The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-12-25

America: to maintain law and order;@
to foster and perpetuate 100 per
cent Americanism; to preserve the
memories and incidents Of our associa-
tion in the great war; to inculcate
sense Of individual obligation to the
community, state and nation; to COM
bat the autocracy of both the classes
and the masses; to make right the
master Of might; to promote peace
and good will on earth, to safeguard
and transmit to posterity the princi-
pies Of justice, freedom and democ-
racy; to consecrate and sanctify our
comradeship by our devotion to mu-
tual helpfulness.
Politically Neutral.
1.-THE position of the American Leg
ion in political controversies is neutral
and nonpartisan. We are on record in
favor Of policies and are not inter-
ested in political differences as they
arise in the different sections of the
country.
"In great national organization it
is ne cessary that the Individual men,
bers retain to themselves the greatest
freedom in matters of political affilia-
tion, religion, etc., and they decide
upon their own conduct along these
lines strictly in accordance with their
own conscience.
1.-Two successive conventions of the
American Legion have unqualifiedly
upheld and reiterated this policy The
people Of the United States have the
right to decide for themselves any po-
litical question that may come before
them. The American Legion does not
believe in the abridgement OF this
right in any respec-. The American
Legion believes in law and order. It
is steadfastly opposed to the use of
force and violence in furtherance Of
any doctrine, and will oppose such
methods through the lawfully consti-
tuted authorities wherever they may
appear.
Wrong by individuals.
mo one knows more truly than you
do that the aims and attitude Of
great national association may often
be misjudged by the Irresponsible con-
duct or statements Of Individual men,
bers Of the association or by small
groups Of members, and that it sor1e-
times unfortunately occurs that the
newspaper reports Of such incidents
0f statements are not strictly accur-
ate reports of the facts and clrcum-
stances as they occurred. Incidents Of
this nature cannot commit a national
organization to policies or positions in
conflict with the policies and positions
taken by such an association at it's
conventions or as set forth in its con-
stitution.
"In closing I wish to assure you
that I appreciate sincerely your cour-
tesy in bringing this incident to my
attention, and if during the coming
year it may be reported to you from.
any source that the American Legion
in any part of the country is acting In
violation of the general principles
which I have set forth above, shall
deem it personal favor If you will
bring the facts to my attention as fully
and completely as they may be laid
before you. To merit the confidence
and esteem Of all sections and groups
of people Of the United States is our
aim. II we fail it will be g. misfor-
tune, but 1t will not be through a lack
of honest endeavor"
=: Mr.. Gomper's Reply.
Mr.. Gompers lost no time in reply
ing to Mr.. Galbraiths letter and to
call attention to the part the A. E.
Of F. played in the war. He also set
forth the lofty principles to which the
Federation is committed. He replied
as follows:
1T is indeed gratifying to know
that you have taken the same stand
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