Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-10-11
SOME GOOD MEASURES

SOME GOOD MEASURES
The Americanism Program as ad0p-
ted by the Fourth Annual State Con-
vention Of the American Legion at
Virginia on August 81 to oath contains
number of suggestions and measures
which, if acted .upon,: would he found
of value to ascommunity. This program
in brief, covers patriotic activities,
citizenship, education, Community
Work, Boys Work, etc. It is largely
a program for social betterment which
every Legion Post may follow and seek
to apply in it's respective commun-
ity. The program shows an: earnest
effort on the, part, of the Legion Ito
work for a>(better citizenship and com.
munity life. AS: far as the. political
question is concerned, it has been dis
creetly avoided.
!. The program suggests a more pat
riotic observance of our national and
historical occasions. Less of personal
recreation and amusement and more
of the spirit of the day and it's sig
nificance. It is point we'll taken.
The ballot is the American method
of governmental change. All sane
thinking citizens accept this principle.
Citizens should do their duty and go
regularly to the polls. Public Office
should be held by liable servants of
the people and not by selfish and med
iocre men. Citizens should be more
public spirited and offer their ability
in leading the community.
The program suggests compulsory
registration of resident aliens and ed
ucation for these to become Ameri-
canized.
Essay contests, American Education
Week, compulsory completion of the
Eighth Grade, Physical education,
county and public libraries are some
of the measures included in the ed
vocational department of the program.
1t suggests appointment of the County
Superintendent by County Board Of
Education and also the plan of Help
ing Teachers in the COUNTY.
In the Boys Work the Legion aims
to aid the young boys of the commun-
ity acting as the Big Brother. The
Legion can do a good work in this
direction.
In Community Work the Legion ur-
ges public Fairgrounds, improved mea-
sures for public health, general cul-
ture development, civic Identification,
home ownership and welfare work.
The Legion has been charged with
being conservative. Critics of the or
ganization declare that it is Influenced
by certain powerful political interests.
These accusations have been laid at
the door of the Legion since its in
ception.
Perhaps there may be some truth
to the allegation. There have been
at the head of the national organiza-
ton men of political influence and
men who have exerted a power over
its members. This power however
has been slight. The rank and file
Of the Legion is Independent. Individ-
ual posts differ. This difference fol-
lows according to the sentiment am
ong its members. Thus one post may
have in it's membership ex-service men
of liberal political principles and it's
neighboring post may be the reverse.
1t is therefore difficult to state in
broad and sweeping manner that the
Legion is either conservative or lib
eral in it's policies as far as the poll
tical life Of the nation is concerned.
Yet above all the Legion is striving
to refrain from stand in politics.
That is as it should be. The Legion is
organized for the welfare of the ex-
service men and should confine all it's
powers and Influence in that channel.
To be neutral is the best position for
the Legion to assume. 1t will be a
better force in the community by so
doing.
When an ex-service man belonging
to the Legion expresses a, political
view he is not speaking as Legion
naire, but as an American citizen. That
is his right and should not be miscon-
strued. The Legion has urged it's
members not to involve it's name in a
political discussion as it takes no Of
fetal stand.
This exception however can be
made. The Legion being alert to it's
own interest will throw it's strength
against congressional action unfavor-
able to it. Also Congressional mem
bers are subject to the pleasure or
displeasure Of, the Legion. But this
follows purely matters of direct in
terest to ex-service men and not the
ordinary political issues Of the day.
O.B.A.
NEW CLERK
The P. c. Peterson and Sons store