Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-04

i ism, it is deemed advisable to refer to
an editorial in "The Chronicle Gin
cinnati. Ohio. official organ of the Ohio
Central Labor Council and Local voice
| Of the American Federation of Labor"
In its issue of May 29th. 1920. this
publication quotes the preamble to the
Constitution of The American Legion.
and adds:
| The above is the preamble to the con-
stitution OF The American Legion and
to our minds II clearly sets forth a prin-
ciple that every true American, whether
he is world war veteran or not, can
consistently subscribe to.
! Recently an international officer, re-
turning from a state conference to Gin
| cinnati gave vent TO the expression that
| the members of his international union
would not be allowed to join The Amer
lean Legion. This to our mind is baby
| play. The attitude of the American
| Legion toward organized labor in the
State of Ohio. and locally as well. has
been clearly defined and has been ap-
proved of by the Central Labor Council.
1t is claimed that at least forty percent
of the boys who went 10 France and
across the water were trade unionists.
IL this is true. then the proper thing
American Legion. and then they would
be in a position, IL ever the occasion
arose when there would be a criticism
of the labor movement. they could be
of service by explaining our real pur-
poses. thereby eliminating some of the
antagonism to us which comes from
misunderstanding only. There need be
no fear by trade unionists OF the Amer
lean Legion. We believe they are right
and that they are fair, especially their
leaders, and as we said above, we would
recommend to every trade unionist who
is eligible to membership that he can
best protect his interest and the inter
est OF the wage Garner by getting in
line. and place himself where he prop
erly belongs"
in this connection, the following ex-
cerpts from a recent letter OF Franklin
D'Olier. the Legion's National Com
mander 10 Thomas Goldingay. state
adjutant of New Jersey. appear appro-
PIRATE:
The American Legion has taken
very positive stand that. as an organ
ization. Il should never take any def
mite part in any dispute between the
employer or the employe, or between
capital and labor This policy should
be adhered to strictly by the national
organization. state organizations and
by the posts as well.
In any such controversy. the interest
of the Legion is confined to that Of the
maintenance Of law and order and with
out taking part on either side, in case
the situation should arise where life and
property are endangered. II is the duty
Of a member of the American Legion
TO perform his fun duty as a citizen.
according 10 his own conscience and his
own understanding. Because of his
military service, the ex-service man has
a very keen sense OF his responsibility
as a citizen. and / am quite confident
that he will always be alive 20 this
responsibility. Therefore. In case of q
contingency as above outlined, IL is his
duty 10 assist in the maintenance OF
law and order by acting as an indi-
vidual and Offering his services 10 the
duly constituted authority for the main
tenance of law and order.
There is nothing to prevent the indi-
vidual member OF the American Legion.
as an individual, from taking either side
in such a controversy, but the American |
Legion, as an organization, should not
do so"