Pinnings

Bristling with American Legion pins. William Edward ("Bill") Easterwood Jr., big breezy Texan and vice-commander of the Legion, was in Rome last week. He called on Italy's King Victor Emanuel and Premier Benito Mussolini, afterwards confided to the Press: "Premier Mussolini asked for the pin I wore on my hat and I pinned it on his lapel. I offered the King the one I had on my coat and pinned it on his lapel. He said he was very proud to wear it." Thus Vice-Commander Eas terwood thought he had made Italy's King and Premier honorary members of the American Legion.

As fast as cable wires could hum. Legion National Commander Louis Arthur Johnson rebuked Easterwood: "Constitution prohibits honorary memberships in American Legion. Please govern yourself accordingly." Undaunted, Easterwood invited King Victor Emanuel to address the Legion's October convention in Chicago by radio, told him the Legion's 1936 convention would probably be held in Rome. The King gave Easterwood his warm, rabbit-toothed smile. Said Legion ary Easterwood of his new friends: "They both are war veterans of a country allied with us in the World War, and they have a right to wear the buttons."

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