The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-03-17

COST American Legion, OF Terrell
tonnty. The News prints the follow
mo for information OF the public:
There rests with the American Le-
Dion, in conjunction with government
ri agencies, the major responsibility
lar the care and cure of the disabled
men of the United States forces in the
World war, and for the proper care,
Infringing and education OF the or
nhaned children of those who gave
their lives in battle.
This trust, imposed upon the Le-
zion when it was chartered by the
congress September 10, 1919, was in
y;ted bv the founders of the Legion,
and is welcomed by every member of
tbe Legion. President Coolidge in his
message to congress in December,
1924, expressed his confidence in the
American Legion as the chief and
most representative organization OF
service men of the world war. The
duty imposed by congress, the conf
dence expressed by the president and
the purpose deep-rooted in the heart
of every eX-service man have been
met by a national reorganization Of
more than 1000 posts located in
practically every city and town in the
nation. The active, working member
ship of the Legion today equals in
numbers the total OF mature, effective
male population of the United States
over which George Washington was
president, and which hewed out ma
ton upon raw continent Its power
for good is but beginning to be I'M
dcrstood.
That power is momentously en-
hanced by the American Legion aux
iliary with 6,400 units and a member
ship exceeding two hundred thousand
women.
During the first six years of recon
sruction which have followed the
world war the very large responsible
ty for the disabled and the orphans
has not been met by the Legion with
out the assistance from other Ameri-
cans. 1t could not have been met
without help and it should not The
duty is one shared by every citizen,
and claimed as the direct privilege OF
the Legion, because the comrades OF
those who gave most to their country
are peculiarly equipped to perform
this service.
The Legion has used freely its own
financial resources, and has from time
to time the gifts Of groups and indi-
viduals. At times it has borrowed
money. At times it has seemed impos-
sib1e to see the way clear for a week
or a month ahead. The work has gone
forward but its financing can fairly
he described only as hand to mouth
Very clearly such a policy is neither
adequate, just nor economical Amer
ca's. duty to the disabled and the or
phans is only equaled by Americas
willingness to fulfill this duty to the
utmost. To that end nothing can be
lett to chance.
In realization of this fact, as shown
bv experience, the American Legion
is raising, during the early part OF
l925. an endowment fund OF five mil
lion dollars. of which the income les
timated at $225,000 yearly, will guar
antce solid financial basis in per
petuity for the programs OF disabled
mems rehabilitation and child welfare.
The Legion is asking this endoW-
ment fund from its own members and
the American public jointly. The lie
gion asks it confidently in the knowl
edge that it will be given, and that it
will be the backbone OF the most I'M
portaht public service confronting the
American people today. Each dollar
accepted in this trust means a vital
responsibility to the Legion, and
permanent commitment OF the Legion
to this service, and to other unselhsh
and public service. The sum total OF
the absolutely necessary financial en-
dowment is relatively small. The eX7
tent OF the spiritual endowment which
goes with it is unlimited
The United States government has
passed liberal laws and made liberal