousands of teen-agers. The heroin they buy in New York streets for about a dol- lar a grain may well have begun its jour- ney in an Asian poppy field where it was processed into opium, carried through the mountains of northern Thailand, slipped by tins aboard a motorized junk in Bangkok and transshipped from there to some secret storing place near the Mediterranean.

The markup on heroin is very high. After the resin of the poppy is collected, it is smuggled out and sold for about 60 dollars a pound. Processed by under- Cans of "vegetables" actually contained X-ray view of heroin in can. Dark spots world chemists, it is turned into mor- hashish brought into N.Y. from Mideast. are metal slugs that add to can's weight. 30 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 THE BULGE ... 25 years later

U.S. tank 3081532 permanently enshrined in Bastogne as part of the McAuliffe monu- ment, named for the commander of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division that held Bastogne. TODAY YOU MIGHT be able to get a walkie-talkie left over from the Battle of the Bulge (25 years ago this Decem- ber) for about $32 at the Stock Ameri- cain store in Vielsalm, Belgium. For about $2 you might get a 105 shellcase. After WW2, one M. Lassine started sell- ing the scrap metal remains of tanks, A artillery pieces and other heavy equip- U.S. First Division monument near St. Vith, ment strewn over nearly 2,000 square where an American command made up of parts miles of the Ardennes. Salvageable of various units wrecked Hitler's timetable. metals became scarce, but the tourist de- mand for battle relics induced his son to continue the business as a souvenir store. The Ardennes towns have rebuilt themselves long since, but Bastogne has its McAuliffe monument (including the tank shown) and its "Nuts Museum" named for Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's answer of "Nuts!" to a Nazi surrender demand. There's even a "Nuts" camp- ground near Bastogne. The road from

Bastogne to HoufFalize is lined with U.S. tank turrets embedded in stone. Houf- falize, a recreation center, has a German tank on display. Signs noting battle events are numerous. Scrap metal that may never be reclaimed abounds from 'Stock Americain" store in Vielsalm which St. Vith north to Monschau in the sells battlefield relics 25 years later. form of Westwall "dragon teeth." Visi- tors to the Ardennes—and there are "Nuts Museum" established by the town many of them—cannot escape knowing By GEORGE BUSH of Bastogne to display battlefield relics to a constant stream of tourists. after 25 years that a great battle was fought there. the end THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 31 —

A DIGEST OF EVENTS WHICH VETERANS NEWSLETTER ARE OF PERSONAL INTEREST TO YOU DECEMBER 1969

PRESIDENT SIGNS NEW DEPENDENCY AND of drugs and narcotics . . . Noting INDEMNITY LEGISLATION FOR WIDOWS; that enforcement was not the sole answer, the Legion called attention The President has signed legis- to two Senate bills under consider- lation to increase the rates of de- ation, S.1895 and S.2637, noted that pendency and indemnity compensation the educational and research func- for widows and children of veterans tions would be assigned to the De- strongly . . . When signed the bill will partment of Justice, and among other things —discontinue the suggested these features more present formula of basing DIG rates properly be placed with the Dep't of on a minimum payment plus 12% of Health, Education and Welfare where the deceased serviceman's basic pay education, medical and scientific and substitute a set amount for all work is already being done . . . Also ranks which will not automatically urged was a new omnibus bill to be raised each time active duty pay control drugs and narcotics. is increased . . . Monthly rates will range from $167 for an E-1 pay VA MORTGAGE BACKING TO STAY AT grade up to $426 for an 0-10 ... A 71/2% RATE UNTIL END OF 1969: widow with children of the deceased veteran up to age 18 will be entitled In October, President Nixon signed to $20 per month for each child. PL91-78 to extend for 90 days the rate of 7-1/2% interest on VA in- LEGION PRESENTS TESTIMONY TO CONGRESS sured home loans . . . The program ON PORNOGRAPHY AND NARCOTICS: would have expired Oct. 1 and maximum interest would have reverted to 6%, Legion Child Welfare Division tes- virtually drying up mortgage funds Congressional timony was presented to completely, had he not done so . . . committees in recent weeks on two It's even now almost impossible to headline-making issues: (1) obscenity find lenders willing to loan $$$ at narcotics and and pornography and (2) 7-1/2% . . . The bill was signed as a dangerous drugs . . . The Legion gave stopgap measure pending possible a subcommittee of the House Judi- passage of other bills that would ex- ciary Committee its position on the tend to April 1, 1970, the authori- dissemination of obscene and porno- zation that would allow mortgage graphic materials and suggested that funds to find their natural level or Congress is the logical body to de- stretch out for two years the VA's velop guidelines and definitions authority to set interest rates at that will be acceptable to the coun- going market levels. try on what is obscene and/or BOTTLE pornographic . . . The Legion cited LEGION COMMEMORATIVE three ways in which it has attempted to fight the problem: 1. Recommended The American Legion's 50th Anni- to members and the public that they versary Commemorative Bottle — com- inform the U.S. Post Office upon missioned by the Legion's 50th An- receipt of unsolicited offensive and niversary Committee — is receiving objectionable material they no wide acceptance, reports producer longer wish to receive such material of the bottle, the J. W. Dant Co., of Schenley Industries through the mails ; 2. Give strong a division is well- support to law enforcement officials . . . Dant adds that it and testify in cases in which they prepared to meet an anticipated have first-hand knowledge; 3. heavy holiday demand, and that every Broadcast copies of the N.Y. State person sending in a coupon reserving Penal Law #484-h which has been de- a bottle is guaranteed one at a clared constitutional by the U.S. price approximating $10 per bottle, Supreme Court (as a guideline). varying slightly above or below Before a subcommittee of the Senate that level depending on the tax Committee on the Judiciary, the structures in the states in which . . your Legion called for a strong program it is purchased . Contact of education to help reduce the Legion post or local liquor dealer alarming rise in the unsupervised use for information.

32 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 AMERICAN LEGION NEWS AND VETERANS AFFAI RS DECEMBER, 1969 ^

men beginning at age 19 will be taken Legion's Exec Committee first; (c) to eliminate present uncer- tainties, institute a lottery for Class 1-A's after deferments shall have been deter- Holds Annual Fall Meeting mined; (d) continue undergraduate de- ferments for students making normal Leaders recommend Legion draft study to Pre- progress toward a degree; (e) graduate sident (oppose volunteer army, ask 19-yr-olds deferments should only be granted in be taken first under lottery system); condemn critical areas essential to national secur- ity; (f) occupational deferments should student anarchists; ask monument to astronauts. be continued in employment, apprentice- ship and training essential to national The American Legion's National Ex- Legion's Select Committee on Man- security; (g) that standards governing ecutive Committee has recommended to power and recommended them to Presi- conscientious objector status be returned the President and concerned government dent Nixon and administration officials. to those provided in the 1940 act; and bodies the results of a draft study made Created at the Legion's March 1969 (h) that an All-Volunteer Armed Force by its Select Committee on Manpower, Washington Conference, this committee is not feasible, would he a serious drain has called for revocation of scholastic was to ( 1 ) investigate alleged inequities on the economics of our country, is not aid to convicted student anarchists, and in the Selective Service System and make desirable, and would have a detrimental urged erection of a national monument recommendations for their correction effect upon the Reserve Components and to the Apollo 1 1 astronauts. (2) study all proposals for an All-Vol- the Reserve Officers Training Corps. The above were only a few of the unteer Armed Force and make a report Members of the Select Committee mandates adopted by the Legion's top on the feasibility of instituting such plans were: Emmett G. Lenihan, Chmn; John policy body at its regular fall meeting for the defense of this nation and (3) S. Gleason. Jr.; William E. Galbraith; in Nat'l Hq, Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 8-9. study and make recommendations on all Raymond F. Hufft; Francis P. Kane; They also received reports from regular manpower needs of this nation as they Hugh W. Overton and Granville S. and special national commissions and may relate to national security and de- Ridley. committees and confirmed appointments fense. The Legion's mandate, preceded by of chairmen and members of national Here are the special committee's rec- only a few days the announcement that Legion policy bodies. A digest of resolu- ommendations: (a) Selective service Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, Selective Ser- tions and a list of national commission laws and the Selective Service System are vice head, would step out of office in appointments and changes follows this vital to the nation and should be con- February 1970. report. tinued in operation subject to minor The recommendations were further Presided over by Nat'l Cmdr J. Milton variations by law or executive order; bolstered by another Executive Commit- Patrick (Okla. ), the Committee solidly (b) that the present order of induction tee resolution opposing any legislation backed the conclusions reached by the should be revised so that the youngest that would abolish the draft and estab-

Natlonal Commander's Banquet to the Executive Committee

At his Banquet to the Executive Com- mittee, held the evening of Oct. 8 at the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Nat'l Cmdr Patrick told the audience about the military and diplomatic briefing tour he made in Southeast Asia during Sep- tember. {A report on this was carried in the News Section of the November issue.) Referring to the stalemated Vietnam Peace talks being held in Paris, Cmdr Patrick noted that "in the light of the enemy's failure to reciprocate, we believe the time has come to re-evaluate the situation." He added: "The next move should be up to the enemy. If he wants peace, the next concession should be his. The cry of 'not enough,' by those who would settle for peace at any price, is a

bit sickening when it is considered that the enemy has given nothing. Let those

who feel it is 'not enough,' direct their tirades against those who have given National Commander Patrick addresses National Executive Committee Banquet. nothing to the cause of peace." THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 33 NEWS

