Another G. A. R.?

For a generation after the Civil War the Grand Army of the Republic was an incubus on national politics. It waved the "bloody shirt" from every crossroads stump. It packed Congress with its mem bers. It put Generals Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Harrison into the White House. It dictated legislation on pensions until the public cried loudly out in protest. Only with the coming of the 20th Century did Death down the G. A. R. as a political influence.

Last week the American Legion of New York State met at Syracuse. Honor guest was eloquent Major General James Guthrie Harbord, A. E. F. Chief of Staff, who upon his retirement from the Army became board chairman of Radio Corp. of America. In his address to the legionnaires General Harbord seemed to be pointing them along the same path the G. A. R. once trod. Orated he:

"The average American these days is not greatly interested in the events or personages of the War. ... A large number of honest but misguided people be lieve it possible to bring about that permanent peace which has been the dream of all ages but which the Prince of Peace himself failed to achieve 2,000 years ago. . . .

"There is in war itself something be yond mere logic and above cold reason. There is something in war-made values above social comfort, above ease, and even above religion. It is the mysterious power war gives to life of rising above mere life.

"You are destined, in spite of the nonpartisan, non-political character of the American Legion, to play a paramount role in American politics for more than a generation and within the next 15 years to dominate both the State and Federal Governments, have a majority in both houses of Congress and have one of your number in the presidential chair."

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