New-York tribune., 1922-11-30
Keynofe Speech of National
Commander Owsley Is
Widely Broadcast; De-
fines I.egion's Stand

WASHINGTON % C.. Nov. 20.
Alvin owsIey, national commander Of
the American Legion, delivering his
keynote speech tonight through fhe
government radio WAS heard wast 70
the Rocky Mountains, and other wire
Less broadcasting statlons, picking up
his message outlining Legion policies,
rent Il throughout the nation.
The national commander defined the
Regions attitude toward such prob
ms as the care of the disabled, ii1afs9l.
,srsaion. child labor. the national de-
tense policy, international peace, profit
eering adjustment of compensation
and the preservation of the Constitu-
tton and the funczioning Of the Su-
pxerne Court.
ave Of the Legion share together
she memories of heroic trials and
struggles that left uiark npon our
hearts /" Mr. owsiey said. For four
years we have guarded and forwarded
The interests OF the broken veterans
of the great war, snd we snail mar.
tain this vigilance for forty years IL
need be.
'sThe Legion asks for no charity for
the disabled. The Legion calls for
Justice. We call upon the nation 70
lie mindful Of its duty to It's owr.
Jut of the millions that we send con-
tinuaIiy overseas for the saving OF
,ribes that We know little OF, If this
,tood Of GOLD for one day only were
Inverted to the aid Of the men disabled
in Americas defense IL would pro-
vide a Thanksgiving and Christmas.
for every one of them that would
tighten gray existence with gieam
Of Joy.
win Care for Their Own
"ret us be thankful that there is no
need Of that, even for one day The
men ans women of the Legion and the
women of It's auxiliary can care for
Americas disabled on every Ihanks
giving, and care for them they viii;
and Americas charity may continue
overseas. Let US be charitable, TX
need be, when the agents CT the
Soviets Of Rnssia come before Amer
ican apdiences TO plead for our chart-
ties and TO denounce our country alike
in utter confidence"
Speaking of illiteracy and our
schools, Mr. owsley said: Already
the Legion has effected legislation for
compulsory school attendance. We
thaii continue until child labor has
been suppIanted by child growth, de-
veIepment and study throughout the
land. We shall.carry on until iliiteracy
is wiped out and reason, based upon
understanding, prevails: Ability 70
read and write is not the sole quail
iication for good citizenship. We are
devoted TO their training and develop
ment."
Then, telling Of how the Legion is
s..s.epo AuonYipo
he said: Now let us fancy these boys
and girls saying: What have you done
% prepare America for us?'
In answering that the national com
mander declared: "0ne.third Of our
population is foreign born or born of
foreign parentage. Hundreds of thou
sands entering America bring with
them no ideals nor any understanding
of the spirit of America. am afraid
they come for gain and offer in ex-
change ingratitude. The Legion favors
and will take action for the exclusion
of immigration for fixed period of
years"
Regarding cur military defense Mr..
Gwsley pointed to the Defense Act OF
1920 as the Vine below which it would
be unsafe to cut our military forces.
The minimum established by that act
for the personnel of the army has been
lowered since,' he said, "and the Legion
asks that it be restored"
Speaking Of the great war 'won by
The service men at an economic sacri-
ice" while there were 'other Ameri-
cans who avoided active service end
remained in the ranks of peace, to
heir own great economic profit due dl-
ectly to the war" he declared at is
the will of the people that this injus-
tice be righted by an adjustment OF
wartime compensation, and they have
expressed their viii in no uncertain
,eTms at every opportunity afforded
ihern."
Declaring that there 'is no shadow
of a doubt" Of the coming of this ma
fional adjustment of compensation, Mr.
owsley tells Of the benefits it viii
bring, its insurance for the safeguard
ng Of families, loans for the building
Of homes and the setting up of farms
The commander concluded his ad
dress by calling attention to the AL
led Veterans of the World War, o.
which the American Legion is ths
United States member society. "The
organized veterans Of eight great ma.
tions are working with all their power:
for better understanding between ma
tions, such as will clear the path fol
permanent and lasting peace"