Donald J. lish a volunteer armed forces system. now lists the following tentative awards: INTERNAL AFFAIRS: By-Laws, The Committee sharply condemned Portland, Ore., Aug. 28-Sept. 3, 1970; Smith, Mich.; Constitution & Alfonse F. Wells, 111.; Membership & campus disorders noting that these "un- Houston, Tex., Aug. 27-Sept. 2, 1971; Post Activities, William F. Gormley, Pa.; lawful actions and unilateral conces- Chicago, 111., Aug. 18-24, 1972; Los An- Resolutions Assignment, C. W. Griffith, sions (by educational governing bodies) geles, Calif., Aug. 24-30, 1973, and 16-22, 1974. S.C; Trophies, Awards & Ceremonials, are demoralizing, undermining and de- Miami Beach. Fla., Aug. John C. Mann, Pa. stroying the principles and the very The Legion's Midwinter Washington ." Conference will be held March 2-6, 1970, LEGISLATIVE: Clarence C. Horton, foundation of our nation . . The Com- Ala. mittee called for enforcmeent of law and in Washington, D.C. In addition to the order and an end to the "costly farces regular business conducted at these ses- NATIONAL SECURITY: Emmett the White Aeronautics that are endangering our national rights sions. Legion leaders will visit G. Lenihan, Wash.; & ." House to witness the presentation of the Space, Roscoe Turner, Ind.; Civil De- and well-being . . They asked that gov- to Garner, Tenn.; ernment financial aid being received by Legion's Distinguished Service Medal fense, Stacey A. Law & convicted student anarchists be revoked. President Nixon. The medal, awarded Order, Paul S. Kinsey, Ohio; Merchant Nat'l Executive Com- Marine, James M. Wagonseller, Ohio; Calling for the erection of a natioanl at the May 1969, mittee meeting, was not presented at the Military Affairs, Francis P. Kane, 111.; monument in Washington, D.C., to the Atlanta Nat'l Convention because the Naval Affairs John J. Wrenn, Mass.; Apollo 1 1 moonmen to commemorate President was unable to attend. National Security Council, Granville S. man's first landing and return from an- the delegates are Ridley, Tenn. other celestial body, the Committee sug- Following this, visit Arlington National James E. Powers, gested that the American public be given scheduled to PUBLICATIONS: plaque placed there an opportunity to contribute to the cost Cemetery, view the Ga. describing the Legion's Gift to the Na- De- of the monument so as to participate PUBLIC RELATIONS: C. D. tion (a permanent lighting system at the more fully in this tribute to the astro- Loach, D.C. of the Unknowns), and watch the nauts. Tomb REHABILITATION: W. F. Lenker, lights come up at dusk. Conn.; With the Hurricane Camille disaster S.D.; Area A, Thomas W. Byers, Nat'l Executive Committee will Bloodsworth, Del.; vivid in their minds. Committeemen The Area B, Garland D. have its spring, 1970 meetings at Nat'l L. Tenn.; urged legislation to amend PL91-79 and Area C, Vollie McCollum, 6-7. National commissions Neb.; Area PL89-339 so that Small Business Admin- Hq on May Area D, Albert J. Sommer, will meet May 4-5. Ariz.; National istration loans issued to victims of Hur- and committees E, Garland H. Woods, Minn. ricanes Camille and Betsy (1965) would Cemetery, Carl L. Lundgren, be forgiven. Many Louisiana and Mis- National Commission Changes Reorganization Committee: L. O. Va. sissippi veterans and other citizens were The National Executive Committee Bickel, W. disasters. twice victimized by the appointed members and chairmen to fill The Legion's Disaster Relief Fund, vacancies on 1969-70 national policy Digest of Resolutions into action almost immedi- which went bodies. Following is a list of the national Here is a digest of resolutions adopted at ately, had climbed to nearly $75,000 chairmen whose appointments were ap- at the fall, 1969 meeting of the Legion's the time of this writing. Albert V. proved. COMMISSIONS are in capital National Executive Committee. Identi- of the LaBiche (La.) named chairman letters with committees and other divi- fying numbers follow in parentheses. to administer the special committee sions of commissions printed in italics. • Calls for revocation of governmenf financial funds, announced that Legion district AMERICANISM: Daniel J. O'Con- aid or scholarship to any student convicted of commanders in the stricken areas of Mis- any action to destroy, advocate destruction of nor, N.Y.; Counter-Subversive Activi- our government through illegal means or who is sissippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Vir- convicted of participation in unlawful actions de- ties, J. Martie, Nev.; Americanism E. other students of lawful rights. (16) ginia would be asked to inspect damage priving Council, Albert H. Woessner, N.Y. • Calls for national monument to the astronauts done to Legion post homes in their areas of Apollo 11, marking man's first landing and CHILD WELFARE: Earl D. Frank- return from the moon and suggests public par- and report back to the Relief Fund Com- ticipation in fund-raising. (4) lin, Jr., Colo.: New England Area, Mi- • provide forgiveness of out- mittee. First priority use of the fund Asks legislation to chael G. DiLorenzo, R.I.; Middle At- standing Small Business Administration loans would go to aid in repairing or rebuild- which provided assistance to victims of Hurri- lantic Area, Arnold G. Frazier, N.Y.; cane Betsy (1965) and Hurricane Camille (1969). of the ing those post homes. Balance (10) Southern Area, Cameron L. King, Ky.; • government the funds would go to help worthwhile civic Recommends to the federal Midwestern Area, Ray A. Griffin, Neb.; conclusions reached on the draft by the Legion's projects resume pre-hurricane functions. Select Committee on Manpower. (6) McLouth, • Opposes legislation that would abolish the continue Western Area, Lynn W. In this way the Legion hoped to draft and establish a volunteer armed forces. (7) Mont. • to denounce false confessions its historic function of serving commu- Urges Congress CONVENTION: James V. Demar- (USS Pueblo Affair) and take appropriate meas- nity, state and nation. ures to insure that such an act does not recur est, N.Y.; Contests Supervisory, Deming to damage national integrity. (14) On the housekeeping side, the Execu- • Calls for support at all levels of the Legion Smith, S.D.; Distinguished Guests, A. L. for government and civic efforts toward winning tive Committee authorized renegotiation the battle aaginst air, land and water pollution. Starshak, 111. of the Legion's lease from the State of (28) • H.R. 13472, or any similar ECONOMIC: Clarence S. Campbell, Asks that S. 2838 and Indiana of the National Headquarters legislation proposing the establishment of a com- development program to building at Indianapolis and, following Vt.; Employment, Walter M. Rapp, prehensive manpower persons in overcoming obstacles to suit- B. Fen- assist that, installation of an air conditioning Okla.; Veterans' Preference, A. able employment, be amended to provide prefer- veterans. nell, S.C. ence for war (13) system in that building. • Amends the Legion's Uniform Code of Pro- National Conven- One resolution, which called for sup- FINANCE: Churchill T. Williams, cedure for the organization of tions so that "any proposed amendment to the port of a proposal to amend the Federal Iowa; Life Insurance & Trust, Albert V. Constitution and By-Laws of The American receive an affirmative vote of La.; Emblem, Julius Levy, Pa.; Legion shall first Communications Act of 1934 to insure LaBiche, the Convention Committee on Constitutional votes that no system of pay-television be es- Overseas Graves Decoration Trust, Nat'l Amendments of at least two-thirds of the cast by that committee, in order for that com- tablished unless instituted, authorized Cmdr J. Milton Patrick, Okla. mittee to adopt any such proposed constitutional Congress was Thomas amendment." (24) and controlled by the U.S. FOREIGN RELATIONS: • Increases Legion Life Insurance Plan benefits tabled. E. Whelan, N.D.; Foreign Relations by 15% for 1970. (25) • Asks review of U. S. Labor Dep't training and The National Convention schedule Council, Marvin W. Roth, Wis. employment programs so that returning veterans 34 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 —

NEWS

can qualify without regard to poverty provisions West Point, for example, former Boys' a single subscription and $1.00 per sub- of said programs. (20) • Calls for legislation to liberalize annual in- Staters make up 30-31% of its 1971 scription in bulk orders of 20 or more come reporting reguirements of veterans, widows Class; at they and dependent parents age 72 or older. (21) Annapolis, make up 18% copies mailed to the same address. Use • Condemns Fidel Castro, the late Che Guevara of its '71 Class; at the Air Force Acad- the coupon on this page for your post. and their supporters and any book, writing or film depicting them as freedom fighters. (17) emy, nearly 20%.) • Supports legislation to exempt pay of enlisted Other speakers included: Nat'l Ameri- men and officers from federal taxation up to $500 Post Welcomes Viet Vets Home a month while serving in Korea. (15) canism Commission Chairman Daniel J. • Asks colleges and universities to make special provisions in admission policies for Vietnam O'Connor (N.Y.), and Boys' Nation veterans. (12) President Gregory Gray, of Gary, Ind. • Asks legislation to provide VA drugs and medi- cines for veterans receiving increased compensa- tion and pension by reason of being housebound. (23) Firing Line • Asks amendment to law so that servicemen and women may be eligible upon application At the Legion's recent National Con- to receive retirement pay on or after reaching age 55 instead of the present age 60. (5) vention in Atlanta, Ga., Firing Line, the • Supports legislation to extend patent privileges monthly newsletter pubhshed by the to all persons who served in U.S. armed forces since WW2. (8) Americanism Division, received the cov- Illinois governor welcomes Viet Vets. • Calls for adjustment of inequities in U.S. armed forces eted Vigilant Patriot Award from the retirement program. (9) Quincy, 111., Post 37 welcomed home • Urges the U.S. Post Office to include the mes- All-American Conference to Combat sage "Display Your Flag," on sheets of stamps the 200 men of the 126th Service and that portray the flag on the regular six-cent issue. Communism. Supply with salute that (11) Co. a hometown Firing Line each carries • Authorizes Employer of the Year Awards For month perti- included addresses by Gov. Richard B. Hiring Veterans. (19) nent articles concerning subversive in- • American Legion Baseball rules changes. (18) Ogilvie, Rep. Paul Findley, and Lt. Col. • Rules for 1970 Nat'l Convention Contests. fluences in the United States. For exam- (26) J. B. Cole, commander of the 232nd • Recommends a Nat'l Membership Workshop ple, it was one of the first publications be held at Nat'l Hq, Aug. 1970. (1) Service and Supply Bn. Colonel Cole • Authorizes temporary charter for Dwight D. to cover in depth the background and ac- gave the nation's third highest for Eisenhower Post 13, Augsburg, Germany, Dep't award tivities of the Students for a Democratic of France. (2) valor to Spec. 4 Gail Oitker and other • Authorizes renegotiation of lease of National Society (SDS) when it focussed its at- Headquarters Building at Indianapolis, Ind., with awards to 39 of the unit. Paul Hensel, State of Indiana and authorizes installation of tention on that organization back in an air conditioning system in that building. president of the Quincy Chamber of (29) May, 1965. Its March, 1969 issue was Commerce, was MC. Rodney Hinkam- devoted entirely to a recap of SDS ac- per, the coordinating committee chair- Boys' State Confab tivities previously reported in Firing man for all the sponsoring groups, had Ninety-eight representatives of The Line. on his committee John Purdy, Bob Bas- American Legion's Boys' State program, In 1963, Firing Line's circulation was tean, and John Duncan. from 41 Departments, gathered in In- only 1,000 copies. Today, it circulates dianapolis on Oct. 4-5 for the 34th an- 14,000 copies covering information on nual Boys' State Conference. Purpose of topics ranging from the Communist A Boys' Stater Writes: the two-day meeting was to give Boys' Party to questionable organizations now Sent to Boys' State by Post 469, States' directors an opportunity to ex- operating on the nation's colleges and Kansas City, Mo., Steven J. Kase writes, change views and information for the university campuses. in part: "I was about to give up on our mutual improvement of the operation of An inlformed Legion post is a better form of democracy. Boys' State showed

Boys' States. Legion post. One of the ways Legion- me there is still a lot of hope for us today. Charles F. Hamilton, Missouri's Boys' naires can get condensed factual infor- After seeing pure democracy I realize

State Director, was Chairman of the mation about subversive influences is how good it can be and how well it Conference. In his opening remarks, he through a subscription to Firing Line. works. This is probably the most im- noted that in 1969, there were 28,797 The cost is nominal: $3.00 per year for portant thing I learned." boys enrolled in the program—Ohio's enrollment of 1,360 was the highest and that total national operating costs To Subscribe to FIRING LINE — for the year were more than $1,300,000. Fill in the coupon below and mail it along with your check for $3.00 for a There are Boys' State programs in 50 single subscription or $20.00 or more for a bulk subscription of 20 or more Departments in the U.S., including the at $1.00 per subscription. BULK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE MAILED TO ONE District of Columbia. Hawaii, the only ADDRESS ONLY. state without a program, expects to in- TO: FIRING LINE augurate one in 1970. There are some P.O. BOX 1055 350 directors, chairmen and members INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46206 who staff the programs on a year-round basis, and most of them are volunteers. ENTER MY SUBSCRIPTION FOR ONE YEAR TO FIRING LINE. This figure zooms sharply during Boys' I enclose my check for $3.00 State weeks, when additional personnel I enclose my check for $20.00 or more. are brought in. Guest speakers at the Conference in- NAME AND ADDRESS ONLY: cluded representatives from the Naval Academy, Annapolis, the Military Acad- emy, West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs. Each offi- cer called attention to his Academy's willingness and desire to cooperate with Boys' States and stressed the excellent potential Boys' Staters offered as nomi- nees and students for the academies. (At Zip Code

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 35 A SPECIAL REPORT

LEGION LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

Now in its second decade. How it has grown. What it has done.

I N 1970, The American Legion Life The insurance is known as "decreasing Jersey, a group life insurance certificate Insurance Plan will once again pay term life insurance." Instead of raising is issued. In the excepted states an indi- 15% more benefits than those stated in the premiums with increasing age (the vidual policy is issued. Applications and the policies. Therein lies a sort of suc- most common system for term insur- benefits vary slightly from state to state. cess story—that of an insurance plan ance), the premiums stay at $12 (half The policy has no cash value, loan value which, when making out well, shared the unit) or $24 (full unit) and the benefits or other non-forfeiture provisions be-

wealth with the insured by paying off are reduced as the insured Legionnaire cause it is low-cost term insurance. more than promised. Being low-cost ages. One of the strong features of the plan term insurance, the plan does not pay dividends. But 1970 will be the fifth straight year in which this 12-year-old plan offered a 15% "bonus" in benefits instead. The plan has also created a separate trust fund from which 50 four-year $2,000 college scholarships are now awarded annually, which may only go to the insured or certain relatives of theirs, and whose recipients may only be nominated by the insured. Some 10,000 of the nearly 100,000 insured named their scholarship candidates in 1969, and the 50 recipients were chosen on an im- partial basis from among their nominees. It all began about 12 years ago when a special meeting of the Legion's Na- tional Executive Committee in Washing- ton during February 1958, authorized the creation of a life insurance plan to be offered to Legionnaires.

