New-York tribune., 1920-10-27
Legion Calls
On Wilson to
Dismiss Post
Letter. Taken to White House
by Committee of Veterans.
DenOunces Obstruction of
Alien Deportation Law
Menace to Public Shown
Principle Of National I'M
portance Involved by Re-
tanning Labor Assistant

Pro--, The Triburcs Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. ga commit
tee representing the American Legion
presented at the White House to-day
a demand that Pres dent Wilson dis
miss Louis 7. Post, Assistant Secretary
of Labor, from Office because Of MS
part in Constructing tho enforcement
of alien deportation laws
In a letter to the President, which
Secretary Tumulty assured the COM
nittce would be delivered promptly TO
Mr.. Wilson, the Legionnalres recalled
the conclusion OF the executive COM
mittee Of their organization that Posts
continuation in Office constitutes q
serious menace to public security" and
reported to the President the unani-
nous verdict of the Cleveland conven-
tion that Post was an u lworthy public
servant.
Legion Report With Letter
The letter was accompanied by a
copy OF the report of the Legion COM
rittee which investigated Posts con-
duct in Office. The report brought out
that out of 2.115 deportation cases
brought before Post not one person was
banished.
Secretary Tumulty promised an early
reply from the President. The letter
said in part:
you are familiar with the purposes
Of the American Legion as set forth
in our preamble and you can therefore
readily appreciate the deep concern
with which our organization, compris-
ing an actual mem bership of over one
and half millions Of eX-service men,
regards the lamentablc situation
brought about by Mr.. Posts evident
opposition to the enforcement Of law
designed to safeguard our government.
"Mr. Post has endeavored to justify
his actions by the assertion that the
nation, as well as the American Legion,
is suffering from groundless fears aris-
ing out of what he calls psyche
logical condition. 1t is respectfully
submitted, in answer thereto, that the
evidence referred to in the attached
report shows that in some instances
at least Mr. Post released some 'psy-
Geological victims who had been con-
victed of seditious activities previous
to the deportati proceedings and, in
another instance convicted of treason
able actions subsequent TO being freed
by Mr.. Post
I've have heard the idea advanced,
in defense of Mr.. Posts refusal to
make any deportations, that many in
nocent aliens had been unjustly de-
ported previous to his assumption of
authority. While we do not believe
that any innocent aliens have actually
been deported, nevertheless, even
though this may possibly have hap
pened, it cannot justify Mr. Posts &C
tions in liberating within our midst
dangerous aliens and thereby encourage
ing them in their pernicious activities.
at Is further claimed by Mr.. Post
that some of the aliens Nave been lille
gally proceeded against. We submit
that it is passing strange for Mr.. Post
to invoke for the protection of radical
aliens the technicalities of the law
which law these same aliens not only
do not subscribe to, but rather seek to
destroy.
"We feel that this is matter which
transcends the sphere Of political
question and involves a principle Of
national Importance, namely, whether
public servant, in position of great
trust and responsibility, is to be per-
mltted to allow his own personal sem
timents and tendencies to nulify the
plain mandates of the law which he is
sworn tQ enforce.
"We Believe that the record Of Mr.
Posts activities clearly demonstrate
his utter unttness and his fragrant dis
regard for the duties devolving upon
him in connection with the depol ia
tion of alien anarchists; and fully
supports the conclusion of our national
executive committee that his continu-
alton in office constitutes a serious
menace to public security.'
''In view of the foregoing, we re-
spectfully urge you as the final au-
thority and the only one to whom we
can appeal at this time to forthwith
dismiss Louis F. Post from his nigh
h1ic ffiro