The New York herald., 1921-01-02
Correspondence Grew Out Of
Gompers's Protest Over
Kansas Events. av
GALBRAITH SENDS REPLY
Sees Difficulty in Impressing
~ Body,s Aspirations. on N.
~ s ',''.sh y. Small Groups.
80 -. y. ~. ..tnf- II

ana odIHuti NvOiiptIo, PiSSioShAs "a eAAN
American Federation Of. Labor, has
been made public at the national head
uuarters of the legion. The letters,
which continue an exchange begun be-
fore Mr.. Galbraith took office, reveal
the two executives in accord on the
principle that an organization, as such,
can scarcely be held responsible for
acts Of individual members which may
not agree with either the letter or the
spirit Of the body's official pronounce
nents.r., Each of the correspondents
expressed the hope that they might
meet and talk over the problems con-
fronting them. sa.s'4''Fd.
The first letter was written by Mr..
Galbraith November 2 in response to
one which Mr.. Gompers had sent to
Franklin DOlier. former commander
of the legion, last August. The labor
leader had called attention to reports
that members of the American Legion
were improperly participating in GER
tain political activities in the State OF
Kansas" and Mr. Galbraith wrote that
a reply had been delayed because he
needed time to familiarize himself with
the situation He added:
"As a result of an investigation the
officials of the American Legion In
Kansas report that the American Legion
did not participate as such in the incl
dents reported TO you. II any members
of the American Legion did take part
xxf III
was entirely upon their own responsi-
bility, without sanction from any Off
cial of the American Legion and in vio-
lation of our expressed policy.
Legion's Principles.
"As you know. the American Legion
Is an association of former soldiers,
sailors and marines associated for the
following purposes: To uphold and de-
fend the Constitution OF the United
States of America to maintain law
and order; to foster and perpetuate
400 per cent Americanism; to preserve
the memories and incidents Of our as
ISOLATION in the Great War: to incpl-
cate a sense of individual obligation to
the community, State and nation; to
combat the autocracy of both the classes
and the masses: to make right the mas
ter Of might to promote peace and good
will on earth to safeguard and trans
NIT to posterity the principles OF JUS
tice, freedom and democracy; to conse-
crate and sanctify our comradeship by
our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
''The position of the American Legion
In political controversies Is neutral and
non-partisan. We are on record In ia
vor Of policies and are not interested in
political differences as they arise in the
different sections of the country.
"In great national organization II
is necessary that the individual members
retain to themselves the greatest free
dom in matters of political affiliation.
religion, &C.. and that they decide upon
their own conduct along these lines
strictly In accordance with their own
conscience.
Policy Reiterated.
Two successive conventions of the
American Legion have unqualfiedly up
held and reiterated this policy. The peo-
pie Of the United States have the right
TO decide for themselves any political
question which may come before them.
The American Legion does not believe in
the abridgement of this right In any
respect The American Legion believes
In law and order. It is steadfastly op-
posed to the use of force or violence in
furtherance OF any doctrine and will OPP
pose such methods through the lawful
ly constituted authorities wherever they
may appear.
mo one knows more truly than do
you that the aims and attitude of
great national association may often be
misjudged by the irresponsible conduct
or statements OF individual members of
the association or by small groups OF
members and that 1t sometimes unfor-
tunately occurs that the newspaper re-
ports of such incidents or statements are
not strictly accurate reports OF the facts
and circumstances as they occurred. In
cidents of this nature cannot commit a
national organization to policies or po-
sitions In conflict with the policies and
positions taken by such an association
Mt its conventions or as set forth In Its
constitution"
Reply of Gompers.
Replying a week later Mr.. Gonrpers
wrote 1T is indeed gratifying TO know
mat you have taken the same stand as
your predecessor. Mr.. Franklin D'Olier,
and are just as much In earnest as was
he In conserving the good name of the
American Legion. ! would ask you II
there is anything In the following decla-
ration by the A. f. OF l.. convention in
1910 to which the American Legion can
object:
Organized labor contends for the
Improvement OF the standard of life. TO
uproot Ignorance and foster education.
TO instill character and manhood and an
Independent spirit among our people. TO
bring about recognition Of the intcrde-
pendence OF the modern life OF man and
his fellow man. II claims TO establish
n normal workday. take the children
from the factory and the workshop and
place them In the school. the home and
playground. In word the unions OF
Dor recognizing the duty OF toll. strive
to educate their members 10 make their
homes more cheerful in every way. TO
contribute an earnest effort toward
making life the better worth living, to
avail their members OF their rights as
citizens and TO bear the duties and re-
sponsibilities and perform the obliga-
tions they owe TO our country and our
fellow men. Labor contends that In
every effort to achieve It's praiseworthy
ends ~ honor be "~d iaw~ul s->~-~ ars
not only commcrdnh'e but should r.
ceive the sympathetic support Of every
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