Today that insurance plan is nearing the 100,000 member mark and has paid Dorothy Warekois, secretary to the Administrator of the insurance plan, operates information retrieval unit containing names of almost 100,000 insured Legionnaires. over $7 million in claims from inception

through March 1969 ($1,376,243 in The plan now has a basic minimum is its claims setup. John Brogan, who 1968 alone). The level of premium dol- reserve fund of over $1,200,000 to cover heads the Youngberg-Carlson Co., Inc., lars soared past the $2 million mark in any contingency, more than satisfying the Administrator of the Plan, says that 1968 (over $11 million total from 1958 original Executive Committee resolution claim payment checks are issued and through 1969). calling for a $1 million reserve. The mailed out the same day as all papers re- The plan started in 1958 with 28,000 funds are invested in U.S. Treasury bills, lating to a Legionnaire's death are received insured by the end of that year. Then notes and bonds. and cleared through necessary channels.

it rose to a plateau of about 40,000 for Each year it reimburses the Legion na- Thus far, close to 6,000 claims have several years before taking off toward the tional organization for its expenses in- been processed since 1958 amounting to

100,000 mark. It is made known to curred in connection with the plan: i.e., almost $8 million dollars. In 1968 alone,

members by advertising in this maga- $43,608.49 for 1968. It is a self-support- 954 claims worth $1,376,243 were paid. zine, direct mail and word of mouth. ing plan which brings no cost to the (See charts on these pages for premium Roughly 77,000 of insured Legion- national organization as all expenses growth and claims-paid totals for the naires are in the 35-59 age group. Today, come out of the plan itself. years involved.) From January to July

about 1,000 Vietnam vets are insured, The plan is carried by the Occidental 1969, there were 663 claims processed. most of them under 29. They get top Life Insurance Company of California Obviously, claims are increasing. Most value from the plan, as they can carry with the exception of Puerto Rico and payments now go to survivors and bene- $10,000 face value insurance up to age New York State where coverage is han- ficiaries of WW2 insured veterans. The 29. (With the 15% "bonus" in effect, dled by the United States Life Insurance plan stays solvent because benefits de- that comes to $1 1,500). The insured in- Co. in the City of New York. In all other crease with age, as was noted earlier. clude 7,000 Legionnaires aged 65 to 75, states, excepting North Carolina, Ohio, Surprisingly, many families of Legion- for whom the benefits are the lowest. Texas, Wisconsin, Illinois and New naires don't immediately make claim

36 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 NEWS upon the death of the insured. Some- have this happen, borderline applications to-age-29" bracket, which pays off the times the insured has neglected to inform are screened quite rigorously. Denial of most to beneficiaries. Then Vietnam vets his spouse, member of family or other applications in 1968 was 1,910 out of became eligible for Legion membership beneficiary that he is even insured! Thus 10,832, of which 1,020 were absolutely at the 1966 Nat'l Convention and hence the widow's (or family's) only hint of denied and 890 placed in permanent sus- for the $10,000 insurance coverage plus benefit to come may arrive in the form pense because necessary health forms 15% at $24 a year. of a renewal notice sent to the insured were not returned to the company. By a large margin, about six-to-one, Legionnaire at the end of the policy year. On the other side of the ledger is the insured Legionnaires carry the full unit It is then that a line of communication lengths plan operatives will go to in or- in preference to the half-unit. All poli- is opened when the widow writes back to der to see that a claim is paid. In the cies are for one year on a calendar year inquire if insurance was in force at the Chicago office there are files of volumi- basis, i.e.: Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. A member time of her husband's death. Many wid- nous correspondence, much of it going who first becomes insured after Jan. 1 ows later write this was the only form back a year or more, which show the per- pays on a pro-rated basis for the remain- of insurance the family had. sistent efforts made to explore every ave- ing months of that year, and thereafter Naturally, proof of death of the in- nue to settle claims. This is especially is insured on a calendar year basis. When sured must be supplied. Assuming all is so when no claim is made on the death the insurance terminates on Dec. 3 1 each in order, when benefits are received un- of a Legionnaire thought to be insured, year the Legionnaire renews by paying der such circumstances, they are ob- or when beneficiaries can't be found. In his bill on time, without reapplying in viously an unexpected windfall. some cases the claims are small, amount- any other way. On that basis he can con- In cases where the widow also passes ing only to a few hundred dollars. The tinue to renew until his 75th birthday.

AMERICAN LEGION LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUM GROWTH 1958-1968 AMERICAN LEGION UFE INSURANCE PAID CLAIMS 1958-MARCH 31, 1969 7 MILLION DOLLARS *7,068>90 200- 2 MILUON OOLUMtS *2,0I6,073

800 1,829,728

1,652,883 600 1,412, 305 400 1,300,187 ZOO- 1,178,000 IMIIUON DOLLARS

i840,000 800-

600- tAi0,0OO 400-

ZOO-

0 1961 1962 1963 I96

from departments within their areas. Oklahoma Legion Greets the New National Commander

This is to ensure an equitable distribu- tion of the fifty scholarships. Alternates are chosen at the same time. In 1969, of the 50 scholarships, 48 accepted, one declined (she was the wife of a Legionnaire and decided at the last minute not to take schooling) and the other, also the wife of a Legionnaire, plans to start schooling in the fall of 1970 after she and her family move to a new state. The declined scholarship ap- plicant was replaced by an alternate. Though there are no figures to support the claim. Legion Insurance Director Paul Weber, whose desk is in the Chi- cago office, maintains the new scholar- ship program has increased the number of Legionnaires purchasing the plan. Weber also reports department adjutants showing a great deal more interest since Patrick face the camera at their Patrick's Patch chow line. the inception of the scholarship awards. The Commander and Mrs. In 1969, about 10,000 scholarship nom- The sun joined about one thousand merce and editor and publisher of the inations were made. Oklahomans and out-of-state visitors in 1 ulsa Tribune, who lamented the all-too- and To find out more about Legion Life smiling on Nat'l Cmdr J. Milton Pat- frequent sensationalism of the press instances of dis- Insurance and the Scholarship Program, rick's two-day Homecoming on October TV in reporting isolated see the ad on page 45 and/ or write Paul 3-4. A dinner on Friday, Oct. 3, for out- order and protest. Weber, Director, American Legion Life of-state guests, at the Camelot Inn, Tulsa, Mrs. H. Milton Davidson, of Clovis, Insurance Plan, 1 1 1 West Jackson Blvd., was the opener. Next morning came a N. Mex., Nat'l President of the Legion 13th Floor, Chicago, 111. 60604. tour of the Will Rogers Memorial and Auxiliary also spoke. the famous Davis Gun Collection, the The Commander, who had just re- Asia, Dep't, Post History Winners world's largest, at Claremore. turned from a tour of Southeast guests de- which included visits to Japan, Vietnam The Dep't of Montana won first prize Bus loads of distinguished Patrick's (a four-day visit with his son, David), in the Legion's annual Department His- scended upon Commander South Korea, and Hong Kong, held a tory contest. Mrs. Geraldine Lowery is home—Patrick's Patch—in Skiatook, 1 news conference and told newsmen he the Dep't Historian. The prize amounts miles north of Tulsa, for a Saturday rolling estate "hopefully and prayerfully looks for to $200 and, as was the case with all the luncheon. The beautiful, peace and the end of fighting in South- cash winners, a citation. beckoned the visitors, who were capti- a barbecue of roast east Asia. Nat'l Historian John May, of Colum- vated at the outset by beef, baked beans, appetizers, beverages, bia, S.C., announced the results of the Posts Celebrate the 50th apples Macintoshes from contest. and crates of — the Patrick orchards. Some dined under The second award went to the Dep't large tent, others in the shade of of Kansas (Richard Loosbrock, Ph.D., a stately elms and cedars. historian), with a prize of $125. The Pa- Dep't of California won Honorable Then there was the Homecoming "Okla- Mention (Hope Kennedy). In Type 2 rade, with the town band playing In Histories (Supplement to earlier Dep't homa!" and more toe-tapping music. with the Commander History, provided it begins where earlier the reviewing stand Leslie history ended and covers at least 10 and his family were Brig. Gen. For aid in publicizing the 50th years), Florida was the winner, with a Lane, assistant Div Cmdr, 95th Div, Tng, (Ret.), $100 prize (Mrs. Lillian Gregory). Run- and Maj. Gen. Ernest L. Massad For its efforts in publicizing the Le- ner-up was District of Columbia, for a former commander of the Division and gion's 50th, the Long Island Lighting $75 prize (Mrs. Minne Hickman). former Assistant Secretary of Defense Co. was given a citation by the Nassau for Reserve Affairs. The entire town was The utility The champion post history in Type 1 Co., N.Y., Committee. its son, Pat. Two posts, with an (posts chartered prior to 1944), was the there to greet stamped over 500,000 maiHngs in particular, contributed all kinds of Legion's Anniver- product of Post 2, Washington, D.C. announcement of the Skiatook, and Post (Mrs. Minne Hickman), for $150. Sec- services: Post 131, sary. In the photo are Frank C. MacKay 1. Tulsa. vice president of ond award went to Post 2, Newton, Kan- (center), the company's the cita- sas (Dillard Lantz) for $100. Third was Several hundred persons filled the gym Community Affairs, receiving honor the new Nassau Co. Cmdr Edward won by Post 1, Tulsa, Okla. ($50, George at the Skiatook H.S. to tion from Norvell). Commander at his banquet. Presiding LaJoie, and Andrew Krewell, the County Lieutenant-Governor of 50th Anniversary chairman. In Type 2 (posts chartered since 1944), was the witty Nigh. Past Nat'l The highlight of the observance of Post 118, Gardiner, Montana, won first Oklahoma, George Preston J. Moore introduced the Post 19, Bronx, N.Y., was an award to prize ($100, Ray Easton). Post 303, Bon- Cmdr table guests and others. a boy for his assistance in saving tenants ita Springs, Fla., got the second prize head the main from a fire. The post has sponsored a ($75, Anthony Rocco). Post 235, San Receiving an ovation was 45 years, and Scout- Antonio, Texas, was the third prize win- speaker, Jenkin Lloyd Jones, president Boy Scout troop for master Robert Wood, a post member, ner ($25, Earle Wheeler). of the United States Chamber of Com- 38 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 —

presented to the post a citation acknowl- rade and the Miss South Carolina Pag- men killed in Vietnam. The post also

edging its 50 years. In the photo, I. to eant for the Miss U.S.A. contest, which issued golden anniversary coins to com- rt.: John Othmer, Past County Cmdr. was sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Sam memorate the 50th. Bronx; Wood; and Ben Lizzo, Post Woodring, owner and editor of the North Cmdr. Augusta Star. Guests included Senator and Mrs. Strom Thurmond, Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Tillson (he's the commanding general at Fort Gordon, Ga.), and sev- eral cars of veterans of all the wars WWl to date. In the photo. Senator Thurmond is greeted by C of C presi- dent Warren Kenrick, Mrs. Thurmond is welcomed by the District 4 Chaplain, Rev. Robert Ledbetter, and Post Cmdr Nathan Wolfe observes.

From one who knows about birthdays . . .

The 50th was symbolized in a birth- day cake propelled by four-year-old Diane Musetti, of Watertown, Mass., in the doll carriage parade held each year Post 19, N.Y.: 45 years with Boy Scouts as part of the July 4 celebration spon- sored by Post 99 and the town. Diane In appreciation of the extensive re- is the daughter of Post Cmdr Renato development program prescribed for the and Angle Musetti. Journal Square section of Jersey City, Post 156, Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, N.J., a commemorative plaque was pre- Pa,, planted a red oak on a hillside ap- sented to Austin Tobin, Executive Di- proaching the swimming pool in Mt. rector of the Port of New York Author- Post 27, Conn., creates a Legion image. Lebanon Park, and installed a bronze ity, by Post 51, Jersey City. A new ad- ministration building is being con- The Town of Litchfield, Conn., tied structed, and what was once the Hudson in its own 250th Anniversary with the Tubes (a passenger transit system be- Legion's 50th, and had a parade which tween New York City and Newark, N.J., featured a sculptured statue of The Le- with a terminal in Jersey City) is being gionnaire saluting the flag. In the back- ground of the photo is Raymond Mo, a member of Post 27, creator of the figure and well-known as a snow sculptor in Connecticut. Assisting Mo in the con- struction of the float, which was spon- sored by the post, was James Moriarity, Jr., a Viet Vet and post member. A din- Post 156, Pa.: plaque, tree planting ner celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Legion's partnership with the State plaque, honoring the memory of the of Connecticut in the management of the dead. Shown in the photo are R. Creps, Soldiers', Sailors', and Marines' Fund. H. Disque, R. Steele, G. Tinkler, Direc- The speaker was James Powers, Past tor of Public Works W. Petemel, J. Nat'l Cmdr (1962-63) and present chair- Petrelli, who constructed the plaque man of the Legion's Publications Com- base, R. Breen, and W. Cramer. Saluting New Jersey civic improvement mission, who also addressed the Depart- For Post 26, Hancocl^, Md., Mayor Daniel lighted a entirely rebuilt to connect vital points ment Convention banquet, closing event Fleming Flame of Free- in New Jersey to the new World Trade of the year-long observance of the Le- dom, a gift from Auxiliary Unit 26. gion's Center now under construction in down- 50th. town New York. In the photo, Aiden The Dep't of Ohio produced striking Goggins, Anniversary Chmn, presents program books for its celebrations. The Area 2 booklet utilized the talents of the plaque to Mr. Tobin. At left is Louis Cpl Gambaccini, Director of Rail Transpor- Robert O. Templeton, USMC, of Day- tation. ton, who was in Vietnam with the First Marine Wing. He produced a cover de- sign and a series of drawings and car- toons. The Third District turned out a 64-page, four-color, illustrated program which contained a center spread entitled "Through the Years with the Legion and the Auxiliary." It listed all past national Post 250, Hinsdale, III., staged a post and unit co-operative cake-cutting. commanders. Auxiliary presidents, con- vention locations, Dep't convention loca- Also holding appropriate ceremonies Senator Thurmond visits Post 71, S.C. tions, and other, more local, data. were Post 237, Troy, N.Y.; Post 127, Post 71, North Augusta, S.C, com- Post 463, Plymouth, Pa., presented Gladbrook, Iowa; and Post 16, Slating- bined March 15th activities with a pa- plaques to the mothers of two Plymouth ton, Pa.

