The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1921-08-18
| AMERICAN
- LS99fi19e@r

When the editor of the HenneplL
County Legionaire asked DR.. A. A.
van Dyke of St. Paul, new Legion
State Commander, to outline his pro-
gram for the Legion during the COM
ing year, Commander Van Dyke re-
piled as follows:
GAS I see it, our work for the next
year has three phases. First, to car
ry on and complete our work in be-
half of our disabled. Second, to Sc
cure justice, equity, and equality fo,
the ex-service men, both from the
standpoint of our relation with the
s government and our relation with th>
civilians and civilian bodies. Third
to take our place in every community,
co-ordinating and bringing back tina
wonderful spirit which existed thru
out the war, all working for the best
interests of our country and forgett
ing the petty jealousies which have
crept in during the last two years.
'sUnder the first phase, we must co
ordinate our units and devise ways
and means of eliminating existing
red tape so as to bring the men in
need of help closer to that branch of
the government which administers
aid, so that it may be done quickly
and efficiently, thereby relieving III
the greatest measure possible, pain
and trouble. We must also devise
some way of obtaining more adequate
treatment of those borderline mental
cases; those men of whom there are
many, who, due to the terrible strain
to which they have been subjected
have reached the twilight zone of
mental disorder in which they would
remain but temporarily if given pro-
per treatment and restored to nor
maiity, whereas, if placed in existing
hospitals, they will not only fail to
improve as quickly as they should
but will go the other way.
Under the second phase, first
comes adjusted compensation, which
must be accomplished through prov
ing our case not only to the bodies of
Congress, but to the great American
people, who are just, not from TIL
standpoint of patriotism alone, but
from the standpoint of justice and
merit of our claim. Also, we must Sc
cure better enforcement of the Sol
diers Preference Act, locally, from
the standpoint of the state, and from
a national standpoint. For the second
part of the second phase laid out for
us, we must put our organization on
more permanent basis of coopera-
ton with all employers of labor, so
that service men shall not suffer for
having served their country during
it's time of need.
Under the third phase of the work
ahead Of us, there comes to me tt
thought that possibly this phase ir
years to come will mean our creates
task. During the war, there were
two great armies, that army whicl
fought at the front, and the army
which fought at home. We of thu
American Legion have now joined the
great army at home, and it is time
for us to take our place in the COM
munity life, carrying our share of tt
burden and the duty of making this
country better place for all of us t.
1--we in, so that future generations
may look back upon this ~-~-r in
history and realize that we of tho
American Legion did our share mo-
only in winning the great war, but
also in the gigantic task of recon
struction with which we are now bat
Ting and which, please God. shel' IS
brought to a successful conclusion"
The management of the Todo
County Agricultural Association wi