The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-06-16

yesterdays program, anu 2Itef
seeing and hearing friendly greet
sings exchanged between the men,
bers, reflection ON the patriotism
Of the fraternity made itself plainly
felt. Any number of delegates who
had previously met would say:
Where Is John?
The father or brother or uncle Of
John would reply that John lost
his life in the World war" or ''he
was in the army of occupation" tor
that .'he was discharged from the
service, and was working for some
company or factory" Others would
tell Of their brothers or sons who
had enlisted in some branch of the
service since the armistice was
signed, and this would encourage
various conversations Of things that
happened between the Eagles, and
the ever-to- aforementioned Sam
mics" during the great conflict
overseas.
That is the reason why decided
to go back few years and give
brief resume Of the patriotism prac-
ticed by the Fraternal Order OF
Eagles, meaning of course, the ma
tional organization, whose wings
are spread from coast to coast. The
assertion that the Eagles were 100
per cent American. is only word
of truth. A chapter or book of
such truths could be written and
would not doubt make every true
American want to join the order.
The rank and file Of the member
ship of the Fraternal Order of
Eagles as citizens compare favor
ably with the standard of any SIM
liar organization in existence any
where and everywhere.
Many Eagles in Service.
The Eagles helped to win the
war; their help was very notice
able, because believe well founded
figures and records will bear me
out In my statement. America with
population Of about $1,000, 900
adults had in the service some $780,
600 boys in khaki. There are
y great many fraternal organizations,
however, the leading societies num-
bering about twenty which can
be used as basis of comparison.
Six million divided by the 20 fra
ternities average 10000 for each. As
a matter OF fact, the Eagles had
more than $4,000 service men en-
rolled. The membership at that
time was about five hundred thou
sand, therefore between ten and
eleven per cent OF the orders
strength was enrolled. Very few in
filling out the Questionnaires asked
exemption. Young men who have
Joined the ranks OF the F. o. Z.
since the signing of the armistice
when called upon to say few
words after being initiated have
said that there were many Eagles
I In every camp or 'outfft" that they
I were in, or were transferred to, and
that is the reason they had q desire
4 to seek membership.
Gave Freely Of Funds.
The Eagles gave, outright, to the
bene1ciaries and dependents Of the
$50 members who died In service,
the sum Of $1,250,0O0, which was
taken from the patriotic fund COL
lected from the members who we're,
not In the service at the rate of 10
cents per member per month. They
took no dues or assessments from
their members who were in the
army or the navy. They. acoom-
plished that financial task, and
obligated expense without putting
on . drive for cash from the gem
eral public, which was burdened
with plenty ofother charitable mat
Y ters to be taken care of. They ask
no charity-they grant II. They 60
on the broad theory, that II they
can Be self sustaining, they will
have the confidence oflthe people.
Backed President
The. Fraternal Order of Eagles
have shown that they so loved their
/ liberty that they are only too glad
to fight for II. One of the first
resolutions passed by the Eagles
alter D state OF war with Germany
was proclaimed by President Will
son. embodied. disloyalty on. the
part Of . member unless he backed
| The president to the very limit. Be-
sides giving men to fight for
democracy. the Eagles spent mil
li6ns Tor Liberty bonds, war saw
sjles and thrift stamps. They con-
tf1hutsd gloriously TO the Red
Croee. the Salvation army, and all