THE AMERIC/ LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 39 General Outdoor Advertising Co. made possible Legion displays on more than 30 billboards in the Greater New Orleans area and also put out free bumper stickers. Algiers Post 218 gave the company a plaque at the post's birth- day party. The First District also gave the firm a plaque. The job of putting up the displays was contributed by Indus- trial Outdoor Displays. Another helpful firm is Ruth Outdoor Advertising Company, which donated billboards in four locations in Schenec- tady, N.Y., and was cited by the county Legion. Post 1005 conducted a poster contest for students of Mont Pleasant H.S. The Broome Co., N.Y., posts prepared a supplement for the Binghamton Eve- ning Press which told of the Legion's history and services to nation and com- munities. Post 421, Milwaukee, Wis., put on an This pensive gathering was part of 200 at banquet of Post 28, Monessen, Pa. entertainment program for patients at Dep't Post 28, Monessen, Pa., was "totally Fladgard, Mrs. Leahy, and then Wood VA Hospital, presenting an opera involved" in the 50th: obtained a proc- Cmdr Bill Danekas. singer, a male chorus, a magician, a hosting lamation of Legion Anniversary Month Post 261, Cedar Lake, Ind., young band, and four folk dance groups. Doyle, dedi- by Mayor Hugo Parente; purchased 100 then Nat'l Cmdr WiUiam In the photo, Diego Mattarella, chief of for Viet Vets. Cmdr Legion FDC cachets; subscribed to Gift cated an Honor Roll physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Eternal Flame to the Nation; purchased 1,000 Legion Doyle switched on Wood, explains a device used to give 261. banquet honored stamps on first day of local sale; partici- donated by Unit A patients exercise. Listening are (from the Commander. pated in billboard campaign; urged left) Michael Cantwell, Walter Kubiak, radio stations to use spot announcements; Five TV sets with gold plaques were Frank Corsino. and Arnold Thomas. and had more than 200 Legionnaires given to the Fort Hamilton VA Hospital and guests at its banquet. Photo shows by Canarsie Post and Unit 573 (Brook- a portion of the banquet crowd. lyn), N.Y, Four TV sets with plaques were donated to St. Alban's Naval Hos- pital, Queens County.

Post 435, Minneapolis-Richfield, Minn.: Deloris DeJarlais, president of Unit 435, Delegation from Post 421, Wis., listens. presents a 50th Anniversary plaque to Post Brunswick, Mo., displayed its Post Cmdr Raymond Anderson. 7, original charter, had 1 1 of its 17 surviv- ing founders, and enjoyed a surprise visit from then Dep't Cmdr Sam Modica. The Dep't of Iowa Auxiliary presented Post 74, Fairfield, Conn.: award to Anna a water sculpture fountain to the Iowa Carroll, three-time Auxiliary Unit presi- Soldiers' Home in commemoration of dent and 50-year member. Post Cmdr Alfred Nighthauser makes presentation. the Anniversary.

MARTIN S PHOTO SHOP, TERRE HAUTE

Post 15, S.D.: permanent Freedom Flame

Post 15, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., lighted its Freedom Flame and dedicated it in memory of the late Burt J. Leahy, for many years the Legion hospital represen- tative at the Sioux Falls VA Center. In Lt. the photo are Legionnaire Gov. Post 40, Terre Haute, Ind., 50-year members and others get First Day stamps James Abdnor, then Post Cmdr Kenneth from Frank Miklozek, postmaster and member of Post 40 (hatiess in light suit). 40 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 NEWS

Guest of Post 14, San Bernardino, (the 10th), sponsored by the American Calif., was Harvey Wolfe, an authority Chess Foundation. on espionage, sabotage and subversion. He has been liaison officer to Scotland Yard and the French Surete and was security officer at the Nurnberg war criminal trials and special agent in charge of an espionage network for Iron Curtain penetration. He is the first vice commander of Los Angeles County Post 810. Post 14 gave the city a Flame of Freedom on a high pole and a large mar- ble plaque which identified it with the Legion's anniversary. At the Michigan Dep't Convention were three generations of Legionnaires: L to R, BRIEFLY NOTED Ray J. Kelly II; Ray J. Kelly, Senior, Past Nat'l Lt. J. Kelly III, The needs of our servicemen in Viet- Cmdr; and Ray who is with the United States Army. nam have once again aroused the giving Post 1, Memphis, Tenn.: Cmdr Joe Darden instincts of James Huntley, of Post 8, stands with beauty contest winners. The POSTS IN ACTION in pageant and dinner were well publicized. Norwich, Vt. Huntley, who WW2 was stationed at Alamogordo AB, N.M., Post 201, Louisville, Ky., presented a where he played the organ at the chapel, check for $32,075 to the Council for recently learned of a request for a large Retarded Children of Jefferson County, representing the the bell for the new Hochmuth chapel at net proceeds from Phu Bai, South Vietnam. Huntley there- post's 17th Annual Child Welfare Car- upon gave a bell from his collection, one nival. The money helps defray the cost that weighs about 150 pounds and was of the Council for education, rehabilita- tion training of mentally cast in Providence, R.I., in 1872 and and retarded for many years was used in a church children. in that city. Huntley also loaned a 202- pound, silver cast bell for the WW2 du- ration to Alamogordo AB where it rang for all faiths for over three years. Post 1, New Bedford, Mass., dedicated this Honor Roll on lawn of City Hall in memory of 33 from area who died in The Legion's Hall of Flags in Washing- Vietnam. Placing a wreath are Cmdr R. W. ton, D.C., was again the site of the an- Cobb and Unit Pres. Mary Hodge. Post nual Armed Forces Chess Tournament promoted a concert, six billboards, a ball, and stamps to Mayor Edward Harrington.

Ray McKinley, famous as a member IN DISTRESS of the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the COMRADES Readers who can help these veterans are Will Bradley Orchestra and retired, now urged to do so. Usually a statement is needed The Magic Number is 101. was a guest of Post 12, Norwalk, Conn. in support of a VA claim. Notices are run only at the request of Ameri- Well into his second century is Sumnar He talked of his experiences and replied can Legion Service Officers representing Purvis, 101 -year-old to questions. claimants, using approved forms available only a Spanish-Ameri- from State Legion Service Officers. can War and vet, shown in the About 225 attended the banquet of WWl Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Va., 12th Pla- photo receiving his new membership Post 19, York, Neb., and one of them toon Cmdrs Class (Mar.-Aug. 1945)—Need in- card (fourth year) from Minnesota Dep't was Clyde Reed, a Spanish-American formation from Comrade Weidig (Stamford, Conn.?) and others who knew of injury to Cmdr Lyle Mikkelson (left) and Ely War vet. Edwin C. (Tex) Wright who threw a heavy box on his shoulder while on duty in woods Post 248 Cmdr Ronald Harri. Purvis in Virginia. Write to "CD 16, American Legion Magazine, 1345 Ave. of the Americas, became officially eligible for membership New York, N.Y. 10019." and for his VA pension only about four Aboard USS Henry T. Alien (7 Nov. 1942)— Need information from McGann (Chicago), years ago, when an old friend from out McHenry (Las Vegas), Smith (So. CaUf.), of the past appeared and verified the vet- CPO Price (Ann Arbor) and others who knew of James J. Kirley being injured dur- eran's service record. All his official ing a blackout while hoisting cargo to land- ing boats when a steel cable wire wrapped papers had been lost. Purvis is now con- around his legs and pulled him up in the air. fined to the Ely-Bloomenson Community In descending, his elbow hit deck and head hit steel hatch. Write to "CD 17. American Hospital and Nursing Care Addition. On Legion Magazine, 1345 Ave. of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019." another note. Post 248 has built a new 1st Div, 32nd Field Art'y, Bat B, Grafenwheir, Legion cafe, bar and lounge building at This Is Your Life, Chaplain Hinger. Germany (Aug. or Sept. 1950) —Need in- formation from Mayhallfro, Bat Cmdr Miller a cost of $200,000. and others who recall David A. Dillard being A "This Is Your Life" skit, honoring run over by a stolen jeep. Write "CD 18, Chaplain Theodore Hinger as the Out- American Legion Magazine, 1345 Ave. of the When the members of Post 12, Bangor, Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019." standing Citizen of the Year, was created Me,, prepared to dedicate a new flag pole 78th Div, 310th Inf, Hq Co (Jan. 1, 1919)—Need by Post 304, Jim Thorpe, Pa. Hinger information from anyone who remembers at the Bangor International Airport they Eddie Shelden incurring bleeding from was given a meritorious service citation. mouth during corps track meet. Particularly looked around for someone to sing the would like to hear from lieutenant in charge In the photo, 1. to rt., are Post Cmdr "Star-Spangled Banner." Who should be of track meet and sergeant in charge of Phillip Rodgers, Chaplain Hinger, and Provisional Co Casuals B. Write to "CD19, changing flights at the airport but Gor- American Legion Magazine, 1345 Ave. of the Sgt.-at-Arms William Schlecht. Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019." don MacRae. . . . Yes, he obliged. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 41 NEWS

ner at 6800 W. 10th St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46224.

Lyle Seymour, of Topeka, Kansas, Dep't Cmdr and a corn and wheat grower, profiled in the July-August 1969 maga- zine. Irrigation Age.

Judge Henry L. Stevens, Jr., of Warsaw, N.C., Past Nat'l Cmdr (1931-32), hon- ored by the North Carolina Dep't with a 50-year medallion and a citation for his Escorted by members of the Dep't of Puerto Rico, the Nat'l Cmdr of the Disabled many contributions to the state and na- American Veterans visited Puerto toured Hospital Rico and the new VA and other tion. Presentation was made by Dep't VA facilities. L to R are George Olivieri, Dep't Adjutant; Tomas Muriel, Service Cmdr Bud Thompson and Past Nat'l Rep.; Vincent Baraga, Ass't Ctr. Dir.; Dr. C. Jose Ferraioli, Ctr. Chief of Staff; VC Mrs. Raymond Neal; Raymond Neal, Nat'l Cmdr DAV; and Edward Christensen, R. C. Godwin, chairman of the Veterans Director of the Veterans Administration Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Affairs Committee for the House of Representatives in North Carolina. The Sisseton Blackhawks of Post 50, Drake (C.Z.), Eugene Leib (P.I.), Ro- South Dakota Dep't Drill Team and berto Gonzalez (P.R.), C.A.S.H. Hel- John E. McKelvey, of Electra, Texas, Color Guard champions, performed the seth (China); Sec' -Treasurer, Romeo J. re-appointed chairman of the Veterans half-time ceremonies of the Nat'l Foot- Routhier (C.Z.); Chaplain (North), Ft. Affairs Commission of Texas for the ball League game between the Baltimore Donal Forrester (Italy); Chaplain 12th consecutive time. Colts and the Minnesota Vikings at (South). Fr. Nilus F. McAndrews Minneapolis. Attired in authentic Civil (Mex.); Historian. Mary B. Howard Clayton (Firp) Miller, Dep't Adjutant War uniforms, the group performed to (Ga. -Honorary). of Wyoming, who suffered a heart attack Meredith Willson's "American Legion during the Nat'l Convention in Atlanta, March" in a special tribute to the 50th PEOPLE IN THE NEWS released from the hospital. He is now Anniversary. at his home; 207 Carroll, Cheyenne, Roscoe Turner, the Legion's world fa- Wyo. 82001. mous flier and chairman of the Nat'l Se- Legion Association Elections curity Commission's Aeronautics and Louis S. Space Committee, lost his famous Le- Silvey, 83, of Mattapan, Mass., Here are the results of Legion associa- a vice gion cap at the Nat'l Convention in At- chairman of the Legion's Nat'l tion elections at the recent National lanta. The cap has a great sentimental Distinguished Guests Committee, hon- Convention at Atlanta. ored with the presentation of a U.S. value as it bears a collection of medals, SOCIETY OF AMERICAN including the Aerial Roundup, wings, Army Recruiting Main Station Certifi- LEGION FOUNDERS and other awards won over 32 years. cate of Appreciation for his "'outstand- ing co-operation in support of the United President. Thomas W. Miller. Nev.; Roscoe is offering a substantial reward States Army Recruiting Mission." Silvey President-elect. S. L. Jerpbak, Minn : for the return of this irreplaceable cap, is recuperating from operation at VP's. Hugh Haugherty, Okla., Oscar v.'hich identifies his post as Post 4, In- an Brookline Hospital. Wenstrand, Iowa. J. Edward Radley. Ill . dianapolis. Persons having information

