Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-07-28
DUTY OF Ex-SERvlCE BOYS
They Should Assist in Maintenance o.
Law and Order, Says National
Adjutant

For the benefit Of the comparatively
few isolated communities In which
there is noticeable tendency 10 give
eredence TO miSinfOrmatiOn emanating
chiefly from the ranks Of alien agita-
tors and other enemies Of 100 per cent
Americanism. II Is deemed advisable
20 refer 10 an editorial i'm the ChrOn-
lcle, Cincinnati. o.. official organ OF
the Ohio Central Labor Council and
Local voice Of the American Fedora
non OF Labor"
In its issue of May 20. 1920. this
publication quotes the preamble to the
constitution of the American Legion,
and adds:
The above is the preamble 10 the
constitution of the American Legion
and 10 our minds II certainly sets forth
a principle that every true American,
whether he be n world war veteran or
not. can consistently subscribe 20.
Recently an international officer, re-
turning from state conference TO
Cincinnati gave vent To the expression
that the members OF his international
union would not be allowed TO join the
American Legion. This TO our mind Is
baby play. The attitude Of the Amer
lean Legion toward organized labor In
The state of Ohio. and locally aS well.
has been clearly defined and has been
approved of by the Central Labor
council. IL Is claimed that at least 40
GER cent Of the boys who went TO
France and across the water were
trade mionists. II this is true. then
the proper thing for them to do would
he TO join the American Legion, and II
ever the occasion arose when there
would be a criticism OF the labor
movement. they could be Of service BY
EXPLAINING our real purposes, thereby
eliminating some Of the antagOniSm 10
us which comes from misunderstood
ing only. There need be no fear by
trade unionlsts of the American lie
zion. We believe they are right and
that they are fair. especially their
leaders. and as we said above. we
would recommend TO every trade
unionist who Is eligible to membership
that he can best protect his interest
and the wage Garner by getting in line.
and place himself where he properly
belongs"
In this connection. the following ex-
cerpts from recent letter OF Frank
lin nOlier. the LegiOn's national com
mander, to Thomas Goldingay. state
adiutant OF New Jersey. appear ap-
propriate:
The American Legion has taken
very positive stand thar. as an organi-
cation. II should never take any def
mite part I'm any dispute between the
employer and the employee. or between
capital and labor. This policy should
be adhered TO strictly by the national
organization. state organizations and
by the posts as well.
"In any such controversy. the inter
est Of the Legion Is confined Ia that OF
the maintenance OF law and order and
without taking part on either ride. In
case the situation should arise where
life and property are endangered. II Is
the dirty OF n member OF the American
Legion to perform his full duty as
citizen. according TO his own con
science and his own understanding
Because Of his military service. the ex-
service man has a very keen sense Of
his responsibility as citizen. and /
am quite confident that he viii always
ne alive 10 this responsibility. There
fore. in case Of a contingency a
above outlined. II is his duty to assist
IN the maintenance Of law and order
bv acting as an individual and Offering
his services 70 the duly constituted
authority for the maintenance or law
and order.
..There Is nothing 10 prevent the IN
slvIdual membsss OF the American lie