The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1919-11-15
EXPLAINED FALSE REPORTS.
Meeting Held at City Hall Thursday
Night Brought Good Results.

An unfortunate circulation OF rum
ors OF opposition between the local
post OF the American Legion and the
Red Cross caused the cooler heads
OF the community TO arrange for a
meeting OF the two at the council
chambers of the city hall last Thurs
day evening so that the exact truth
OF what was and what was not said
by the two sides might be brought
out.
There was a large attendance OF
both organizations present and both
sides went away with clearer un-
Outstanding and better appreciation OF
each other. The credit for the calling
OF this meeting must go to NJ. +,
Richards who started the move.
M II. Moriarty was chosen to pre-
side. In accepting the position Mr.
Moriarty spoke at length upon the
work OF the Red Cross and OF the SOL
der boys. He emphasized the neces-
sity for an understanding and for
harmony between the two that the
aims OF America may be attained. He
stated that he had heard everything
that was said ana 10 his personal
knowledge the original sayings were
expanded upon until they had lost
the harmless and constructively criti-
nol fr. xuhfah M
tered and had become laden with
spite and calumny.
He then called upon Captain A. l..
Burridge. commander OF the Louis
Bowman Post. against whom the most
OF the criticism was lodged, and ask
eG that he tell the people assembled
what was really said and the spirit
in which II was said.
Mr. Burridge explained the organi-
zat.on and purposes OF the American
legion. Briefly, the American Leg
Ion Is organized for the purpose OF
continuing in civil life the companion
ships made IN the army with a view
TO perpetuating American patriotism
and protecting American institutions
Mr.. Burridge told OF the experience
es cf the soldiers in France; how the
boys, as they fraternized In that
strange land and read in their home
papers the news OF the stupendous
sacrifices that were being made by
the people at home; how their moth
crs, sisters and sweethearts had been
working and their fathers and broth
ers giving, they began TO count up the
returns they were getting and how.
In the minds OF the soldiers there
came feeling that their folks at
home were being mlslead and misin-.
formed; how this feeling lead to
grumble and how. now that the men
were back home. they were telling the
facts. not to discredit what had been
done, but 10 inform the givers and
workers that change might be
brought about and more return be
got for the money contributed. He
stated that tie Legion was not buck
Ing" the Red Cross. That the Legion
had never been asked to assist the
Red Cross IN fits drive and that n
some official Of the Red Cross would
appear before the Legion he felt
sure that the aid and support OF the
boys could be enlisted lie denied
that he had made statements Of which
he was accused.
st this point Mrs Levy. Red
Cross nurse from Chicago. who IA su.
peryising civilian relief IN this coun-
~, interrupted Mr.. Burridge and very
positively asserted that be made dis
paraging remarks OF the Red Cross.
Mr. Burridge asked what The remarks
we're and she repeated statements
hat we're easily susceptible OF double
interpretations. AIR. Burridge denied
D0sltively .1ving in mind the infer.
,ne which Mrs Levy placed upon
iis rema sks-they were made in
between Mr. Burridge
md Mrs. Levy and by her reported a
Ter borsc NJ Burridgc sought ,o
.onyince Mrs. Levy that she had
ither Misunderstood or niiSlr'crpret-
4 us remark. but she was obduratq
md would hear OF no Interpretation
'ut her own, at which point Mr.. Bur
ldeo refused TO argue ;rd let the
natter rect where Il was
II vac easily apparent tha, the
Whole affair was "a mountain made
ut Of mole hill" and those presert
no ;ook rart in the discussion arc
hat ala 50 in a conciliatory s1rita
IA A. ~... ..~.ntott.. .~..n - ~.