The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1920-05-07
GOOD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
ideals and Purposes Are In Evidence
Now That initial Organization
Is Completed.

American Legion an official order
went out from the headquarters of War
Camp Community Service to its field
workers. Assistance and good will
were to be given to the American
Legion In all localities. On its side
the Legion had already expressed its
attitude toward the fast developing
program of community service by the
following clause In its constitution
''to inculcate a sense of individual obi
cation TO the community, state and
nation" "s
When the American Legion began
its drive for membership and sought
TO establish posts, the accumulated eX-
perience Of War Camp Community
Service with soldier and sailor needs
proved helpful. The services of nine
organizers Of proved ability were
placed at the Legion's disposal. As
necessity demanded. Offices, clubs and
Information booths became centers for
the campaign. The swift advance of
the organizers as post after post was
established showed that common ideals
great prOpeiling power in this drive
for members. And now that initial
organization has been completed, these
same common ideals and purposes are
evident.
The friendliness of the American
Legion for Community Service has re-
Gently been manifesting itself in vari-
t., tha
Legion is pledging funds for the 1920
program of community club and three
officers of the local post are working
on the general Community Service
committee. The entire community
work In another place was continued
at the suggestion and with the backing
of the Legion. The Girls Community
Service League members are being
asked to discuss with the local post
and the leading men of the town the
building of a community house. One
OF the Legion members in Freeport,
Long Island, is so interested In the
Community Service program that he is
devoting a great deal of time and eff
fort TO engage the public in extensive
plans for a civic center and community
house. In several places community
council" of Legion members has been
appointed as a special committee to
work with Community Service. Wher-
ever the girls groups are continuing
activities the American Legion mem
bors are the popular guests at dances
Rad parties. l.
In Nassau-Queensc county, New York,
the girls clubs are successfully work
tsg out with the Legion community
forums and social evenings. The forum |
discussions often lead to warm debates |
on national and international topics. |
The ex-soldler is keen to discuss cur
rent events and the girls are prepared |
to cope with several up-to-the-minute |
subjects. The patriotic stimulation |
and sociability resulting from these |
meetings is showing good results.
In less pretentiOus but nevertheless
practical ways the Legion is working |
with Community Service in other |
places. For example in Baltimore it |
Is giving free use of its ballroom each |
Saturday night to the girls clubs. In |
Fredericksburg Virginia, It helped I'm |
the production of a minstrel show; in |
Chelsea, Michigan, the post is opening |
ITS club rooms for general Community |
Service In its request for the use of |
Che armory for recreational program. |
recreational and social program |
that is often community wide has been |
continued by the American Legion in !
many communities where the War |
Camp Community Service ceased to |
exist after the rehabilitation of the |
soldier. In cases where the soldiers |
club or hospitality house" was vacated |
by the government the American
Legion went in and began a ''carry
on" movement. This was true in Dali
las, Texas, where the American |
Legion. together with the Rainbow,
Both and Goth divisions assumed the
responsibility of running the soldier
club. In Junction City, Kansas, the
Legion has practically full charge of
the Community House and its program.
The numerous occasions on which
Community Service has been able to
assist In programs given by the various
focal posts serve as other examples of
the cooperation between the two or.
CARNATIONS. From coaching the chorus
of minstrel show to the arrangement
OF an entire evening. orchestra to
speakers, the Community Service
workers have willingly put themselves
at the beck and call of the Legion. In
Hackensack, New Jersey, the oppor-
tunity of helping In musical enter
tainment led to the possibility of form
ing giee club Of the Legion men and
the colored post of Englewood. New
Jersey. has asked the help of Com
<fuaity Service In arranging a years
program Of activities. The community
council Of Chelsea, Michigan. is CO.
operating with the Legion In conduct
ing two weekly dancing classes, fol-
lowed by community dance. The
Legion club rooms in Houston. Texas,
were renovated and redecorated with
the help of Community Service.
% many places the Community Serv-