The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-12-02
AMERICAN
II y


'HThe American Legion is such an
established institution that no eligible
person can afford to stay out" ac-
cording to Lemuel Bolles, national
adjutant, in a communication to the
department headquarters here.
THE American Legion is not ira
ternaI society; it is not class organ1-
cation; it is not a lodge, club, church
or any of these things" Mr.. Bolles ex-
plains. 1T has come to be public
institution to which are eligible those
men and women who served their
country in the army, navy or marine
corps during the war"
at has undertaken great public re-
sponsibilities. The citizens of every
community benefit by tits activities,
particularly do all service men reap
the results of it's activities in their be-
half.
sarThe American Legion offers the op-
portunitity to every veteran to pre-
serve the many comradeSh1ps formed
during the war, in camp, at sea and
on the battlefield. 1t offers the OPP
uortunity for the development of the
Qualities of leadership in civic affairs;
for association with clean and stall
Bart men; for practical application or
the principles of mutual helpfulness
it offers an opportunity for the round
ing out of all those good qualities and
activities and service which enter into
the makeup of a good citizen and
man."
The Seward-Ayars Post No. 16, of
Neodesha in a financial report for the
year, "shows a record of comprehen-
siye planning excellent management
and intelligent aggressiveness that
might well stand as a shining ex-
ample to other American Legion posts
of the United States" according to
comment recently made by the ma
tional headquarters of the American
Legion.
Within the period of one year this
most has increased it's cash worth
from s355.63 to $1,662.0S, gain of
nearly 500 per cent. In addition to
this they have expended for flowers.
relief, etc, $131.74, contributed to
civic welfare $225, expended for
lunches, magazines, ETC., $44-66, and
sent six men to their state convention
and one to the national convention in
New Orleans Also, a review of their
statement shows, that these progress
sive legionnaires have not had every
thing rosy, having lost $s1.T7 on three
entertainments.
The legion department adjutant,
Frank E. Samuel, has this to say of
the post: Their membership is EOS.
The carnival was not one of the dis
reputable, professional carnivalS OF
which we so often hear, but was a 10.
cal affair to which the members Of
the legion post contributed all the
talent. 1t would be a splendid thing If
each local post in this organization
OF ours could renQer SuCn a statement
from year to year to all its members"
The carnival, held July 5, 4 and 5,
showed a net profit of $2,089.4S.
According to the legion department
commander, w. p. MacLean. our ma
ton cannot point with pride to the
fact that America occupies the posi-
ton of twelfth place in the world as
regards flliteracy statistics. The state
ment was made in discussing plans for
the observance of American education
week. December to 9, as being ad-
vocated by the three agencies, the
American Education association, the
United States Bureau of Education
and the American Legion. Com
mander MacLean, being a professional
educator himself, is naturally much
interested in Immediately improving
this condition and he feels that it is
very fitting that this program should
occupy the attention of the American
Legion and its auxiliary.
According to figures available, IT
would seem that the countries of the
world rank as follows in point of illit-
eracy. with Germany having the few
est illiterates: Germany, Denmark.
Switzerland. Holland, Finland, NOR
way. Sweden, Scotland. England,
Wales and France. Commander Mac
Lean has explained that it is the in
tention of the American Legion to put
this country in first place, now occu-
pied by Germany, the nation whose
autocrat;c ambitions the legion men
once helped to crush.
The department commander is also |
placing emphasis on the need for |