Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-19
MOLINE SOCIETY
ATTACKS HYPHEN
Swedish American Republican Organ
iZation Decides TO Change
Its Name.
ANNUAL MEETING is HELD
John Ericsson League of Illinois Rec
commended as New Title for State
Organization.

Delegates from the Swedish Aneri-
can club of Moline will go to the state
convention at Princeton March 9 in
structed 10 support resolutions for
elimination of the hyphen from name
of the organization. J. B. Oakleaf, aft
err pointing out evil of the hyphenated
Americanism at the annual meeting of
the Moline club in Manufacturers no.
tel last evening. made motion TO this
effect and sentiment was unanimously
in favor of the change in name.
Last evenings session brought to-
gether a number of prominent repub-
Hcans. On conclusion of the dinner
organization of the club took place
with reelection of officers who served
during the past year. They are:
Presidential R. Carlson.
Secretary-N f. Munson.
Treasurer-Emil Johnson.
A committee of f1ve-J. B. Oakleaf,
John Shallene, George W. Johnson, DR..
Louis Ostrom and Grant Hultberg-
was named to select delegates to the
state meeting. Chairman Oakleaf an
nounced that the names would be
ready for announcement Tuesday Of
next week.
Naming of % vice presidents, one
from each precinct, was left to the ex-
ecutive committee composed of Off
GERS of the club and F. ]. Landee, n.
larson. Emil Coleman and Charles
Brumstrom.
Those selected by the president to
serve on the finance committee are G.
". Johnson, John Sundine and Will
Shallene.
Principal speaker of the evening was
DIR. c. W Foss of this city.
Among the problems which the re-
publican party will have to settle if
returned to power is that concerning
the Philippine question, declared DR..
Foss, who aroused the fire of patriot
ism among his hearers in his talk on
THE Republican Party"
Eighteen years ago." said the speak
er, there was a murderous war at our
doors. 1t precipitated the Spanish
American war, and when peace was
restored the Philippines fell into our
hands The United States then turned
around and paid s20,00OO0O to Spain
for the acquisition. 1t is a crime to
turn these people loose on their own
resources at this time.
Holds They Are Unfit.
They are yet unfit to regulate theil
own administration. The republicans
will have to repeal the law which may
place the Filipinos in their own power
and educate them a great deal more
before they will be competent to take
care of themselves. The United States
cannot afford to give up the Philip
that territory will play an important
part in serving as a standing ground
for this country in event the United
States is called on to settle differences
in the far east That the United States
the greatest power in the world, viii
be arbitrator in settlement of questions
of the far east there can be no doubt.
In America are the best people OF
the world. The best elements of Eu-
rope are amalgamated here and it is
important that we place at the head OF
this country the republican party
whose past record has shown that it is
capable Of handling great problems
successfully. The republican party Is
entitled TO support Of the American
people and indications are 1916 will be
d grand republican year"
In pointing out evil Of hyphenatet
Americanism, J. B. Oakleaf said ir
part:
There is no such thing as Swedish
Americanism, and l think it is abou
time to eliminate the hyphen. I was
born in America, yet l am proud to &C
knowledge the land where my parents
were born. One never hears Of Eng
lish-Americans, of Scottish-American
only Swedish-Americans, Belgian
Americans and COMMUNICATIONS.
recommend that the name of this or
ganization be changed to John Ericc
son Republican League Of Illinois anC
that the delegates TO Princeton be in
structed TO support resolutions fol
elimination of the hyphen
Under False C0l0rs.
why sail under false colors? Thsr,
is no more loyal American than thc
Swede It is natural for him to b.
an American and so why put lie OF
every naturalized American"
George W. Johnson, F. j. Landee ant
DR.. Foss shared in the opinion ex
pressed by Mr.. Oakleaf. Dr. Foss de
clared that there has never been an,