Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-08-01
THE LEGION

If was inevitable that the veterans of the World War
should form a permanent organization aongsthe lines of the
Grand Army of the Republic that has held the veterans OF the
Civil War together for so many happy years. While seVerai
organizations of this sort have been launched there Is no DOUBT
that eventually all will Join in one great body founded on last
ing principles that will carry out the high Ideals OF the great
mass of soldiers, sailors and marines.
The organization that apparently has the support OF the
greatest number of those interested along this line IS the
American Legion, which was started in Paris March 10, 10 ~
1919, when a thousand officers and men, delegates from all
the units of the American Expeditionary Force, assembled ana
started the wheels in motion. The movement SO ausplclously
begun at that time was givenfresh impetus at a great meetm8
held at st. Louis in May.
The Legion is made up Of state branches and these are
composed of local posts. Since the movement was started
only a few months ago there are now over 1000 posts 1uhy
organized and the headquarters in New York is swamped
with applications for charters. Already over 100000 men are
enrolled.
With every indication that the American Legion is to be-
come THE organization of the veterans of the World War, it, is
altogether fitting that Perth Amboy should take steps to form
a post in this city. A meeting for that purpose is to be held In
the Dana Building, the home of the Army and Navy Club, to-
night when leaders in the movement will explain the object
and workings of the Legion.
Perth Amboy played no small part in the war that has
Just closed. It is estimated that there are at least 700 veter-
ans here, or will be when all the boys are homo. The local
boys served in all branches of the service, but as all branches
are eligible for membership in the Legion there Is no reason
why such an organization should not be enthusiastically re-
ceived.
We are sure that the people of Perth Amboy will back the
movement to the limit and with the War Camp Community
Service as a nucleus every assistance possible will be rendered.
The American Legion will be all the more enthusiastic
ally supported because of it's freedom from all partisanship and
propaganda features. Such an organization is more than well
come right now because there is reason to believe that pohti-
clans are already laying their pipes to control the soldier
vote. With the boys banded together in such an organization
as the American Legion promises to be, they will be placed on
their guard and will not permit their patriotism to be ex-
plotted.
Perth Amboy veterans are upholding the reputation Of the
city in taking steps thus early to organize a post. With the
right kind of agitation and proper support it ought to be pos
sible to have a permanent headquarters with all the convent
ences Of club life. The idea has already been talked of in the
Council of Defense and all that is needed, apparently, is the
right kind of an organization. eses
1t is to be hoped that every boy who served with the col
ors during the time the United States was in the war and who
has an honorable record, will get into the American Legion and
help make it the successful organization that it promises to be.
1t is not a military body and all ranks are abolished so far as
the Legion is concerned, every man standing merely as a
private. Under such conditions there can be no hesitancy on
the part of anyone who wore the uniform becoming a member.