The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-07-24
DUTY OF EX-SERVICE BOYS
They Should Assist in Maintenance OF
Law and Order, Says National
Adjutant.

few isolated communities in when
there is noticeable tendency to give
credence to INSTRUMENTATION emanating
chiefly from the ranks of alien agita-
tors and other enemies of 100 per cent |
Americanism. it is deemed advisable
TO refer to an editorial in the Chron-
fcle, Cincinnati, o., official organ of |
the Ohio Central Labor Council and
Local voice of the American Fedora
ton of Labor"
In its issue Of May %. 1920, this
publication quotes the preamble to the
constitution of the American Legion,
and adds:
"The above is the preamble to the
constitution of the American Legion
and TO our minds IL certainly sets forth
a principle that every true American,
whether he be q world war veteran or
not. can consistently subscribe to.
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 10 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. II is claimed that at least ~
per cent of the boys who went to
France and across the water were
trade unionists If this is true, then
the proper thing for them to do would
be to join the American Legion, and If
ever the occasion arose when there
would be a criticism of the labor
movement, they could he of service by
explaining our real purposes, thereby
eliminating some of the antagOnism to
us which comes from misunderstand-
Ing only. There need be no fear by
trade unionlsts Of the American Le-
gion. 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 D'Olier the Legion's national COM
mander, to Thomas Goldingay, state
adiutant of New Jersey, appear APP
propriate:
"The American Legion has taken a
very positive stand that, as an organi-
zation. 1t should never take any def
mite part in 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.
an any such controversy, the inter
est Of the Legion is confined to that OF
the maintenance of law and order and
without taking part on either side, in
case the situation should arise where
life and property are endangered, IT is
tbe duty 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 very keen sense q
his responsibility as citizen. and
am quite confident that he will Away
he alive to this responsibility. There
fore, in case of contingency a
above outlined, il is his duty to assis
In the maintenance of law and orde
by acting as an individual and Offering
his services to the duly constitutes
authority for the maintenance OF Law
and order
There is nothing to prevent the In
dividual members of the American lie