Evening star., 1921-06-15
LEGION HEAD SAYS
HE WILL CARRY ON
Fight for Soldier Bonus and
Good Citizenship to Be
Continued.
By the Associated Press.

ny th0 ASS0clAted ffeso.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, June Is
John G. Emery. who was elected ma
tional commander of the American
Legion here yesterday. in his first
statement as head Of the organization,
issued here. advocated a continuance
by the legion Of its program of instill-
ing in. the hearts of former service
men and women a sense Of "individ-
ual obligation to community, state
sponsibility before them. he said. the
nightmare Of destructive radicalism
and disintegrating factional strife
which has assailed SO many nations
since the war has been spared our
country.
Mr.. Emery said the legion would
continue its fight in behalf Of dis
abled veterans of the world war until
every man Is generously provided for.
The new national commander paid a
glowing. tribute. to the late Col Cal
| braitb, his predecessor. in the state
ment. which follows, in part:
"The circumstances under which I
| assume the Office of national COM
| mander of the American Legion
weigh my heart with grief. My most
ardent desire would have been to con-
| tinue as an humble lieutenant in the
service of the great leader. who was
taken from US by an ineXplicable act
OF God. My one aspiration is to bear
those responsibilities as he would
] have borne them-for the greater
glory Of our country.
Legion's Greatest Service.
IF were asked to state in a few
words what I believe to be the great
est service the American Legion has
rendered our country. I would say
that it has been the CARRYING out
by the legion of the mandate Of its
constitution, which has instilled in
the hearts of former service men and
women a sense of individual obliga-
tion to community. state and nation.
with the national relaxation from
our tremendous war efforts there
came a real danger from an excess
of interest in private and personal
tion of interest in public affairs on
the part of the average citizen. The
first aim of the American Legion was
to meet this danger by rekindling and
continuing the citizens interest in
his community. his state and his
country.
with the sense of responsibility to
community, state and nation before
them in peace and war, the night
mare of destructive radicals and
disintegrating factional strife. which
has assailed SO many nations since
To Work for Country's Good.
1T is the determination of the
American Legion to go forward with
it's fight, emphasizing always a more
vivid conception by each citizen of his
personal obligation of service to his
country.
THE American Legion will con-
tinue its fight for the wounded and
disab bled until every man who gave
his health and strength in the serv-
ice of his country. is adequately and
generously provided for. The claims of
these men have precedence over all
other considerations Of the American
/ Legion.
with the legislation basically nec-
essary for the relief Of the physical
ly disabled passed by Congress. the
American Legion will address its full
/ energies to the task of helping those
financially disabled by reason of the
F., military or naval service. The dve-
fold adjusted compensation bill now
before Congress represents the pay
ment of just and acknowledged OBJ
liga ton the country owes to those
who have served it. 1t is a debt &C.
knowledged by the people wherever
the matter has been the subject Of
popular vote. 1t is a debt the Ameri-
can Legion. with every resource at its
command, will work to have repaid
by action Of the present Congress"