South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-16
PRO AND CON
Editorial Comment on the Activ-
tiles OF The American Legion

Ever since the ending Of the war
The American Legion has been urg-
ing the grouping OF all Government
relief agencies for soldiers into one
bureau. Much hardship has been
caused by the present haphazard ar
rangement. The previous appeals OF
The American Legion for reform Of
this intolerablo situation have had
little effort, but now there is pros
pect OF some action. Whoever has
been responsible. and the officials
most concerned have been quite act
I've in passing the blame around, tho
failure to deal generously and
promptly with its wounded and dis
aDled soldiers. who fought in its de-
tense, is a disgrace TO the country.
The American Legion is right in its
insistence on more adequate provi-
siOns for veterans. and viii find in
President Harding sympathetic
and powerful friend.-Santa Rosa
(CaL) Republican.
The resolution adopted by the
mass meeting held in the First
Regiment Armory under the
aus l1A||o VI A4it - AAANA ANdAA LIZ EAOAA "a
presses. we believe. prevailing pub
lie opinion with regard TO govern
mental treatment of injured and dis
abled soldiers. sailors and marines
who served in the late war.
The program Of five bills indorseo
by The American Legion, which the
resolution urged upon Congress.
points out a clearly defined course of
congressional action. The program
includes consolidating the ex-service
bureaus, appropriations for the per-
manent hospitals, decentralization Of
the Bureau of War Risk Insurance.
extension OF the benefits Of voca-
tional training and provision for the
training and pay Of all disabled men
having disabilities Of 10 per cent.
traceable to service. and retirement
with pay for disabled emergency Of
ficers. The failure of the Govern
ment TO provide for the needs Of in
jured and disabled service men is a
disgraceful page in our govern
mental record. 1t should be wiped
out at the earliest possible moment
by prompt, adequate legislation. The
way is marked out.-St. Louis Post
Dispatch.
The American Legion owes It 10
itself to clean house. 1t has been
getting a large share Of unfortunate
publicity which it might avoid. In
the first place the Legion appears TO
labor under the mistaken apprehen-
sion that it was commissioned 20
take over and become the especial
guardian Of all patriotism in this
country. This causes a number of
its members to assume responsible
ties in censorizing the opinions and
activities of others that are entirely
gratuitous and unwarranted. AS a
consequence Of this erroneous idea
its members have been engaged in
various parts OF the country in mob
outrages. The most recent case is
that at Scotland. where a herd Of
cattle was raided The Legion on
cially denies that II was In any way
responsible for the mob demonstra-
tions of some Of it's members, but
does not deny that it's members were
concerned in the affair. If the
American Legion were once to cast
out the men who engaged in these
unlawful enterprises IL would place
itself upon a genuinely patriotic
basis. So long as II tolerates such
activities from any Of it's members
1t will continue to suffer unfavorable
comment from those who believe In
the enforcement of the laws Clean
house, boys. You are surely strong
enough to discipline your own mem
bers.-South Dakota Leader. Mitch
ell, S. D.