Arizona republican., 1920-10-18
AMERICAN LEGION'S POLITICAL INTEREST
 IN STATE POLITICS

The American Legion has been very reluctant about asking for space in your paper for purposes other than those di- rectly pertaining to their meetings and appreciates the favors already granted m the past: however, the time seems opportune for mention to be made rel ativc to the policies of this organization because Of SO much confusion among the laymen as to what the American Legion is and what it stands for. The writer of this article is therefore ask ing for space for the express purpose of enligtening the public on several is- sues that arc now vague to the general public. and to state clearly that the American Legion is only attempting to deal with issues that are of direct in- terest to American citizens.
 For some time past the Frank Luke UT. Post No. 1 of the American Legion has been working on a suitable land bill that will benefit every ex-service man and woman of Arizona to the extent of enabling them to secure from their government and state sufficient land on long payment plan to give them a place to call home. Concerted action is being made by few selfish individ- uals In the state to defeat this meas ure and the past few weeks the mat ter has been drawn into the political arena and is possibly going to be used to secure votes by those who may never fulfill the promises they are now mak- ing.
 The endeavor of the American Legion members to work out a feasible bill is to be commended. first: Because it is Co the benefit Of the state of Arizona Co have some 1500 persons cultivating land that is now idle. and, second. be- "a aelSing for ono penny that will not be returned to the state and nation. with the best guarantee for loan that the state or nation could hope to secure. That fs the pro position briefly. The members of the American Legion, and ex-aervice men and women who are 6esirous of securing this land are not going Co be discouraged because a few individuals. unwilling to do anything for the ex-service men and women, are spreading the propaganda around that the ex-service men and women want too much. We have not time to argue tne question. but win present the prop osition Co the voters of this state and their decision will be taken as final: however, it would seem practical and moro unsclfish for those~naliticians who arc opposed to any assistance being rendered the ex-service men and wom- en. Co say either one of two things. They are for the issue. or they are not IT they insist on dodging the issue ii will not be surprising if the members Of the ex-service mems organization of this state initiate campaign within ten days that win rival the stand they took In the past war. They went in to win and won.
 Tho people of the state of Arizona arc giving the matter serious thought Many of our people are asking the ques- ton. What of the ex-soldier voter A few of the people are of the opinion the the ex-service voxe in this state is immateriai and is not to be consld. cred Some few of the people are be- ginning to believe this. The majority however, arc those who will poll tn, vote on Nov. 2. and they are aware oi tho fact that the eN-service man and woman are both an important factor 1T the matter.
 Two factors are paramount in tn, ex-service men any women's reques for support this fall. One is the fac that they are backing the land bill O Frank Luke Jr Post of the American Legion, and the other is that immed ate attention be given to the sick an' wounded and disabled men and womei SO that they can again participate I the business world. In this respect tn civil rervice bill is being advocated { allow these men and women to get position on their past record of goo citizenshsa. These two issues are C vital interest to the voting public, bu are not at all popular with the pol iticians. We know that and we kno' further that if the ex-service men an women are are going to be ordere to do this and do that by crowd ( political fanatics something is going happen. If they are ordered to funC ton they will fai to function and they fan to function something is gC ng to happen in politics. That
 plain and cannot be misunderstood. quote the American Legion Weekly, tf spokesman for nearly two million @ service men and women. It says: "B' what of the soidier~ vote, the mo precious trophy brought back fro France? Simply because two milliC men over there and two million ms over here became suddenly acquaint' with the inefficlency. inaptitude ar inadequacy of our governmental sy tenn ard for the first time in their liv realized. that the blame for it rest, squarely upon the shoulders of an fl different body polite politician state bosses. committeeman and leade and organizers may have wielded D
 
 candidate and determining what the sues shall be But not so now |. usually these movements made hea way when they have been led by m in our communities in whom the pu lie confidence was unchallenged. . Young blood. fighting leaders. can paigners who can enter the crusa' with the rest of public service, WI never more needed in the Americ politics. The time is here, the spi ia right, the movement Is opportu for A concerted drive on the part of ex-service men and women of the United States to make a stand for b' ter policies ir, politics and, if half ondeavor Is put forth fin meeting issue as put forth in beating the H' the American Legion will win agai
 The above is the sentiment Of tho men and women who have not forg' ten those comrades that lie sleepi in the fields of Flanders. To be co vfnced of this sentiment one need ol converse with a few of tho eN-serv mon and women ot this state and 2 them what they think.
 Some of those who are possi afraid of the personnel of the ex-sei ice men and women are quoting tl the American Legion is not and ne
 should be affiliated with politics that lt never should be allowed to come a political organization. That n question that is entirely up to
 members. of the American Legion. members of the legion, these men z