The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1921-04-01
aarvice Man Calls on Galbratth
Tells Hew Kansas Legion L.
Being Used ~ Political
Insefumeat

Being Used ~ Political
Instrument
10 the Editor: Thru the press
Aheatctes you have no doubt heard
Of tho recent mobbing that took
peace In kansas. Of which was one
ef the victims. am state chairman
q the World War Veterans OF the
state Of Minnesota. and was an en-
listed naa during the world war
aad am still member of the reserve
tsrce Of the United States navy. I
~ taking the liberty OF mailing
- . COPY Of the letter that have
written to the national commander
e the American Legion which you
can use for publication II you wish.
G. o. PARSONS.
Saltna. Kansas.
.oalina, Kan. March is, 1921.
0lr. e. ~. 0albraith.
egatloaAi Commander, American
Legion, Indianapolis. Indiana.
Dear Sir-As state chairman of
he World War Veterans of the state
sf Minnesota. and acting secretary
- CaotAin Malion for organization
vsRk for the Nonpartisan League in
he stats Of Kansas. am taking the
Nberty to write you with reference
t. the present outrages committed
~ the commanders OF legion posts
- leading mods and sitting free
eDeecA In the state of Kansas. ]
saaai1e THAT the constitution Of the
American Legion 10 presumed to
0adataln law and order, but these
- commanders of the various
eests thFuout the state in order that
Aey may camoufiage owing to your
bV-lAws. and take political action In
peoltical controversies are forming
ander the head Of the American De-
Tease League In order to be evasive
Aad avoid oGacially connecting the
ac1ieA q mob law with the Ameri-
60 legion. For instance I will give
yoa IN illustration: ~,
O. A. Klttermau. who is COM
nanded Of the legion post in Salina,
Kan. b ct the head of the so-called
American Defense League in this
$3.50: They opealy threatened vio-
teace When the Nonpartisan League
oane t. 6sliaa, and sent out q call
6er the posts to come to q mass
Absttng. Proceeding thus on &C.
oeNat Of your serving notice upon
tAen that they could not partici-
safe politically as an organization.
thpy covered themselves up by form
ing an organization known as the
American Defense League. The pur-
pexe OF this defense league and what
Il II to defend has never been ex-
Eoaiaed to me a. yet. but as you un-
dorstand to some extent the game
q politics. you yourself no doubt,
rea1lxe the necessity Of this camou-
lase.
went to Ellinwood. Kan. with
]. o. Stevic. editor OF the Kansas
Leader. leaving Salina at 3 a. m.
anA arriving at Ellinwood at 1880
,. u. where l was notified that the
lc9ion boys. under direction Of DIR.
Nixon, post commander of the
American Legion OF Great Bend had
kidnapped our speakers. Professor
George Wilson. formerly of the Uni
OF Oklahoma at Alva, and
lermer Senator ]. r. Burton and
his wife. who were on their way to
nlltnwood whore they were billed to
1Deak At O'Clock in the afternoon.
Ehe mob. under the leadership Of
-. Nixon. made their boasts that
hey were acting % the American
Legion. mAltreating an elderly farm
i and two boys Who were In q car
~ Aim coming to Eflinwood. They
COX the said party Is miles south
= that they were unable to make
he meeting ct Nilinwood.
! Bsang nottaed Of these facts. 3
,alisA some 600 farmers together.
ITO had gathered to hear the speak
n ~n~ksAAa 49, - 49, 49,