Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-24
work which was being done along
these lines in our own city.
Address by Alvin NJ. OWsIey

Address by Alvin M. Owsley
Following this fine discourse BY
Mrs. Lawrence, Alvin NJ. Owsley
national director of the Americanism
Commission of the American Legion
gave a strong masterfuH speech on
the same subject. Mr.. Owsley is a
Texan and he came to this city with
good knowledge of the work which
he has undertaken.
He began his his talk by telling of
the results of the draft tests. The
American Legion is alarmed by the
figures which show that one man out
of every FIVE was mentally untitled
for his task in this country beoausn
of lack of education, and that one
out of every four was physically UNI
fit to serve in the army. The stand-
ard of American life is going down
and the next generation will not De
as stalwart as the preceding one.
We delight in saying that We are
a united people, but can we say this
when there are 100000 Germans IN
this country who are living in COM
munities where they cat German
food, talk the German language and
conduct themselves as they have in
Germany? Can we say this when
there are 100000 Italians living in
their own Italian communities in this
country? Can we say this when
there are numerous races numbering
as many as 100000 in this country
that continue to maintain their GUS
toms Of their natal land?
The aliens of this country should
be taught to speak English and the
second generation of the races should
be taught English first that they may
have the foundation upon which to
build patriotic structure. This is to
unite the people and not that we
have anything against the foreign
languages. After the child had
learned English he may then be
taught any other language for the
broadening which it brings to the
mind.
This country is being flooded with
propaganda which is pointed at the
downfall of the nation, and this is
being done by countries which owe
us a great war debt, and are con-
sidered to be bankrupt. To offset
this we must work for the American
iZation of aliens and the Welding OF
the whole mass into one united bard
of Americans.
There are different phases to the
problem in different parts of the
country, but it all amounts to tie
same thing. The problem of the Wesr
is just as dangerous to New Englan
and Just the reverse. The country
which was divided 50 years ago is
now one, the United States of Ameri-
ca and all must work for the conf
mon good.
Election Of Officers
After this inspiring talk, the oiec-
ton of officers took place. The list
of names was read by the chairman
of the nominating committee and at
the desire of the assembly, the secre-
tary cast a ballot for the names as
read.
The superintendent of the various
departments of the work of the Union
were then ajjointed. They are:
Scientific Temperance Instruction,
Miss Hattie A. Livermore of Gardi :
ner; Almstouses and Jails, Mrs.
Martha Robbins of Augusta, assisted
by Mrs. Joseph Larrabee of Augusta;
Child Welfare, Mrs. Mary L. Jones
of Hallowell; Flower Mission, Rescue
and Relief. Mrs. Addie Berry Of
Gardiner; Christian Citizenship, Mrs
George Gay of Augusta; Peace and
Arbitration, Mrs. Eta Morse of
Hallowell; Sabbath Observance. Mrs.
f. L. Weeks of Gardiner; Evangelis :
tic. Mrs. Amelia Thompson of Mon
mouth; Anti Narcotics, Mrs. Florence
Longfellow of Augusta; Sunday
Schools. Mrs. Ada Halves Of Augusta;
Fairs, Mrs. Emma Small of Water
vile; Literature. State and National
Papers, Mrs. Jane T. Folsom of
Wayne; Medical Temperance, Hy-
giene and Heridity. Mrs Emma
Woodward of Gardiner; Medal Con-
tests, Mrs. w. l. Guild of Gardiner:
Ameficanization, Mrs. II. May Law
renee Of Waterville; Temperance and
Missions, Miss Anna c. Beale of Au-
gusta; Young Peoples Branch and
Loyal Temperance Legion, Mrs. Lot
tie c. Kerr of Augusta.
After a few words by Miss Brad
ford the new president, in which she
expressed her fear that they had
given her a task beyond her powers.
she asked that the ladies all help
her to the uttermost. the meeting
was adjourned until afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Brief devotional services opened the
afternoon session Tuesday. These ex-
erciSea Kere Led by Mr., ", GRil6 ol