The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-09
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS

The third annual department con-
vention of the American Legion,
which was to have been held at
Hutchinson in August, has been post
poned to October 3, 4, and 5, accord
ing to an announcement made by the
Kansas department headquarters. 1t
was found that the original dates
conflicted with the Kansas National
Guard encampment to which many
prominent Legion members will be
compelled to go.
That Catholics and Catholic school
authorities in the United States are
in full accord with the movement of
the American Legion to make the
English language the basic language
in common schools, private, parochial
| and public. is the assertion of an Of
fetal of the National Catholic We'll
| fare Council in a communication to
American Legion headquarters at In
dianapolis. The council is expected
to officially endorse the Legion's
langua ge campaign at it's coming con-
ference.
Several states have adopted Ian
guage laws and others are now con-
sidering the passage of such laws. A.
c. Monahan, of Washington, D. c.,
director of the department of educa-
ton of the National Catholic Welfare
Council. has written to Henry j.
Ryan, director Of the National Ameri-
canism Commission of the American
Legion. expressing it as his opinion
that 'ithe very great majority of
Catholic people and Catholic school
authorities are in full accord with the
Legion's attempt to have language
| laws passed in every state"
The state of Maine has a law pro-
viding that the basic language of the
common school branches of all
schools shall be the English language.
This law does not prohibit the teach
| ing of foreign language as a Ian
guage. Monahan, in his communica-
| ton, cites the Maine law as a model.
A mutual understanding between
| the American Legion and the Ameri-
| can Federation of Labor is believed
| by both Legion and labor men to have
| been accomplished at the recent ma
tional convention of the labor fedora
| ton at Denver, Colo. Messages have
| been received at the national head
quarters of the Legion from labor
leaders and Legionaires congratulating
the Legion upon its success in making
| clear to the federation the real pur-
pose of the Legion.
| Labor and the Legion have a COM
mon aim-to make America a better
place in which to live" Alvin NJ. Ows-
| ley, a member of the Legion's Ameri-
canism commission, told the labor
delegates. Owsley. formerly assistant
| attorney general OF 4CAdSs was lAllA
duced to the convention by Samuel
| Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Labor. The purpose of
his appearance before the meeting was
to clear up misunderstanding which
have been fostered between the two
Organizations by radicals.
1--WE can oily maintain harmony of
| the classes and the masses by uphold
| ing and defending the constitution of
| the United States, by wiping from our
statute books every law that Expresses
| one for the benefit of the other and
by frowning upon the efforts of dis
| loyalists to kindle fires Of government
hatred" declared the Legionaire.
| This great republic rests upon the
| three great pillars of equality
of rights, community of interests and
reciprocity Of duty"
! Referring to the immigration ques-
ton Owsley said that the Legion was
bitterly opposed 10 the reshaping OF
American principles by those of for
eign extraction.