Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-09-09
DUTY CT EX-SERvlCE BOYS
They Should Assist in Maintenance of
Law and Order. Says National
Adjutsnt.

For the benefit of the comparatively
few Isolated communities in which
there is noticeable tendency 10 give
credence 20 INSTRUMENTATION emanating
chiefly from the ranks OF alien agita-
tors and other enemies Of 100 per cent
AmericaniSm, il is deemed advisable
10 refer 10 an editorial in the Chron-
icle, Cincinnati, O.. official organ Of
the Ohio Central Labor Council and
Local voice of the American Fedora
tion 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 10 the
constitution OF the American Legion
and 70 our minds II certainly sets forth
principle that every true American.
whether he he a world war veteran or
not can consistently subscribe To.
Recently an international officer. re-
turning from a 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 70 our mind Is
baby play. The attitude OF the Amer
lean Legion toward organized labor In
the state OF Ohio. and locally as we'll
has been clearly defined and has been
approved of by the Central Labor
council II is claimed that at least 40
per 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
be to join the American Legion, and IL
ever the occasion arose when there
would be d criticism Of the labor
movement, they could be OF service by
explaining our real purposes, thereby
eliminating some OF the antagonism to
US which comes from misunderstood
ing only. There peed be no fear by
trade unionIsts Of the American Lee
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
uhlonlst who is eligible to membership
and the wage Garner by getting In line,
and place himself where ne properly
belongs"
In chis connection. the following ex-
cerpts from recent letter OF Frank
lin D'Oiier, the Legiou's national com
mander. to Thomas Goldlngay. state
adiutaR of New Jersey. appear APP
propHate
The American Legion has taken a
very positive stand that. as an organi
zation. II should never take any def
mite part in any dispute between the
employer and the employee. or between
capital and labor. This policy should
he 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 10 that Of
the maintenance Of law aud order and
without taking part on either side In
case the situation should arise where
life and property are endangered, II Il
the duty Of a member Of the American
Legion to perform his full duty as n
citizen. according 70 his own con
science and his own understanding.
Because of his military service. the Ell
service man has very keen sense OF
his responsibility as a citizen. and !
am quite confident that he will always
be alive 70 this responsibility. There
fore. In case Of contingency as
above outlined. II Is his duty to assist
In the maintenance OF law and order
by acting "a an individual and Offering
his services to the duly constituted
authority for the maintenance OF law
and order.
There Is nothing TO prevent the in
dividual members OF the American lie