The Key West Citizen

Brooker Credits Legion With Initial Force To Insist U.S. Be Neutral
Voice of the 1,000,000 members in 11,650 posts of The American Legion "was one of the first and most potent advocating a position of neutrality in the present European war", William C. Brooker, Tampa, commander of the Florida department of the Legion, declared here last night.

Commander Brooker's talk was scheduled to be given at Colonial park, Duval street, but was transferred to the Whitehead street home of Arthur Sawyer Post No. 28 when a sprinkle of rain and generally threatening skies dispersed a number of those assembled there.

Before a gathering of service officers and men, former servicemen and civic officials, Commander Brooker was principal speaker on a short program at the legion home. He was introduced by Dr. A. M. Morgan, master of ceremonies, after an address of welcome by Mayor Willard M. Albury.

Others who made short talks were Commander G. B. Hoey, U. S. N., port director of the seventh naval district, who appeared in behalf of Capt. Walter F. Jacobs, U. S. N., chief of staff of the district; Lieut. Col. James B. MacMullen, U. S. A., commandant of the Key West coast defenses, and State Representative Bernie C. Papy.

Commander Brooker remained overnight and left at 11 a. m. today for Miami where this evening he is scheduled to make an official visit to Poinciana Post, the organization combining the
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COMDR. BROOKER
SPOKE LAST NIGHT

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...women of South Florida eligible to join the American Legion.

In his preliminary remarks, Commander Brooker outlined the pertinent facts of the Legion organization, stressing the fact it is a non-sectarian and non-political group of world war veterans; traced the origin and history of the veteran organization, and explained such principles as law and order, safety campaign and child welfare activities.

"From the beginning, and in the face of organized pacifists of unreasoning or radical tendencies, the American Legion has sought to increase the strength and efficiency of our national defense forces". Commander Brooker continued. "While others talked of paper pacts and disarmaments the American Legion advocated preparedness not only for national defense and security, but as a means of insuring our peace.

"We believed, and still believe, that the nation best able to defend itself against foreign aggression is least likely to have to do so. And our sincerity in saying that our position was taken in the interest of promoting peace was proven by the fact that ours was one of the first and most potent voices advocating a position of neutrality in the present European war.

"So for these reasons among others we have grown in the confidence and respect of our people.

"And it will be remembered that the American Legion was first in pointing to the existence and danger of Communists and other subversive groups, having as their ultimate objective the overthrow of our constitutional form of government.

"For many years we were called red baiters'. But the investigations and disclosures of the Dies committee, created largely at the instance of the American Legion, have convinced the people that we were not merely crying wolf when there was no wolf."

There were a number of other service officers and public officials in the group that heard Commander Brooker. This included Lieut. Commander A. P. Storrs, III, commanding officer of VP-53, naval patrol force operating here; Council President William A. Freeman, County Commission Chairman Carl Bervaldi and Sheriff Karl O. Thompson.

After the speaking program, the Legionnaires and their guests enjoyed a floor show put on through courtesy of the Club Cayo Hueso and the Cabana club, and were served with sandwiches and refreshments.