The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1921-01-24
K-SERv|CE MEN
HAVE INFLUENCE
FORMER FIGHTERS WORK ON
MOTTO policies, NOT
POLITICS."

Pierre, Jan. 24.-Exhibiting the
same pep and spirit that they show
ed on the fields of France during
the period of hostilities, members of
the American Legion have played an
important part in. the first three
weeks of the legislative session.
By basing all their work on the
motto: Policies, not politics." the
ex-service men have been exerting
powerful influence upon the ac-
tions of the legislators, and from all
indications will be able to get prac-
tically all of the bills that will be
proposed by their men through both
houses
Taking into consideration the
Spanish-American War Veterans, IA
members OF the present session are
eX-serTice men Most of these fell
lows have seen considerable service,
and are in position to command
respect from the other ex-service
men. Their ability and military
training have secured places Off
them on important committees
where they will be able to exert
considerable influence upon the
work that is done in the legislature
throughout the session
In addition to these men, Ameri-
can Legion officials have been TAX
ing keen interest in the law-mak-
ing at Pierre, and are putting up a
strong fight for any legislation that
will lead to constructive American
ization work. Every bill that is in
troduced, whether sponsored by the
American Legion or not, if it does
anything to further the building of
American citizenship, is heartily en-
dorsed by the legion members.
Perhaps the one bill that is fore
most in the minds of the ex-service
men is the foreign language bill.
The men are working along the line
of keeping the American language
alone in the schools until the stud
ents have reached the high school.
lt is pointed out that this alone
viii insure good citizenship and be
a guarantee that every child in this
state will be able to speak the
tongue of the land upon rea shins
manhood
1t is significant fact that MANY
OF those of foreign parentage in the
legislature are backing the bill
heartily as they realize the disad-
vantages placed upon child who is
not taught to speak the English Ian
guage correctly.
or course, all of the ex-service
men are intensely interested in the
passage of the bonus bill, allowing
! the sale of bonds for the raising of
money to pay tn ebonus voted by the
people of the state at the last elec-
tion. At first there was some op-
position to the paying of the bonus
in cash, one or two of the legisla-
tors holding out for the payment OF
non-negotiable bonds. This talk
seems to have died out entirely. and
the known attitude of the admins
tration in favor of the cash bonus
has done much to help the Legion
men in their fight.
The working out of the home
building bill, which was backed by
the American Legion in the recent
campaign, is still problematical, al
though it is thought that some plan
| will be evolved that will meet the
approval Of both the legislature and
the administration.
Other measures that are to be
backed by the Legion are receiving
favorable comment. The boxing bill
will probably come in for somethins
of fight, but the soldier prefer.
| ment bill, the emblem bill and the
other minor matters are expected tc
go through with hardly dissenting
vote.
One of the things that is causine
a great deal of discussion is the
proposition to turn over the entire
Americanization problem In thu
state to the American Legion. The
legion would probably accept the
work and carry it on to the bes
ability of the talent that lies within
the organization.
II this is not done, it is thought
that certain portion of the worl
will be placed in the hands of the
legionairres, so that they can worl
out plan for holding meetings anG
an educational program along edu.
cational lines in the work of Ameri
! canization.