OCR Text |
Show gion, as an individual, from taking either side in such a controversy, but the American Legion, as an organization, organiza-tion, should not do so." LEMUEL BOLLES,, National Adjutant. DUTY OF EX-SERVICE BOYS They Should Assist in Maintenance of Law and Order, Says National Adjutant. For the benefit of the comparatively few, isolated communities in which there is noticeable a tendency to give credence . to misinformation emanating chiefly from the ranks of alien agitators agita-tors and other enemies of 100 per cent Americanism, it is deemed advisable to refer to an editorial in the Chronicle, Chron-icle, Cincinnati, O., official organ of the Ohio Central Labor Council and "Local voice of the American Federation Federa-tion of Labor." In its issue of May 29, 1920, this publication quotes the preamble to the constitution of the American Legion, and adds: "The above Is the preamble to the constitution of the American Legion and to our minds it certainly sets forth a principle that every true American, whether he be a world war veteran or not, can consistently subscribe to. "Recently an international officer, returning re-turning from a state conference to Cincinnati gave vent to the expression that the members of his international union would not be allowed to join the American Legion. This to our mind is baby play. The attitude of the American Amer-ican Legion toward organized labor in the state of Ohio, and locally as well, has been clearly defined and has been approved of by the Central Labor council. It is claimed that at least 40 per cent of the boys who went to France and across the water were trade unionists. If this is true, then the proper thing for them to do would he to join the American Legion, and If ever the occasion arose when there would be a criticism of the labor movement, they could be of service by explaining our real purposes, thereby eliminating some of the antagonism to us which comes from misunderstanding misunderstand-ing ouly. There need be no fear by trade unionists of the American Legion. Le-gion. We believe they are right and that they are fair, especially their leaders, and as we said above, we would recommend to every trade unionist who is eligible to membership that he can best protect his interest and the wage earner by getting in line, and place himself where he properly belongs." In this connection, the following ex-rerpts ex-rerpts from a recent letter of Frank-'in Frank-'in D'OIIer, the Legion's national commander, com-mander, to Thomas Goldingay, state Adjutant of New Jersey, appear appropriate ap-propriate : "The American Legion has taken a very positive stand that, as an organization. organi-zation. It should never take any definite defi-nite part in any dispute between the employer and the employee, or between capital and labor. This policy should be adhtired to strictly by the national organization, state organizations and by the posts as well. "In any such controversy, the inter-pst inter-pst of the Legion is confined to that of the maintenance of law and order and without taking part on either side, in case the situation should arise where life and property are endangered, it Is the duty of a member of the Amerl'-nn Legion to perform hl.T full duty as a cltiren. according to his own conscience con-science and his own understn nding. Because of his military serv ice, the ex-service ex-service man has a very keen sense of his responsibility ns a citizen, and I am quite confident that be will always he alive to this responsibility. Ti.ere-f.irV. Ti.ere-f.irV. in case of a contingency as rbovp outlined, it is bis duty to assist in the maintenance of law and nrdi-r hy acting as an individual and offering ,;S pn-i.-i-.v; io the duly ennstituted an:;i:.ri!y for the maintenance of law nr.-l oi-le- "Thi-re is no:hing t- prey -nt the in- j i:v:d'.::i! members of the Ai::-'re :;n I.e- , |