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

children aided and encouraged, his
own mind relieved of worry for them.
When he has been schooled by vo-
cational training he must be aided to
self-confdence to find and hold job.
None can know as his comrades what
myriad problems must be met, what
need there is of a Strengthening as
surance.
The work OF the American Legion
for the disabled must go on so long
as there is a disabled man or Lee
gionnaire left. Nothing must be left
to chance. Every particle OF the hui
man wreckage Of war which can be
salvaged must and shall be saved. The
Legion is confident that the relatively
small sum OF money necessary to back
up a very great determination to meet
this obligation will be readily provid-
ed.
The providing of an American home
for the orphan of every man who fell
in the nations service is so obviously
right that it needs no discussion. These
children are plainly entitled to the
same chance in life which they would
have received had their father not
given his life to America. That is the
very minimum "A home for every
homeless child OF a veteran" is the
basis OF the American Legion's child
welfare program.
1t is determined that every home
less child OF a veteran shall have a
fair and square chance at life, an hon
est, happy American home; proper
education.
The characteristics OF the adopted
home must accord as well as possible
with what the parents, if living, would
have given. or dying would have APP
proved for their baby. Questions OF
financial ability, OF social, moral and
religious environment must be con-
sidered. The Legion, being wholly
non-secrtarian Hopes that homes will
be found where the religion will be
that to which the child might have
been attracted in its own natural home.
1t seeks not perhaps wealthy fami-
lies. but families which stand the test
.of thorough going, wholesome charac-
ter and American ideals. as foster
homes for the homeless children OF
veterans
There will always remain alter home
restoration and adoption have been
provided for many children group
OF orphans suitable for adoption be
cause of physical or mental lnterlor1-
ty OF unattractiveness. Those are the
children whom nobody wants" The
American Legion wants them. The
American Legion auxiliary wants
them. For this group there may be
required permanent care. They shall
have it.
The Legion will build not large or
phan homes or asylums. A series OF
cottage type homes, called American
Legion billets, is being provided Tor
the temporary abiding places OF chill
dren needing them. These cottage
groups afford a family lie in each Tor
about nine youngsters under house
mother. No schools are established,
the children attending nearby public
schools with other children OF the com
munity.
Americas duty to the disabled and
the war orphan is clear. OF America
wholehearted intent to meet that duty
there can be no doubt. The American
Legion accepts the responsibility tor
the task after a full demonstration Oh
its peculiar fitness both OF the heart
and of thes hand. Its program meets
the approval OF serious, thoughtful
people everywhere, 1t is the right pro-
gram and happily it is also the prac-
teal. economical program 1t IS right
to restore the disabled man to health
self-conhdence and independence. 1t
is a vastly less costly program than
10 support him permanently as help
less. incompetent charge upon socle-
tv. It is right to give every helpless
and homeless child the help that VIII
provide for it a proper home. 1t IS
far less costly than to let the child
grow up untutored and unfit into a
lie nj weakness. disease, vice, pauper-
ism or crime. 1t is cheaper to save
the child than later conhne the adult.
The great lie work OF the American
LEGION for the disabled and the chill
dren. for which it requires an endoW-
ment backing OF five million dollars,
would be necessary, right and Just Il II
we're to cost FIVE hundred million. Ii
il is neglected it will throw back up
On fhe government or upon pubic or
private resources a vastly greater task
and vastly greater cost, The Legion
with its special duty to its comrades,
would do the job at any cost. Finding
i practical to sustain this nationwide
nroorarn on the income OF relatively
small p al endowment, it asks for the
nror7ot provision OF that endowment
during the coming few months. 1t
feels confident that it need not beg tor
this need. that it can ask it knowing
that all who give will do so gladly
and proudly. thankful for the privilege
OF sharing this responsibility to those
whose sacrifice to their country was
hernnd money and beyond pride.