The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1920-10-16
RAFTIS REPORTS
LEGION MEETING
TO KEEP FREE FROM POLITICS
Is FUTURE SLOGAN OF
AMERICAN LEGION
Federal Four Fold Bonus Bill.
Exclusion of Japanese,
Also Favored

ne second annual convention OI
the American Legion held in Cleve-
land, proved a most interesting and
successful gathering.
There were brought before the con-
vention certain questions which had
to be decided once and for all, and
upon the correct decision rested in
large measure the future success and
influence of this body of men. John
T. Raftis as delegate for the 5th dis
trict of Washington makes the fol-
lowing report;
perhaps the most important
question which confronted the
Legion was whether or not, as an
organization, it should take any ac-
tive part in the political struggle now
before the country. The body went
on record as absolutely opposed to
drawing the American Legion into
partisan politics
another topic which was the sub
ject of heated discussion was the
matter of the position taken by the
American Legion regarding the con-
troversy between capital and labor.
The charge has repeatedly been made
that the American Legion was oppos-
ed to organized labor and was being
used in the interest of capital. This
idea was condemned and by unani-
nous resolution the body went on
record as being absolutely neutral on
all questions and controversies be-
tween capital and labor.
"A resolution introduced by the
delegation from California asking the
legion to indorse a movement for
restriction of Japanese immigration
was followed by one of the most
lively discussions during the entire
convention. The delegation from New
York opposed the resolution on the
ground that the convention did not
possess sufficient information, and
that the matter should be held over
another year so that the condition
could be investigated The tide of
of the resolution when Colonel john
son of South Carolina took the floor
and replied to the opposition from
New York, and, in a speech seldom
surpassed in eloquence, brought forth
cheer after cheer from the convention
and audience in the galleries in IA
vor of the resolution and the result
was that New York withdrew its
opposition and the convention went
on record favoring the abolition OF
the gentleman's agreement between
Japan and the United States, and
doing away with the so-called pic
ture brides, and restricting further
immigration to the United States,
and urging Congress to take imme-
date steps in this direction.
"The question of a woman's or
ganization to be connected with the
American Legion was the center of
much interest and discussion. In the
east there has grown up an organl-
cation known as the Service Star
Legion, including all persons who
we're entitled to display a service flag
during the war. At the convention
last year in Minneapolis the Ameri-
can Legion recognized the Women's
Auxiliary to the American Legion,
which included only the next of kin
to those belonging to the American
Legion. The Service Star Legion
made a determined effort to secure
recognition from the Legion, and the
matter was finally disposed of by a
resolution confirming the previous
decision of the American Legion and
recommending that these various or
CARNATIONS get together and estab-
lish solution satisfactory to them
selves.
"The convention went on record as
strongly in favor of the federal bonus
bill known as the Four-Fold compen-
sation act, and urging the senate to
push this at the next session of con-
gress. The question of the treat
ment of the wounded soldiers was al
80 discussed and recommendations
were made with view of giving
them better and more adequate
treatment. The convention went on
record in favor of better system of
preparedness on peace stand basis.
The Shirley poppy, upon a resolu-
ton from the state of Washington,
was adopted as the Legion flower,
and it's members were urged to wear
il on Memorial and Armistice Day.
If the real flower could not be secured
it was recommended that artificial
flowers be used instead. 1t was also
decided to erect memorial at Cen