David L. Shillinglaw. Ill . Samuel R about the cap should write Roscoe Tur-

Todd. III.; Sec'y-Treasiirer, Joseph Ber- Francis E. Miner, of Rocky Hill, Conn., nard. Mo. a member of the Legion's Nat'l Law and Order Committee, elected chairman of NAT'L ASS'N OF American Legion Life Insurance the Governor's Committee on Employ- Month Ending Sept. 30, 1969 DEP'T HISTORIANS ment of the Handicapped. Benefits paid Jan. 1-Sept. 30, 1969 §1,157,634 President. Vincent J. Mattera. Miss.: Benefits paid since April 1958 7,816.789 Basic Units in force (number) 165,397 VP's. Milton D. Gillespie. N.H.. Mary New Applications approved since DEATHS B. Howard, Ga.. Thelma K. Bonner. Va.. Jan. 1, 1969 4,876 New Applications rejected 875 Emily T. Boyd, Mo., Anna T. Brown. Karl L. of American Legion Life Insurance is an official Wagner, Eugene. Ore., Past Calif.; Exec VP. Mrs. Minnie B. Hick- program of The American Legion, adopted by Nat'l Executive Committeeman (1956- man. D.C.; Sec'-Trecisurer. Mrs. Hazel the National Executive Committee, 1958. It is decreasing term insurance, issued on applica- 1965). Carlson, Minn.; Jndf^e Advocate. A. tion to paid-up members of The American Frank E. Monnin, N.Y.; Historian. Legion subject to approval based on health and employment .statement. Death benefits range John G. Dunn, 85. of Detroit. Mich.. Thomas V. Hull. Ind.: Chaplain. The fiom $11,500 (full unit up through age 29) in Past Nat'l Sgt-at-Arms (1939-40). Rev. Dan Collie. Conn.; Editor. Ameri- decreasing steps with age to termination of insurance at end of year in which 75th birth- can Legion Nat'l News, Ethel Ma- occurs. Quoted benefit includes 15 '"r day Daniel G. Conant, Sr., 75, of Rehoboth, tuschka. Wis. "bonus" in excess of contract amount. For calendar year 1969 the 15% "across the board" Del., Past Dep't Cmdr (1937-38). increase in benefits will continue to all partici- pants in the group insurance plan. Available in and FODPAL (FOREIGN OUTLYING half and full units at a flat rate of $12 or S24 a Cyril Henry Malone, 72. of Bristol, year on a calendar year basis, pro-rated during DEPARTMENTS and POSTS, THE N.H., Past Dep't Cmdr (1966-67). the first year at $1 or S2 a month for insurance AMERICAN LEGION) approved after January 1. Underwritten by two commercial life insurance companies. American President. Ralph A. Westerfield (P.R.); Emory L. Watkins, 57, of Orleans, Legion Insurance Trust Fund is managed by New VP's. Cooper Williams (Canada), Fred- trustee operating under the laws of Missouri. La., brother of Nat'l PR Director James No other insurance may use the full words erick J. DeYeso (France), H. S. Kuni- "American Legion." Administered by The C. Watkins, of a heart attack, stricken yuki (Hawaii). Carmine Palmiotti American Legion Insurance Department, P.O. while transporting food to victims of Box 5609. Chicago. Illlinois 60680. to which (Italy). Fred Soto (Me\.). Grandin A. write for more details. Hurricane Camille in Mississippi.

42 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 NEWS

Henry H. Taylor, 77, of Richmond, Va., 750th Eng Hvy Shop Co— (July) Joseph Loxa- N. Wilt (all 1969), Post 749, Knoxville, 111. vio, Rt. 1, Box 456, Pueblo, Colo. 81004 Arthur F. Meinken and Churchill T. Williams Past Dep't Cmdr (1926-27) and Past 753rd Rwy Shop Bn— (June) Ray Tittle, Rt. 1, (both 1969), Post 9, Oelwein, Iowa. Huron, Ohio 44839 Harry L. Ayres and Ray Nat'I Executive Committeeman (1927- Blan and Thomas 780th Eng Patrol Distr Co— (July) John Biondi, N. Burris and Glen W. Carlson and John W. 29). 705 Prospect, Buffalo, N.Y. 14213 Conrad (all 1969), Post 41, Keokuk, Iowa. 832nd Av Eng Bn (WW2)— (July) John Woj- George H. Argotsinger and Vernon C. Beas- dyla, 8729 S. Justine St., Chicago, 111. 60620 more and Edward P. Bigger and C. Harlan 835th Eng Bn, (July) Briggs Stanley Frank Laskey, 73, of Fargo, Av Co C (Korea)— Paul and Carl H. Dahn (all 1968), Post 109, Brennecke, 211 W. Main, Chanute, Kans. Lisbon, Iowa. N.D., Past Dep't Cmdr (1941-42). 1054th Eng Port Constr & Rep— (July) Norman Charles H. Dinsmore and Francis A. Dins- Hanson, P.O. Box 6786, Phoenix, Ariz. 85005 more and Hiram W. Esty and Norman Gallant 1896th Eng Av Bn— (June) Lester Sealey, 14 and George Gilman (all 1968), Post 62, West- High St., Natick, Mass. 01760 brook, Maine. NEW POSTS Dominic A. Bruno (1969), Post 90, Togus, NAVY Maine. The American Legion has recently Walter B. McClain Div (1969), Post 92, Brown- 6th Marine — (June) Harry Simes, 421 ville Junction, Maine. chartered the following new posts: Hampton Rd., King of Prussia, Pa. 19406 David J. Cronin (1968), Post 4, Haverhill, Capital City Post 250, Tallahassee, LST 308, LST 847— (July) H. H. Millman, 1301 Mass. Long St. E., Carson City, Nev. 89701 Edwin H. King and A. T. Rohlik and William Fla.; Tamarac West Post 265, Tamarac LST 999 (June) Nick Pratt, 2379 (WW2)— A. Rohlik (all 1969), Post 275, Seaforth, Minn. Wynona Dr., Marietta, Ga. 30060 Lewis West, Fla.; T. D. Taylor Post 27 , Cen- Adair and T. M. Lancaster and Ray 1 VB 10-FAW 7— (July) J. C. Knotter, Normandy Miller and Charles F. Strickel (all 1969), Post tral City, Ky,; French Settlement Post Pkwy, Morristown, N.J. 07960 264, Marceline, Mo. Benner ( July) N. Whitfield, USS (DD807)— C. Harry Anderson and Royce L. Glass and 372, French Settlement, La.; Franklin D. Box 53, Snow Hill. N.C. 28580 Joseph H. Zezek (all 1968), Post 9, Hemingford, Roosevelt VA Hospital Post 1867, Mont- USS Bunker Hill (CV 17, WW2)— (June) Dan Neb. LoRusso, 317 Main St., Medford, Mass. 02155 Andrew Keenan and Leopold Lavoie and rose, N.Y.; Annable-Lund Post 1868, USS Cascade (AD 16, 1951-55)— (July) Bob Franklin MacFarland and Eugene Miller and Croghan, 2343 Hampton, St. Louis, Mo. 63139 Bayport, N.Y., and Cedars of Lebanon Edwin Morrill (all 1969), Post 31, Penacook, USS Chicago (WWl)— (Apr.) John Lancaster, N.H. Post 200, Richmond, Va. 331 Greenwood Ave., Jenkintown, Pa. 19046 Joseph Purpura and Joseph Rabbone and USS Essex (CV 9 All Air Gps Aboard, & WW2) Alfred Rich and Salvatore Rosania (all 1967), —(June) William Philpott, 2709 Conestoga Post 191, Newark, N.J. Ave., Louisville, Ky. 40210 Frank H. Young (1965) and Michael J. Hene- Gen. H. Ernst (July) OUTFIT REUNIONS USS O. (AP 133)— John gan (1966) and Russell H. Meyer (1969), Post Broussard, 122 Gushing Ave., Kaplan, La. Reunion will be held in month indicated. 326, Newark, N.J. USS Gosselin (APD 126, 11-1-44 to 2-1-46, For particulars write person whose address is Louis Burbhardt and Christian Jensen, Sr. Crew)— (July) John Stetz, 320 3rd St., Down- given. and Michael Mithkewitz (all 1969), Post 478, ers Grove, 111. 60515 Notices accepted on official forms only. For Somerset, N.J. USS Lexington (CV 2)— (July) Walter Reed, form send stamped, addressed return envelope Edward Robinson, Jr. and Eugene Varricchlo 5410 Broadway, Oakland, Calif. 94618 to O. R. Form, American Legion Magazine, and Richard F. Walsh, Jr. and Louis N. Waters USS Oklahoma—(May) Edward Lutz, 673 Lind- 1345 Avenue oi the Americas, Yorlt, N.Y. and Harry Watson (all 1968), Post 4, Oyster New lev Rd., Glenside. Pa. 190.38 10019. Notices should be received least Bay, N.Y. at five USS Philadelphia (CL 41)— (July) Frank Am- months before scheduled reunion. No written Melba A. Bastain and James J. Blum and oroson, 93 Dunbar St., Somerset, N.J. 08873 letter necessary to get form. William D. Conklin and Fred H. Foltz and Ray- USS Wharton (AP 7)— (July) Roy Vehorn, Box Earliest submission favored when volume of mond S. Hatch (all 1968), Post 87, Dansville, 1148, Statesville, N.C. 28677 requests is too great to print all. N.Y. USS Wyman (DE 38)— (July) J- P. Tirpack, Michael C. Calleri and Samuel P. Calleri 1517 Paul Ave., Paulsboro. N.J. 08066 ARMY (both 1969), Post 205, Kenmore, N.Y. Harry A. Suber (1969), Post 1112, New York, 3rd Arm'd Div— (July) Paul Corrigan, 38 Ex- AIR N.Y. change St., Lynn, Mass. 01901 20th Aero Eqdn (1917-19)— (June) John Hum- William Bateman and Armand Chapadeau 4th Arm'd Div (July) Risden Fountain, 4414 F. Farrell — phrey, 933 Hamilton Blvd. Al, Peoria, 111. and Harry and John W. Farrell (all Volta PI., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007 20th Air Force— (July) Richard Keenan, 4640 1969), Post 1524, Newport, N.Y. 6th Arm'd Div (July) Edward Reed, P.O. Box — Reservoir Rd., Washington, Glenn S. Brougham (1968), Post 1788, La- 492, Louisville, Ky. 40201 D.C. 20007 65th Tp Carrier Sqdn— (July) Bud Hawkey, Fargeville, N.Y. 7th Div— (June) Louise Wise, Jr., 3001 Rich- Box 16, New Madison, Ohio 45346 Lee Hudson (1969), Post 44, Asheville, N.C. mond Ave., Mattoon, 111. 61938 381st Air Serv Sqdn (July) Joseph Bognar, Charles Machacek and Earl A. Nickeson and 7th Field Hosp (Europe, WW2)— (July) Lloyd — P.O. 2271, Beach, Fla. 33444 Walter Ramage and John Stremick (all 1968), Dahlheimer, Bethel, Ohio 45106 Box Delray 926th Sig Bn, TAC. & 322nd & 422nd Cos (Att. Post 98, Langdon, N.Dak. 15th Eng— (Apr.) John Towns, 981 Gladys Ave., Bernard Hendricks and John P. Olson and Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216 to AT)— (July) Russell Eyer, Box 202, Pal- myra, 111. 62674 L. B. Shapland and Melvin Walby (all 1969), 18th Eng Reg't (WWl)— (Jan.) Alanson Mc- Stalag Luft (Apr.) David Pollak, P.O. Post 115, Hettinger, N.Dak. Dermoth, 771 San Bernardino Ave., Pomona, 3, PCW— Box 15237, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 John O. Richardson (1969), Post 116, Grenora, Calif. 91767 N. Dak. 88th Sig Bn (SP)— (July) Harvey Nehmzow, MISCELLANEOUS Robert E. Bonnell and Joseph E. Custer and 1002 Alder La., Mount Prospect, 111. 60056 Anscel E. Reihing (all 1969), Post 334, Toledo, 89th Chem Mortar Bn— (July) Richard Mc- Mactan (Philippines Rescue Ship, 12-31-41)— Ohio. Lennand, 24 Dr., Coraopolis. Kenwood Pa. (July) Donald Cook, Box 476, Salmon, Idaho Charles V. Johnson (1969), Post 9, Salem, 94th Div.— (July) Roger Keith, 170 Hillberg NAAS New Iberia & VT 27— (July) Y. T. Tou- Ore. Ave., Brockton, Mass. 02401 lon, 108 W. Main St., New Iberia, La. 70560 Fred F. Pierce and Elmer Rucker and Ernest 96th Div— (July) Richard Klassen, 111 S. Hud- L. Scholl and Harold A. Soule (all 1969), Post son, Denver, Colo. 80222 51, Lebanon, Ore. 104th Eng, Co A (WWl)—(May) Archibald LIFE MEMBERSHIPS Francis J. Kerns and Charles J. Kilduff and Aronson, 125 Gates Ave., Montclair, N.J. 07042 William C. Kirk and F. Earl Kizer and Earl F. 151st Inf, Co D— (June) Virgil Adkins, Arling- The award of a life membership to a Legion- Klippel (all 1969), Post 64, Coatesville, Pa. ton, Ind. naire by his Post is a testimonial by those who Frank W. Bouey and J. F. Brantlingler and 151st Inf, Co K— (June) Arnold Wright, Box 8, know him best that he has served The Ameri- Dr. J. F. Buzzard and Elwood S. Clouse and Brooklyn, Ind. 46111 can Legion well. William Diamond (all 1969), Post 228, Altoona, 153rd Inf, Co K (Alaska, WW2)— (July) Harold Below are listed some of the previously un- Pa. Owens, 909 S.E. 2nd St., Wahiut Ridge, Ark. published life membership Post awards that Edward W. Buckles and John Burke and Jack 308th Inf—(May) Lionel Bendheim, 200 Cabrini have been reported to the editors. They are Clifton and Robert H. Devries and C. E. Dow Blvd., New York, N.Y. 10033 arranged by States or Departments. (all 1968), Post 18, Mitchell. S.Dak. 314th Inf (WW2 Inc.)— (July) Philip Polizotto, Homer J. Simmons (1966) and Harry A. 1720 154th St., Whitestone, N.Y. 11357 Joseph P. Hannan and Earle R. Hawley and Dempsey and Chester A. Tyler (both 1968), 350th AAA SH Bn— (July) Harold Grimm, 627 Joseph F. Holt and Harold A. Noble (all 1962), Post 88, White, S. Dak. Whistler Dr., Valley View, Rochester, Pa. Post 16, Stockton, Calif. Jay E. Harville (1966), Post 3, Kingsport, 352nd Ord Maint Co, AA (WW2)— (July) Dr. F. C. Bitterman and Roy Briggs and Ernest Tenn. Ray Koch, 161 N. Dearborn Ave., Kankakee, Gardner and Paul Jenner and Theophil Mehl- Ralph Bourn (1968), Post 35, Cambridge, Vt. 111. 60901 haff (all 1969), Post 22, Lodi, Calif. William S. Parker and Charles P. Powell, Sr. 415th Teleg Bn, RR Signal Corps (WWl)— Robert C. Coutu (1969), Post 44, Monrovia, and Hunter W. Wynne (all 1968), Post 25, New- (Apr.) Herman Burkhard, 2737 W. 87th, Calif. port News, Va. Evergreen Park, 111. 60642 John L. Grinnell (1969), Post 64, Santa Cruz, Guy B. Love (1969), Post 6, Stevens Point, 512th MP Bn— (June) George Mustin, 642 Calif. Wis. Semmes St.: Memphis, Tenn. 38111 John M. Payne and John A. Russell (both Harry Rick (1967), Post 315, Stoddard, Wis. 567th AAA AW Bn— (July) Floyd Shelton, 1905 1968), Post 456, San Francisco, Calif. Alber Baumann and Fred Fenner and Fred College St., Newberry, S.C. 29108 Emery Abbe and William I. Boutke and Peter Fleck and Arthur Griebling (all 1953), Post 406, 607th TD Bn— (July) Bill Daw, 5714 N. Wil- Zikowitch (all 1968), Post 40, East Windsor, Milwaukee, Wis. liams Ave., Portland, Ore. 97217 Conn. 643rd Mil Intel Det— (Feb.) Philip Freund, Arthur Kirsch and Wilfred L. Strickland Life Membershins are accepted for publica- 5342 N. Lydell Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. 53217 (both 1969), Post 267, Ormond Beach, Fla. tion only on an official form, which we provide. 691st Tank Dest Bn— (July) Angelo Consiglio, Gustav J. Rast (1969), Post 270, Port Orange, Reports received only from Commander, Ad- 104 S. Madison St., Rome, N.Y. 13440 Fla. jutant or Finance Officer of Post which 695th APU— (June) Rolland Jones, 109 S. Sum- Ivan A. Elliott and William J. Lichtenberger awarded the life membership. mit St., Flandreau, S.Dak. 57028 (both 1968) and Edward J. Lutz and Miles W. They may get form by sending stamped, self- 713 Rwy Oper Bn— (July) Orville Reynolds, Seitzinger (both 1969), Post 224, Carmi, 111. addressed return envelope to: 931 5th St., Union Beach, N.J. 07735 Clark Bear and James Granger and Joseph "L.M. Form, American Legion Magazine, 1345 732nd ROB— (July) Ralph Rogers, 6306 Shel- Hoffman and Maurice Jorgenson and Arthur Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y.," boume St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19111 Krisher (all 1968), Post 356, Chicago, 111. On a corner of the return envelope write the 741st Tank Bn— (July) Kenneth Powell, 707 W. Austin C. Courter and R. A. Moffett and number of names you wish to report. No writ- 2nd St., Pittsburg, Kans. 66762 Clyde Sherman and Curtis Stickell and Harold ten letter necessary to get forms. THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 43 WHO SAID THAT?

