Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1922-02-08
The American Legion and the
Community

insisting upon the Legion posts
throughout the country taking a
more active part in the social and
civil activities of the community in
which 1t lives and from which 1t
draws its support. In veiw OF these
demands it seems only fair to survey
what has been accomplished and
what may be accomplished in the fu-
ture by Ashland post along these
lines.
The very makeup and nature of
the American Legion makes lit
more nearly representative American
organization than any other lodge or
order in the world, except, perhaps.
the G. A. R. This is true, because
there is no clique or faction, no par
ticular type Of citizen or group of
citizens who are not represented by
of the Legion. Anything
that may be Of interest to any
group of citizens is, therefore, of
interest to a part, II not all, of the
members of the Legion.
When, some three years ago, Ash
land post was organized, some citi-
zens took the view that any organi-
zation of ex-service men was ill-ad-
vised. Their contention was that
the people were tired of war, and
all that pertained thereto, and they
believed an organization which tend
ed to recall any phase of the war
should be abandoned. They, unwit-
tingly gave the greatest reason why
such an organization was necessary.
No one in all the land was op-
posed to rehabilitation of wounded
and sick victims Of the war. No
ons dares to say those who came
home crippled and diseased should
not receive all the care and support
that the nation is able to bestow.
But, owing to this same feeling of
"let's forget 1t ALL" no demands for
prompt and efficient aid were forth
coming.
Officials of the government were
handicapped by lack of funds, lack
Of organization, and lack Of cooper
alton, and found themselves in a
hopeless muddle from which there
seemed no release. 1t was this con-
dition that the American Legion ma
tionally served to remedy, and 1t
was only possible by constant work
OF local posts that the veterans bu-
reau was inaugurated, hospitals
built, and the condition Of thousands
of unfortunate ex-soldiers relieved.
The Legion locally has been criti-
cized sharply by men in general and
by members also, for not doing more
for their own members In each To-
cality. This failure is due to two
causes. Other organizations and in
dividuals who otherwise would have
assisted, have withdrawn their sup
port, expecting the Legion to take
this duty off their shoulders. This,
the Legion was largely unable to do
owing to the fact that nearly all, II
not all, of its members found them
selves in no position to assist their
comrades with money or time. Those
who came home to jobs they had left,
found themselves more or less out
Of tune with their positions, and 1t
took time to adjust themselves, and
all their energy was devoted to re-
gaining the lost ground. Most of
them were penniless, or nearly so,
and could not readily assist their
more unfortunate comrades financi-
ally. Others were In worse shape,
having no jobs that were at all per-
All were more or less de-
pendent upon outside help which.
not being organized, was not as ef-
fective as might have been. Even at
this date, perhaps one third of those
eligible to membership In the Legion
find themselves financially unable to
spare the few dollars necessary to
pay their annual dues, and 80 are
not active members OF the Legion, al
though we feel we have their sup
port and sympathy.
1t has only been during the past
few months that we have secured
enough encouragement to believe we
could keep enough men at work to
earn dues to keep the post alive.
Our field Of endeavor naturally
leads us to work for the betterment
of conditions OF the ex-service men,
in securing employment for our own
members. to encourage patriotism,
in every way to promote good gov
ernment both at home, in the state
and in the nation. To commemorate
the history and the great deeds of
our country. to remember our fallen
comrades. and to furnish somewhat
of social life and enjoyment for our