San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-29
LEGION HEAD
WOULD HALT
IMMIGRATION
Denies Labor Shortage and
Says Ex-service Men
Walk Streets.
ENGLISH In SCHOOLS
Urges That America Be
Prepared for Any
Emergency.
ENGLISH In SCHOOLS

Alvin NJ. Owsley, national COM
mander Of the American Legion,
speaking Saturday night at the Ira
Wis Park Methodist Church, with an
eloquence that repeatedly moved his
listeners to cheers and applause, made
plea for the perpetuation of pa
triOtism and Americanism that will
long be carried in the memories of
those who heard him. Il. H. Dur
kee, commander Of the local post. pre-
sided and introduced State Command
er John c. Townes. who introduced
Mr.. Owsley. Chaplain ]. Stuart
Pcarce gave the invocation.
Declaring that the American Le-
gion is the one great American ill
stitution that has sprung from the
World war and that it is the right
full successor TO the army and navy
as the defender of the country in time
of peace, Mr.. Owsley told of the
ideals of the organization and of the
important role that it is coming to
take in shaping the destiny of the
country. The outstanding problem
before the country, he said, and one
in which not only legion members,
but every true American is interest
ed, is that of immigration. This coun-
try, he said, in the past has been
bought and rebought by immigrants.
In 1850, less than 100 years ago.
there were but 31,000,000 people in
this country, according to Mr.. Ows-
ley. Since that time more than 90
100000 foreigners have landed here.
Teach Only English.
Last year, he said, 100000 came
to this country, and there are at
present over 100000 people within
the boundaries who cannot read or
write the English language. Denying
that there is shortage of labor here,
Mr.. Owsley pointed to the fact that
last year there were more than 1,OOO,-
600 ex-service men walking the
streets without jobs. If it were with
in his power, he said, he would have
law passed to put a complete stop
10 all immigration for the next five
years. Further, he would make it q
law, he said, that only the English
language could be used in teaching
children in the schools of the coun-
try, and that while they were in ses-
sion an American flag should be flown
above them.
Urging that the country remain
prepared for any emergency. Mr..
Owsley said, that the country could
not hope to hold aloft the lamp of
liberty for the world unless it first
took measures to assure its own safe
~. He told of a recent visit to the
Intelligence Department Mt Washing
ton, where he saw proof of plots be-
ing .concocted in this country by
wouid-be-true Americans to destroy
the country and overthrow the gov
eminent. At the same time, he said.
there is an organization at work in
the streets of the principal cities get.
ting young boys and girls to sign
petitions and pledges never TO take
up arms for the nation, no matter
what the cause.
Need Air Canal Patrol.
he told of meeting n man in Bos.
ton who proposed to write a peace
history Of the United States in which
no one who ever fought for the coun.
try or had been connected with tho
army or navy would be mentioned
W no. "ouIu u history OF America
be without its war herocs?" he nsk.
ed: "A nation without heroes" he
said, lis a nation without history.
and a nation without history is n
nation without patriotism. Worship.
ing and revering heroes makes he
roes who make possible a shrine OF
liberty"
Speaking further on the subject Of
preparedness. Mr.. Owsley told of n
recent trip to the Panama canal
zone. TIE told of inspecting the great
fortified islands that guard the "a.
nal and of the sense of security the
canals gave him. Later. he said. he
went through the canal on ono of
the countrv's latest battleshins and
spoke to the captain about this. He
was told by the captain that tho
ship could 70 n few miles outside tho
range OF the guns on the islands and
without danger destroy them com.
pletely. The captain of the shin then
told him. Mr.. Owslev said. of tbe
urgent need of IN adequate mir M.
troll of tho canal. After retaining
q nation and spending Untold millions
ot dollars TO build the canal. Mr.
twsley said. il is left 50 unguordoJ
mat a few nirships OF an pncmv M.
ton could fly over and drop n few
bombs on the locks. DESTROYING in m
hour what 1t took years TO build.