The trouble with peace negotiations

. . . before the fighting is over.

fatal. The WhrHAT PROMINENT American discussed peace be attended with consequences equally seldom resulting from other negotiations as follows? wishes of the people, present feelings, may not be "The enemy are beginning to play a game more reasonings than their policy and interest." And if dangerous than their efforts by arms, and which in accord with our true are try- they are not, then "to observe a proper line of con- threatens a fatal blow to . . . America." They (our true policy) and avoiding ing to "ensnare the people by specious allurements duct for promoting to (the people's feelings) will be a work of peace." offense Though the foe's terms fall far short of our aims, of great difficulty." " peace propositions that are short of what they "will be extremely flattering to minds that do (Enemy are spreading fast through the coun- not penetrate far into political consequences." we fought for) set . . . people of ability (should) The enemy's offer of peace on terms short of the try ... I think that counteract the impressions they may basic principles for which we have fought "will have to work to the minds of the people." a powerful effect upon the country, and if not com- make on So wrote George Washington to Congressman produce . . . disunion. bated . . . will serve at least to the John Banister from Valley Forge on April 21, 1778. "Men are naturally fond of peace . . . and the Revolution in people of America are pretty generally weary of the The British knew they had lost broadcasting offers of peace present war ... It must be our truest policy to the North, and were giving up her new independence strengthen the army and place it on a substantial based on America of affairs as a reward for an end to the Revolutionary War. footing . . . This will enable those at the head on the minds of the people and to consult the public honor and interest, notwith- They were working of the British winning standing the defection of some and the irresolution their war-weariness in hopes they had already lost on of others who may desire to compromise the dis- at the negotiations what battlefields. As Washington saw it, the game was pute. And if a treaty should be deemed expedient, the played appealing to the weakest characters, and (that) will put it in (the enemy's) power to insist by ." by trying to turn the people in general against their on better terms than they could otherwise expect . . more dangerous than their "Our situation will be truly delicate. To enter into leadership ... a "game a negotiation too hastily, or reject it altogether, may efforts by arms."

44 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 . . . .

This card and your good health qualify you for one of America's best insurance bargains.

As a Legionnaire, you can help protect your family's

well- being for as little as

7

Insurance Plan is still a better bargain, because your benefits have been increased again. Increased by 15% at all ages throughout 1970.

You still pay only $2.00 a month.

For just $24 a year you receive a full unit of protection for all of 1970. To apply, simply mail this enroll- ment card along with your check. If you are not accepted, your $24 will be promptly refunded. No persons age 70 or over (including those desiring a second half unit) will be accepted fornew insurance.

Amount of Insurance Important MAIL TO: Determined by Age At Death If you reside in New Yorl<, AMERICAN LEGION Basic Total Coverage LIFE INSURANCE PLAN, Age Full Unit During 1969 North Carolina, Ohio, Tex- Under30 $10,000 $11,500.00 P.O. BOX 5609, as, Wisconsin, Illinois, New 30-34 8,000 9,200.00 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 35-44 4,500 5,175.00 Jersey or Puerto Rico, do 60680 45-54 2,200 2,530.00 not use this form. Instead, OFFICIAL 55-59 1,200 1,380.00 AMERICAN 60-64 800 920.00 write to the address shown. LEGION 65-69 500 575.00 LIFE (Applications and benefits 70-74* 330 379.50 INSURANCE •Insurance terminateson the Istday vary slightly in some areas.) PLAN of January coinciding with or next following your 75th birthday.

ENROLLMENT CARD for YEARLY RENEWABLE TERM LIFE INSURANCE for MEMBERS of THE AMERICAN LEGION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT-ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS-CHECK MUST ACCOMPANY THIS ENROLLMENT CARD Full Name Birth Date Last First Middle Mo Day Year Permanent Residence Street No. City state Name of Beneficiary Relationship Example: Print "Helen Louise Jonesi' Not "Mrs. H. L. Jones '

Membership Card No. -Year . Post No. -State. I apply for a Full Unit of insurance at Annual Premium of $24.00 or a Half Unit at $12.00 The following representations shall form a basis for the Insurance Company's approval or rejection of this enrollment card:

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I represent that, to the best of my knowledge,.all statements and answers recorded on this enrollment card

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under the policy. I authorize any physician or other person who has attended or examined me, or who may attend or examine me, to disclose or to testify to any knowledge thus acquired.

Dated -, 19. -Signature of Applicant GMA 300- 1 6 469

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 45 —

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City^ ROTC ON CAMPUS: CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE (Continued from page 22) State Present Occupation Princeton University, Rutgers Univer- expertise for most other aspects of the Present St. John's University, St. Peter's program in his charge, but presumably Employer sity. No. Yrs. On Monthly College and Stevens Institute of Tech- had not acquired academic or other Present Job . -Salary $ Former No. Yrs. On nology. credentials for course lectures on such Occupation _ Former Job . We undertook to supply the ROTC things as China or Southeast Asia or unit with a qualified academic lecturer Latin America; or on ideologies; or on Fantastic Savings on NEW for a particular topic during each semes- international treaties and organization. ACCORDIONS Vz OFF ter and at the time when such a topic was The Enrichment Program enlisted co- 40 NEW MODELS...S-DAY FREE TRIAL regular " Jaetarrivedl Standard and Electronio scheduled in the sequence of regular operating teachers from the Accordions —Amplifiers! New ideas. faculty. On each of 14 campuses we pro- New styling, New features! Bi? ROTC class work. This would occur discounts— Buy direct from world's vided units with guest lecturers largest importer. Easy terms. Trade- three or four times during the semester ROTC ins. Write Free Co/or Catalogs! for and for such course topics as the ROTC who were among the most expert in their Accordion Corp. of America, Dept. A-IW E535 W. Belmont, Chicago, Illinois 60641 professor was not especially well quali- fields. On some of the campuses we had fied to teach. He, of course, had all the guests for as many as nine different HEARING AIDS

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THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 topics that otherwise would have been covered by the officer assigned to the unit. I'm afraid the ROTC students got something better than their non-ROTC classmates in some cases, for we were successful in bringing in off-campus spe- cialists of national repute. We did not get to the other half of the swap—bor- rowing the ROTC professors to strengthen some of the regular college courses.

