Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-12-22
JUST WHERE LEGION STANDS
Influence of Organization Not on De-
cline, Asserts Douglas County
(Neb.) Iegionnaire.

The influence Of the American Lee
giOn is on the wane, AYERS a CORE
I spondent of a western newspaper, dis
cussing the decline in membership Of
this organization since the peak years
Of 1920 and 1921.
Following the war, the Legion was
+ recognized as a powerful force, par
ticularly in politics, national, state
and community" points out the CORE
spondent. To-day, the Legion is not
discussed much"
II is our humble opinion that one
or two things is the matter with this
correspondent, says the Douglas cOun-
ty (Neb.) LegiOnnaire Either he is
not well informed on the status of the
American Legion with the home
folks" or else he is using his "ham-
mer' with the apparent intent to be-
little Americas largest and strongest
organization Of veterans.
The American Legion is not to be
measured by mere numbers.
The spirit of service, the spirit Of
fellowship, the spirit of self-sacrifice
for their needy buddies, the spirit OF
loyalty TO their country and its insti-
tutions-these are a few Of the things
by which the Legion should be meas
ured.
The accomplishments of the Legion
in the field of service are a refutation
Of the charge that the Legion's infu-
ence is wandering. For without the
confidence of America, without the
support and cooperation of its citi-
zens, the Legion would be unable to
carry on its program Of service-a pro-
gram which has been so successful and
so unselfish that the organization COM
mands the respect and admiration Of
every right-minded person in the land.
America looks to the American Lee
gion as the organization which speaks
for the 100000 brave men and wom-
en- who fought the nations battles in
the greatest war of all time. Either
by active or passive consent practical
ly all of the service men and women
Of America recognize the aims of the
Legion. its principles and its program
as their own.
When the American Legion speaks,
it is the voice of Americas war vet
Grams.
SO long as the Legion maintains its
present high ideals, its present lofty
conception of the organizations duty
to its country and to its buddies, the
voice of the Legion will be needed.
Membership in the organization Of
fers little to the individual, but the
right to help shoulder a burden, the
right to help carry a buddy's pack
that buddy, who, because of the war,
is unable to meet the economic con
ditions of the day.
Ne luxurious club rooms, no benefits
OF any sort are offered to the men and
women who unsaishly join hands
through the American Legion to per-
petuate the fellowships OF the battle
field. the camp and the training ship.
Yet il is our humble opinion that
the Legion. whenever it makes up its
mind that it wants to, can go out and
increase its membership nationally to
the million mark
The people of America have faith
in the American Legion. That their
confidence has not been misplaced is
proved by the Legions unselfish de-
votion TO the principles of American
ism and service, service for the most
part extended to nonmembers of the
organization.
The Legion may not be discussed
much in the particular circle in which
the correspondent of the newspaper
travels.
But when the ''home folks" think Of
the service man, they think of the
Legion They have come to look upon
the Legion as the mouthpiece of the
nations defenders.
There is little to back up the state
;uent thar the Legion is losing inhu-
ence.
Today the Legion stands as the au-
thor Of practically all of the legisla-
tion pertaining to the veterans of the
World war Most Of the early objec-
tives have been attained.