The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-06-08
OWsLEY SPEAKS
At BLACKFOOT

Blackfoot was highly complimented
Tuesday by the presence Of National
Commander Ousley of the American
Legion. Close to two hundred Leg
ionaires, business men and Rotarians
were present.
The Legion band formed at the cor
ner of Broadway and Judicial and led
the party of automobiles to the K. Of
P. hall where the large congregation
of business men were on hand to
greet him.
The meeting was opened by the
singing Of America, followed by a
short invocation by Rev. Gillian.
James Gillespie then introduced j.
H. Anderson, who, in the absence of
Mayor Peck, delivered the welcome
speech.
Mark Touhy then introduced the
Idaho members Of the party
Commander Ousley was then intro
duced and delivered very excellent
patriotic address.
He opened his speech by saying he
was here from his own choice, that
he was on his road to Idaho Falls.
His next remark was: 'It seems to
me that everything in Idaho is Falls
or Falling; in fact you have more
rain in Idaho in one night than we
have in Texas in month"
He then asked permission to go far
ther than Judge Anderson did when
he said "We are proud Of our Ameri-
can Legion boys, they're alright"
Commander Ousley said There is no
reason to be ashamed Of any Amerf-
can Legionaire in America because
they are all alright"
He said "The American Legion has
Joined hands with civic organizations
in the furtherance Of Boys Week in
the United States, for the great war
has taught us many lessons. 1t show
ed that one out of every five could
not read, write or speak the language
Of their country. 1t showed that one
out of every four Of our boys were
unfit for military service. The Amer
lean Legion by their boys program,
are going to see that no child grows
up unable to speak the language OF 4
their country. For no citizen can be a
real American until he can speak the
language Of his country. There is an
educational law in every state but we
need othe business men to join hands
with the Legion for we are going TO
drive illiteracy out Of America in the
next five years."
He next called the attention Of the |
audience to the adjusted compensa-
tion bill before congress and made
the statement. "The bill will pass |
congress during the first ninety days |
of the next session. It gives to the |
American soldier a chance to own his
own home; as well as a chance to
own the soil for which he offered to
shed his own blood"
He said Fifty per cent of the
worlds gold lies in the United States
treasury. The war has made Amerf-
ca the center Of credit which she has
refused to issue to foreign countries.
America has sent more money to the
relief of the stricken people of Eu-
rope than she has paid out for these
boys at home. America should be un-
willing ITO send a dollar across the
water until she has taken care of the
problems at home"
"Today there are 600 foreign lang ,
uage newspapers that have come into
existence since the signing Of the ar
mistice that are doing everything
they can to tear down the government
for which we stand, everyone Of whom ,
should be deported out Of this govern
ment. In a land that is the richest on
earth, where individuality pushes
man forth, why should obstruction {
and destruction continue? The time Ii
Tor building has come and will con- t
tinue for America" II
Business men, we desire to join II
hands with you to keep 1t safe, we /
ask you to call on the American man {
hood who fought these battles for c
you, to fight the battle of business. t
In the war we astonished the world +
With our business methods. Let us r
Join hands" lh
The American Legion Auxiliary Ii
served a very excellent luncheon con-
,isting Of radishes, cold boiled ham,
potatoes, shrimp salad,
Parker house rolls, coffee and apple
ofe la mode.