In the first phase of the Plan we, both civilian and military personnel, looked ahead to the ROTC's class program for the year. We selected certain "hours" and topics when outside lecturers could be of good use. This "guest lecturer" idea is a standard procedure on all campuses and is an option wholly within the province of the course-teacher. On top of that, three conferences were held "Who's shouting 'Salk it to me'?" for all the ROTC officers. Two were one- THE AMERICAN y.EGIOM MACAZINF day conferences during the academic year to see how we were doing. The other program now serves 30 colleges and uni- are working in it represent a cross section was a two-day orientation conference at versities. Furthermore, it has been ac- of civiUan and military faculties con- the start of each new academic year. The cepted by the Armed Services in all re- cerned to preserve and enlarge the demo- response to this program has indeed been gions of continental United States (ex- cratic, academic and pre-professional gratifying, and was welcomed by the cepting Alaska). During the first semes- values of ROTC. military. The Command of the Sixth ter of 1969-70, it is reaching approxi- I wish to emphasize that the Plan Army area for the ROTC units in the mately 80 campuses on which ROTC makes no direct attempt to counter the eight states Western picked up our East- units are located and will grow to about New Left. It is concerned with the great ern experiment. There, with the assist- 120 during the second semester. majority of faculty and students who are ance of Claremont (Calif.) College for The program is financed entirely not by other commitment hostile to Men—acting as academic coordinator in through contributions from private (non- ROTC. the of manner N.Y.U. in the East—the government) sources. The people who It will take (Continued on page 48) FREE 1970 EMBLEM CATALOG

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THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 47 TWA 22 DAY VACATION IN ROTC ON CAMPUS: CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE (Continued from page 47)

LIMITED TO more such planning and coordination to AMERICAN work out a program whereby the ROTC LEGION MEIVIBERS officers can systematically be used to en- AND THEIR FAMILIES rich the regular college courses. They have much to offer, and we look forward

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. DEPT. for this advertisefnent. _ _ keeps working—and working better. The U.S. Government does not pay $1095 It presented as a public service in cooperation With The RELCO D 27 'XjV is DefMrtment of the Treasury and The Advertising Council. BOX 10839, HOUSTON. TEX. 77018 UP THE END 48 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 PROBLEMS WITH CREDIT INVESTIGATIONS bers collectively maintain files on 110 (Continued from page 11) million Americans. According to Hillel Black, in his book on credit buying, "Buy could decide what is "adverse," if you She spent Sept. 6 and 7, 1967, person- Now, Pay Later," this is "possibly send notices out to everyone whenever ally delivering it to the offices of Senators more information on more people than adverse info is recorded, that would in- and Representatives. On Feb. 28, 1968, has been collected by the FBI and the volve sending millions of letters, at great Rep. Clement J. Zablocki, of Milwaukee, CIA." Annually, ACBA members pro- cost, which neighbors and postal clerks co-sponsored a bill based on Mrs. Col- vide 98 million reports to some 400,000 would soon learn to recognize. In most lins' suggestions. The bill was killed but credit granters. cases, the person concerned would al- it has been reintroduced this year. ready know all about it anyway. Why Rep. Wright Patman, of Texas, offered EACH ACBA member is inde- tell a man that it is known that he was another bill prohibiting exchange of THOUGH pendent, they all have access to each arrested when he already knows and it credit information about an individual other's files and routinely exchange in- was already in the papers and court rec- without his written permission and mak- formation. More than 10.5 million ords? One bureau told the Senate that ing it possible for him to obtain his inter-bureau reports are made and ex- while it doesn't give reports to the Inter- credit record on request. At this writing, year. nal Revenue without a court order. In- changed each ternal Revenue and other agencies To protect themselves against law- should have little trouble in forcing in- suits, this notice appears on each report dividuals to produce their credit reports, by an ACBA member:

if everyone is to have a copy at home. "This information is furnished . . . Other credit bureaus do not think for the purpose of evaluating credit risks. government agencies should be barred It has been obtained from sources from using credit records. "Who the deemed reliable, the accuracy of which hell's side are we on, anyway?" asks this organization does not guarantee. Garretson. Thinking along the same line The inquirer has agreed to indemnify is Earle Harrison, president of the the reporting bureau for any damages Credit Bureaus of Cook County in Chi- arising from misuse of this informa- cago. He put it this way, "We must pro- tion . . . this report . . . must be held in tect the individual file, but by the same strict confidence, and must not be re- token we must be for law and order." vealed to the subject reported on." Senator Proxmire has little faith in The biggest independent inspection the ACBA guidelines. "The guidelines bureau in the nation is the Retail Credit are only recommendations. . . . No ade- Company, headquartered in Atlanta, quate means exist for the national trade Ga., which makes all types of credit association to enforce the guidelines. . . . and insurance checks. This little-known The guidelines do not cover firms en- company has offices in 1,800 North gaged in insurance or personnel investi- American cities, including Mexico City gations where some of the most serious and San Juan, Puerto Rico. It has files invasions of privacy have occurred." on 45 million persons and makes about A determined woman, Mrs. Rita B. "Mr. Dawson, our postman, has a bad 35 million reports a year for 82,000 Collins, of Greendale, Wis., a member of back!" customers. Its annual revenue has grown American Auxiliary Legion Cudworth THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE from $70,869,000 in 1959 to $148,599,- Post No. 23, is so much responsible for 000 last year. Senator Proxmire's bill that he says her only Proxmire's bill has come out of The 70-year-old firm began as the name should be on it. Her husband. Bill- committee. Credit Bureau of Atlanta. It now owns ings J. Collins, served as a field artillery- While Mrs. Collins sparked this legis- 63 bureaus, including those in Miami, man with the 32nd Division in WW2 and lation, many developments have fanned Montreal, Poughkeepsie and Albany, rose from private to first lieutenant. the flames. Congressional hearings on and is advancing $3.5 million to Credit privacy, automobile insurance and the Bureaus Inc., of Salem, Ore., for com- YEARS SOME ago a bank refused the proposed national data bank (an idea puterization of credit files in 43 bureaus Collinses a car loan without explana- dead for the time being), called attention in that area on which it has an option. tion. Mrs. Collins was unable to think of to the size of the credit bureaus, their All these bureaus are members of ACBA any reason why they were turned down. freedom from regulation and what is and have adopted its new guidelines. Later, she learned that a judgment said about them in books like Vance Retail Credit Company provides many against another "Bill" Collins had been Packard's "The Naked Society," Hillel services for its varied types of custo- added mistakenly to her husband's credit Black's "Buy Now, Pay Later" and mers. It has a pickup service for re- record. At the time, Mrs. Collins was a Myron Brenton's "The Privacy In- covering delinquent credit cards. It teacher and social worker studying for vaders." picked up 100,000 last year. This ac- her M.A. at the University of Wisconsin Few Americans know much about counts for only 13.9% of its burgeoning in Milwaukee and enjoyed credit as a credit bureaus, particularly about their business. The remainder, which is han- member of the Teachers Credit Union. size and scope. There are thousands of dled by 8,500 "inspectors" working out

She began to question friends and col- credit reporting agencies, from one-man of its 1,800 offices, breaks down as fol- leagues about their credit experiences. operations to huge companies. About lows: reports to life and health insur- She found that many had gone through 2,200 credit bureaus and 1,900 collec- ance companies, 28.4%; same to fire difficulties similar to hers. Mrs. Collins tion agencies are members of the Asso- and casualty companies (often with decided to do something about their ciated Credit Bureaus of America. This photos of the premises), 37.2%; per- common credit problems. is simply a trade association with head- sonnel investigations, 10.1%; investi- She drafted some proposed restric- quarters in Houston, Tex. These bureaus gation of insurance claims, 9.3%: mar- tions—chiefly against secrecy—then form a gigantic investigative network keting studies, including evaluation of added supporting arguments and took it that covers all of our 50 states, much of advertising effectiveness, 1.1%. all to Washington at her own expense. Europe and all of Canada. ACBA mem- (Continued on page 50) THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 49 —

PROBLEMS WITH CREDIT INVESTIGATIONS is no more than the Toonerville Trolley (Continued from page 49) of what is to come. Chiefly, Credit Data compiles only the Retail Credit claims all the major life information about their customers, most- account records of people with its mem- insurance companies as customers. It ly via computer to computer, to Credit ber banks and other firms, and isn't in- explains these have to evaluate the Data each month. terested in keeping records of long ago. "total picture" of each applicant and It was almost the universal opinion While it adds derogatory public infor- are interested in his duties, finances, at House and Senate hearings that Credit mation bankruptcies, lawsuits and so mode of living, habits, health, hazardous Data has policed itself well to protect — on Mr. Jordan said it didn't do so in sports and financial ability. For example, the reputations of the people it reports — states where courts do not make the a man involved with the Mafia or two on. In fact, Harry C. Jordan, the com- results of such things routinely avail- of three women is not the best of risks. pany's chief executive officer, said—and able. Credit Data does not keep records Somebody might kill him. Also, to ar- many agreed—that it had gone further of private snooping it's purely in credit rive at equitable automobile insurance than the Proxmire bill would require in — is not in insurance or personnel in- ratings, underwriters need to know "the many areas of public protection. But its and vestigations. age and ability of the drivers, their past computerization for instant access to the accident frequency and history and the private records of ever more millions Yet for all this care, lawmakers point condition and uses of the car." of Americans is still a monster needing out (and Jordan agreed) that harmful public control, several legislators noted. errors or half-truths could creep in. It MAKING INSURANCE and personnel The idea of a government national data was no more immune than the others to checkups under the name of Retail bank raised so many questions of showing you as a "no pay" customer

Credit is somewhat confusing. So much so that one Congressional investigator. Rep. Cornelius Gallagher, of New Jersey, charges that "to conduct personal, de- tailed investigations under such a name represents a clear invasion of privacy." The secrecy and accuracy of Retail Credit reports have been challenged by Senator Proxmire. "Their files," he says, "contain information on drinking, mari- tal discords, adulterous behavior, as well as a person's general reputation, habits and morals. A typical investigation takes 30 minutes, with much of the informa- tion coming from neighbors." Retail Credit contends its work is thorough and that nearly all of its personnel reports are favorable. Until last year its Manager's Manual contained this instruction: "Neither deny nor admit making a report. De- cline to give a categorical yes or no to any demand by caller that you tell him whether you have reported on him." This has been dropped from the manual. The "Why don't you drop out of school and take over manual distinguished between investi- General Motors now, wh lie you still know it all?" techniques for "high-grade intel- gating THE AMKKIC \N 1 EG ION MAGAZINE ligent businessmen" and low-grade, for- be- eign and ignorant types of people. invasion of privacy when first proposed in a case where you refused to pay sold poor merchandise- Credit Data Corp., started in Detroit that it has been put on ice. Yet here was cause you were any explanation that you in 1930, has files on 27 million persons Credit Data on its way to making the yet without didn't pay because the merchant didn't and boasts it is adding a half million same kind of thing in private hands, and deliver properly. yearly. It is the first credit bureau net- other corporations could do the same errors have been made work to be completely computerized. It thing, they noted. Some credit of names. James now has big IBM computers at Anaheim, Credit Data presents the key problem because of a confusion a Virginia newspaper Calif., and New York City, with satellites in its purest form, i.e.: the possibility of J. Kilpatrick. last year received a demand from at San Francisco, Bufi'alo and Detroit. personal harm from a private intelligence editor, for $7.05 said to be The firm makes some 50,000 reports a agency—no matter its own concern for a collection agency gasoline credit card. day which are briefer, cheaper and faster the protection of individuals—simply long overdue on his bill outstand- than most others. because of its immensity and capacity. The newsman had no such center in Bala- The average charge for a Credit Data Its ability to compile truth on millions ing. He phoned the data alac- Cynwyd, Pa., learned the bill was owed report is 10

saying "he was court-martialed out of the very expensive," says Credit Data's Mr. Zip .Phone. military." Actually, he had been found Jordan, "in the case of the computer innocent of all charges and returned to file, storage is very expensive and se- active duty until retiring. The company lective removal is very cheap." contends the error was corrected and is "The computer," says Professor Wes- fighting the case. tin, "offers a great deal more oppor- A businesswoman sued the same firm tunity to protect at a systems level if El! on the ground that she was refused in- you mean to do it. Access can be so surance because one of their reports guarded that the machine is almost in- The unique non-profit placement agency falsely termed her a lesbian. She was accessible to unauthorized persons, and . . . spec i lists in disabled personnel awarded $600,000 by a Federal Court guarded public audit systems can pro- 717 lit Ave. N.Y C. YUkon 6-0044 jury last summer. The judge thought this vide restraints on how even those with excessive and reduced it to $250,000. access to the system make use of it." The company is appealing the case. The British may be showing the way in a data surveillance bill introduced FALSE TEETH A JURY AND AN Appeals Court ruled recently in the House of Commons. It KLUTCH holds them tighter against two women who in 1963 proposes that everybody who has a com- KLUTCH forms a comfort cushion; holds dental plates so much firmer and snugger that one can eat sued the same company when they puter or data bank (except the armed and talk with greater comfort and security: in many were refused insurance on the basis of services and a few others) be required to cases almost as well as with natural teeth. Klutch lessens the constant fear of a dropping, rocking, a report containing accusations by neigh- register it with the Registrar of Restric- chafing plate. ... If your druggist doesn't have Klutch, don't waste money on substitutes, but send bors tive of wild parties and lesbianism. They Trading Agreements. us lOe and we will mail you a generous trial box. paid a man $400 to break into the credit "Any person about whom information KLUTCH CO.. Dept. 907M, ELk^llRA. N. Y. 14902 bureau office and steal the report. is stored in a data bank," says the meas- A Long Beach, Calif., insurance man ure, "shall receive from the operator not told the Senate subcommittee in June less than two months after his name is how the automobile insurance of his first programmed into the data bank, a family was cancelled when a private re- printout of all the data which relates port quoted two men across the street to him." He can demand later printouts as saying that his 17-year-old son "played on payment of a fee. ball If the in the street . . . raced his car in operator of a data bank does

take off . . . burned rubber, and drove not make corrections demanded by a in a reckless manner in a neighborhood person after receiving his printout, he 15-mile zone." The men also said the can appeal to the Registrar. An operator of a data bank "who causes or permits fight birth defects inaccurate personal data to be sup- plied ... as a result of which the person to whom the data refers suffers loss, shall be liable in damages to such person." If MARCH this proposal becomes law, he may also be fined and put away in one of Her Most Excellent Majesty's clinks for five DIMES years. the end

THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 1969 51 THE FIRST NON-STOP FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC 100 feet above the surface of the choppy (Continued from page 16) Atlantic, and the waves, instead of being beneath them, were somewhere to the most of the way. Brown switched on his Suddenly, to the fliers' horror, the right, over their shoulders. The Vimy electric lamp so that he could read his Vimy stalled. Its forward speed had was flying in an almost upside-down po- charts and compass. All of the other dropped below the minimum needed to sition. But now Alcock had orientation. fixed instruments in the cockpit had keep it up in the air. The plane hung Having regained his equilibrium, he cen- luminous dials that shone in the dark. motionless for a brief fraction of time, tralized the control lever and rudder and They observed no special dinner hour, then heeled over and went into a dive. opened up the throttles. The motors munching their sandwiches and drinking Brown noticed that the compass needle roared and the plane leveled ofl" with the their coffee at random times, although, was spinning wildly, indicating that the Vv/hitecaps almost washing the underside. curiously, neither one felt especially hun- Vimy was spiraling as it fell. Alcock. Alcock climbed back into the clouds, gry during the entire flight. Alcock ate working feverishly at the controls, had rise above the storm, but again shifted hoping to sandwiches at 7 : 30, using one hand while throttled down the engines and there was rain, ice and snow. Sometime the other gripped the control lever. into neutral, his eyes darting to one of during the brief night, the battery that the few functioning instruments on the heated their flying suits had failed, and MIDNIGHT CAME and the flight was panel, the altimeter. the numbing cold was stiffening their eight hours old. They had flown Three thousand feet. Alcock was des- limbs. 850 miles, nearly half the distance, and perately trying to centralize the controls. wings of the Vimy became en- were averaging 106 knots. They could The crusted with ice. Alcock felt his controls see the moon for short periods, and the getting harder and harder to manage. sight was unforgettable. Later, Brown Then, while they were flying at 8,800 wrote of his reactions to the sight in al- feet, became aware of a new most poetic language: Brown "The moon was radiating a misty glow emergency. over the semidarkness and tinging the "I discovered that the glass face of the showed cloud tips with variations of silver, gold gasoline overflow gauge, which fuel for and soft red. Whenever directly visible whether or not the supply of the motors was correct, had become ob- it threw the moving shadows of the Vickers-Vimy out to the clouds below. scured by clotted snow," he said. "To "An aura of unreality seemed to sur- guard against carburetor trouble, it was able to round us as we flew onward toward the essential that the pilot should be It was dawn and Ireland. The fantastic sur- read the gauge at any moment. the roundings impinged on my alert con- up to me, therefore, to clear away sciousness as something extravagantly snow from the glass." abnormal—the distorted ball of a moon, The only way to reach the gauge, the weird half-light, the monstrous which was fixed to one of the center sec- cloudshapes, the fog below and around tion struts, was to crawl out of the cock- us, the misty indefiniteness of space, the pit, kneel on the fuselage and chip away. changeless drone, drone, drone of the So Brown took off his gloves, unclasped ." his seat belt and carefully inched his motors. . . Brown's poetic reveries speedily van- way out. Clinging to the icy struts, he ished in the face of imminent peril. slowly chipped at the ice on the gauge 'What's the truth again? I keep forget- with the blade of a pocketknife. The At 3:10 a.m., while flying at 4,000 ting." as feet, the Vimy ran into the thickest mass wind and sleet tore at his face he of fog so far. Minutes later, rain came worked.

down, pelting the fliers in their open THK AMEIUCA.M LEtilOV M ACIAZI.MK Brown, leg cockpit, and with it violent turbulence INCREDiBi Y, Arthur game that tossed the big craft about like a but in his disoriented state he had lost and all. repeated this vital and kite on a breezy summer's day. With the all sense of what was central. Brown's dangerous chore six more times. rain came sharp, hard pellets of sleet sharp eyes tried to find something, any- The Vimy now had a heavy load of that struck like buckshot across the thing, in the pea soup outside the cock- ice and snow. How much longer could men's exposed faces. pit to give them a clue, but all he saw she bear up under the weight? The fliers A grim Alcock fought with the con- was the same opaqueness, the same knew they must find warmer air soon by trols to keep the plane upright, but the woolly cloud blanket whirling around or the plane would be forced down machine now began to perform "circus them. the increasing burden. tricks." as Brown later described the Two thousand feet. How far down did At 7 a.m., Alcock decided to head able had been frightening gyrations. It twisted, bucked the clouds extend? Would they be downward. Just before. Brown to the sun for a moment, and quivered. Lightning lit up the cloud to break through in time for Alcock able to catch with masses fitfully and eerily. Meanwhile, pull the plane out of its spin? Were the enough to take a reading an Abney thick storm clouds had cut off their clouds so low that they touched the spirit level and determine that they were vision completely. They couldn't see the ocean's face? "I made ready for the about 80 miles from the Irish coast. had tips of their own wings or even the front worst," Brown said later, "loosening my The Vimy nosed down. Alcock of their fuselage. Without being able to safety belt and preparing to save my no notion where the clouds would end. view the horizon, the sea or the sky to notes of the flight. All precautions would Above the ocean? On its surface? They orient themselves, the fliers lost their probably have been unavailing, however, had to take a chance. Since neither man sense of balance. Some key instruments for had we fallen into the sea. there now put much faith in the accuracy of on the panel had stopped functioning would have been small hope of sur- their altimeter after the night's buffeting, during the storm, thus Alcock had not vival." they loosened their safety belts and were if the plane hit the slightest idea how fast the plane was One thousand feet—500—300. ready to abandon ship its water. traveling or if it were flying level, bank- Suddenly, the pi ne burst out of ing or whatever. gray-black shroud. It was flying less than Luck was still a passenger. At 500

52 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE • D ECEMBER 1969 feet the Vimy burst out of the clouds Vimy's front began to tih downward and

; SELLS and the fliers, with surges of relief, saw the tail began to rise. Abruptly the plane ON the dull gray ocean. Alcock opened the came to a halt. It quivered, then buried SflL new lifetime. Golden Metal SIGHT! throttles and the plane leveled ofT. its nose while the tail reared upward. Social Security Plates in spare time for BIG FKOFITS. Millions waiting lo buy. It was 8 a.m. Alcock kept the Vimy The time was 8:40 a.m. It was jour- No investment or obligation whatsoever. SEND FOR FREE SAMPLE AND between 200 and 300 feet above the sur- ney's end at last and they had chosen COMPLETE SALES KIT NOW! face of the sea as both searched for signs for their landing space a rich, juicy, typi- RUSSELL PRODUCTS CO. P. O. BOX 286 AL-2 PULASKI. TENN. 38478 of land. Although neither felt hungry, cal Irish bog! they decided to eat breakfast. As Brown Neither man was hurt. They vaulted INTRODUCTORY OFFER was replacing the lid of the thermos, from the plane and Brown fired two PATRA PERFUME Sold at cost to bring this delicate new scent to Jack Alcock suddenly reached over, white Very pistol flares as a signal for ihe attention of the American public. grabbed him and pointed. Brown fol- help. A small group of men from the Retail value $4.50 for 'A oz. lowed his forefinger. Clifden military detachment raced down Our price $1.50 Surprise friends for Christmas Faintly outlined through the gray was from the wireless station. Agents wanted. a speck. And then another speck. "Anybody hurt?" someone called to IMPORT SALES Box 73 GREENSBORO, N. C. It was 8:15 a.m., June 15. They had them. reached Ireland. "No." "Where are you from?" I WANT EVERY READER off this Paper to have my big red THE SPECKS TURNED out to be the "America," replied Brown. islands of Eschal and Turbot. They Nobody believed him. Alcock EARLIANA TOMATO •'KING flew on and soon the mainland was laughed, identified himself and Brown, OF THE EARLIES" Big solid, scarlet fruit, disease clearly outlined. In another ten minutes, and for final proof showed them the resistant, heavy yielder. Ideal for mailbag from Newfoundland. Dumb- table or canning:. Send 15c for big they sighted Clifden's wireless station packet or 25c for 2 packets ETDf••^t,F and, two miles beyond, the village itself. founded, the men stared at each other, and copy of Seed and Nursery Catalog. R. H. SHUMWAY SEEDSMAN Alcock noted that he still had enough then at the fliers. Then, with shouts of Dept. 306, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 61101 gasoline to get them to London and they congratulations, they hustled the world's might have tried it had the weather been first nonstop Atlantic fliers to the offi- LEARN clearer. But there was no point pushing cers' mess where they were lionized. their luck. They circled the village, hunt- MEAT CUTTING n quickly in 8 short weeks at loledo ing for a place to set down. WAS ONLY the prelude to the over- 1 bright tulilre wuh security in vital I business. Hig pay. full-time Jobs— IT tlAVE A PROFITAIHI.E MARKET OF They field whelming reception the spotted a close to the radio world gave L YOUR OWN! Time payment plan avail, able. Diploma given. Job help. Thou- station, and with engines cut off", started them in the next few weeks. Every con- sanits of succesBful graduates. OUIt 45th YEAR! Sen.l now for hl^ new llluntrated .Tlog. No obllEallon. G I. Approved. a slow downward glide. The plane sank ceivable honor came their way—a huge NATIONAL SCHOOL OF MEAT CUTTING Dept. A-2.-,, Toledo. Ohio 4.3604 lower and lower and then, a few feet parade in London with hundreds of thou- from the ground, Alcock leveled ofl". sands lining the streets and cheering, re- The wheels touched and began to race ceptions at the highest levels and, of over the ground. Alcock held her course, award of the Lord Northcliffe steady; FLUSHES Brown began grinning widely. Suddenly, prize. UP to sewer or septic tank so softly that neither noticed at first, the At the brilliant Northclifi'e prize- no digging up floors. giving dinner a short time later, the menu WRITE , . . McPHERSON, INC. included poached eggs a la Alcock, sole a la Brown and spring chicken a la BOX 15133 TAMPA, FLA. 33614 Vickers-Vimy! Winston Churchill, hand- ing them their $50,000 check, brought the gathering to its feet with these words: Use "I really do not know what we should Christmas Seals. admire most in our guests—their au- dacity, their determination, their skill, It's a matter of their science, their Vickers-Vimy air- plane, their Rolls Royce engines or their life and breath. good fortunes. All these were necessary, and all of them contributed to their achievement, and to the event which brought us all together here to cheer the victors of the first nonstop Atlantic flight." Today, at London Airport, tens of thousands of passengers scurry in and out of the gleaming buildings each week. Not many have time to notice the two m

DILEMMA Inflation: ^Vhen you have money to burn SHOTS and can't afford to buy matches. PARTING Clark Jane Hint

WHAT'S COOKIN'? Remember Grandma's kitchen? The smells of baking and toasting? And how her house was filled with The smell of turkey roasting?

With the finest of gourmet delights Available today, One would think that our kitchens Would emit a mouth-watering bouquet!

But today when we enter our houses, Sniffing vainly for smells from the stove, We smell a room deodorant, Like "Exotic" or "Sandy Cove." The deodorant smells aren't unpleasant, Yet their scents I really deplore, As they give no hint of what's cookin' The nose knows no more. R. M. Walsh

THE WAY IT IS Bachelor: A fellow who has to fix only one breakfast. Lucille J. Goodyear

work home from the office "I've never seen anybody take as much weekend DOUBLE TIME as Al does." Since I took that course in speed reading I find I can come out ahead, THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE If I use the valuable time saved To reread whatever I read. Lynn David Fleet

STOP COUNTING CONSISTENT WOMAN Any woman who wouldn't mind having a selecting gifts for double chin probably has three. husband tried to be thoughtful when it came to A Franklin P. Jones always found them too large his wife, but thev never pleased her. She alwavs took them back or too small, too gaudv or too dull, and she something for this and exchanged them. So. instead of trying to give her gift certificate from a large last Christmas, he decided to give her a ?100 asked her what she got department store. The week after Christmas he with the certificate. "1 downtown and exchanged "Nothing yet." replied his wife. just went

it for four $25 certificates!" Dan Bennett

GIRL WITH ONE TALENT in an A married couple, returning from Europe, became interested ship. They found that attractive, red-cheeked Finnish girl on the decided to offer her she was coming to America to look for work, and employment. "Can you cook?" they asked. did the cookmg. "No," said the girl, "I can't cook. My mother always "Well," they said, "then can you do housework?" always did the "No," she said. "I don't know how. My oldest sister housework." „ children. "Well then we could let you take care of the sister always took care of the "No, I couldn't do that. My youngest children." "Well, you can do sewing." sewing. first day of Christmas my true "No," said the girl, "my aunt always did the "On the to me a tubular, light action, "What can you do?" cried the despairing couple. love gave can spincasting rod with a ball-bearing drive quite bright and cheerful as she volunteered, I The girl was shaft reel." reindeer!" milk , ^.„^ Henry E. Leabo THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE V • DECEMBER 1969 16 THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE Joy.

What do you expect from on eight year old*on Christmas?

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