The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-09-16
Mighty Force In
Life Says Hartness
Continued from page one)

CONTINUED from page one)
ing that st. Johnsbury has been
sincere in getting you here and
giving you a good time, but much
|, more important than this, to go
back to your homes resolved that
you will make your town, state
and nation a better place to live
in because of the American
Legion. Boys, we are mighty glad
to have you with us.
The Department Commander
said he had barely recovered from
an illness, but that he had never
missed a convention yet and
would not until he was done. He
said the American Legion was Just
getting started and reminded his
audience that while there we're
1000 veterans of the world war
in the state today there were only
5000 members of the American
Legion. He said the first ques-
ton before the members was what
they could do for the state of
Vermont. The Legion members
should all cooperate and work for
the best interests not only of the
Legion but every good cause in
the country. He said that St.
Johnsbury Vas royalty entertain
ing the delegates and he wanted
every one to be a gentleman every
minute he was in St. Johnsbury
and a soldier every minute of his
life.
Gov. James H~artness was Civ
en- a royal welcome and gave a
strong address, making a decided
hit in his opening words by ad-
dressing Redfeld Proctor as the
heir apparent to the throne of
Vermont.
Gov. Hartness said that an i'm
mense force was represented here,
a force that stood for a square
deal; a force that has shown its
mettle and its bravery; a force
that can think a thing through.
What you have done shows the
high quality of your personality.
We 7 facing today a situation
that calls for original thinking.
Before the war we were headed in
the wrong direction. We had
reached a point where disruption
was inevitable. Today our great
est men cannot tell us which way
to go. We are falling down in
the management of our energies.
We each belong to associations,
but there ought not to be one
fight after another in any organ
izations. This seriously interferes
with production and there are a
thousand and one reasons why
we should increase production.
Let us forget the question of
dollars and remember that if we
all work continuously we will pro-
duce immensely nor than we are
producing now. We have strikes
because the workers see men in
other divisions of life, grabbing.
We should see to it that these
things T adjusted. Today our
statesmen, our scientists, our
heads of the different groups can
not steer this complicated ma
chine.
Interrupted by the world war
production will go on if everyone
of us takes hold and does his
part. If you carry on there will
not only be more money for all
of us, but there will be a better
equipment in case of war. We
must not fight to gain our rights in
case of a strike, but when we
have a strike, have it settled by
arbitration. There must be unpre-
JUDGED commissions to make a
fair wage for all and commissions
that have a vision to grasp the
viewpoints Of both sides in the
controversy. Our country will be
in the hands of Germany if we go
on as we have been going. If the
i affairs in Germany are handled as
they were before the wal the
United States will play second
fiddle to Germany. To get results
in production every one must play
his part and all pull together.
With the same spirit of devotion
to your country, with the same
courage you put into the big con-
test the American Legion can
stand for the fundamental prin-
ciples that make for prosperity.
Anything that interrupts produc-
ton is wrong and we depend on
you that so valiantly served in the
world war to help us out in these
difficult times. AS the chief exc
cutive | want to tell you that the
state values in highest terms the
men who served in the last war.
The state gives you its warmest
greetings. 1t depends on you
for level-headed action and clea1
thinking in these troublous times,
| have preached political economy
to you tonight and came to you
with this message, for | believe
that by increasing production and
getting together there is furnish
ed the best opportunity for every
man, woman and child to make
this country the foremost on the
globe.
Gov. Proctor was presented as
a manpossessing two prime quail
fcations for service-being an
American citizen and a member
of the American Legion. Introduc-
ed as III "Buddy" he was receiv-
ed with great applause which was
again started when he said he
came before his audience not as
a candidate for the highest office