South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-19
EDITORIAL

The ex-service men OF this city
who have learned that there Is sup
posed 70 be a feeling on the part OF
the citizens that the proposed com
munity center memorial building is
10 be a gift by the city % thine. are
righ:fully indignant that the matter
should be held In THE light by any
body
These men, by the mere fact that
| they are ex-service men. have prov
en- 20 all that they gave freely and
unselfshly and that they are not ask
ing that the public make them any
present at their own suggestion. II Is
20 be hoped that. II any such feeling
does exist. IL Is due 20 ignorance OF
the facts rather than an underhand-
ed and dishOnOrable attempt 10 dis
credit the project that has the sup
port OF the best citizens OF the city.
The city has long felt the need of
a suitable building that should AFFORD
facilities for public meetings. con-
certs. plays indoor athletics. gym
nastics, recreation OF the right kind.
!
was no apparent means wherebythis
long hoped-for building could be
erected.
Members OF the Mishawaka post,
161. OF the American Legion. IN their
desire TO take an interest in civic af
fairs and support any cause for the
good Of the city. found that the legis-
lature OF the state In 1919 enacted
a law making fl possible for cities OF
counties OF this state 10 erect suit
able memorials 10 the soldiers and
sailors Of the World War that would
aid IN keeping alive those principles
I for which the war was fought. The
/ law made II possible TO pay for the
building and maintenance OF these
memorials by taxation. as the only
! fair and equitable way 20 pay for
! something in which the entire civic
body might participate and by which
/ they might profit.
With the method legaliZed and a
means provided. members OF the
! American Legion undertook TO ind
out II the public was DESTROYS Of
availing itself of this opportunity to
erect a community center building az
a memorial, and by so doing pay hon
or 20 the soldiers and sailors who
died in the service Of their country.
and at the same time give the city
! something II has long felt the need
/ Of
! The movement met with enthusl-
! asm and hearty support. which IL be-
/ lieved TO have been and TO be genu-
/ inc and sincere. II has been init
mated that people have supported
this movement not because they be-
| lieved In it. but because they were
afraid 10 turn down a project pro-
I posed and supported by the ex-ser-
vice men. This Is hard 70 believe,
/ unless il was the same dlshonOrable
/ persons who bought Liberty bonds 20
escape the stigma OF disgrace. rather
/ than because they wanted 20 support
\ their country. God grant that we
have no such towards in this city.
! but il we have. should their feelings
/ receive any serious consideration +?
/ Heaven forbid,
The American Legion started this
movement here merely in their de-
sire 10 nc VI EtTNlCt u llt
ity. and are active in their desire TO
see the city provide these facilities as
proposed for the benefit Of the entire
community. The ex-service men OF
this city will bear their share OF the
taxes TO provide and maintain this
community center memorial build
ing. just as everybody else will, and
will feel II a privilege rather than a
burden TO pay a fitting and lasting
tribute to their dead comrades and
at the same time provide and main
tain something that will be a lasting
good for the community in which
they live. This community center
building will be for all the city, and
will be paid for by all the city. 1t is
in no respect a gift by one class OF
citizens 10 the ex-service men. and
they are rightfully indignant that ii
should be referred 10 as such. They
decry the assertion and believe the
good citizens OF the city have the
correct appreciation OF the project
and will Insist that the project be
carried through.