The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-27
Consumers Paw.


Mr. Hchborn calls attention to the fact that all these
contributions passed in charges to
AS for the American Legion have certain evidence
on the character Of its hackers in letter written the
letterhead of Swift and Company December rs, 1919,
and addressed to certain corporations:
cat meeting held December %, 1912 presided
by Mr.. Thomas f. Wilson here present repre-
sentaves of the different stock yard interests and it
voted that they contribute $4,000 towards
paign for funds for the American Legion A national
drive is being made for the Legion and the amount
asked from Illinois is 100000, Mr. James B. Forgan,
chairman of the First National Bank, being treasurer of
the fund for Illinois. We all interested in
the Legion the results it will obtain and the ultimate
effect in helping offset radicasm. 1t is important
that assist this worthy work and at the meeting
was asked by the chairman write to the different
stock yard interests for their contribution. In pro-
rating the amount, it suggested that
arbitrary percentage basis and the amount you
asked to contribute is $780,"
In much the same manner the new American Citizen
ship Foundation IS supported by substantial Chicago
capitalists (see page 1897.
Taking the whole group Of patriotic societies, both
the national and local. the general and the employers
it is clear that they supported mainly by business
interests The connections Of their directing committee
members, shown in the list on page %, makes that
evident In addition, there are of course many men,
bers paying small amounts who genuinely believe in
the dsinerestedness of the organization Of all the
organizations the National Security League has the
widest basis Of support and is less identified with big
business interests than in its early years Its pro-
gram is genuine, though Of reactOnary in its
insistence things they
Of it should be that support by interests
fearful Of change does not that they themselves
have actively promoted the organizations Rather the
state of fear has produced situation which could be
capitalized to advantage by either skful promoters
by intense enthusiasts The officers who the
CARNATIONS clearly of two types-either
promoters out for good job which gives them also
the qualification of public attention-and salary
sincere enthusiasts thoroughly alarmed the
Of radical ideas to property interests and what they
conceive to be form of government"
Financial Appeals
Despite the fact that most of the income of these
professionally patriotic bodies from business
corporations and wealthy gvers in fairly large amounts
public appeals for membership and funds made by
most Of them What proportion is raised by cir
culars and leaflets is impossible to estimate. but the
character of the literature of appeal throws light
the type of patriotism they most eager to serve
And it shows what they think will bring in the money
The National Security League, which appeals widely
for dollar memberships (and over) heads its appeal:
For an AMERICAN AMERICA and law and order,
or,
"For better, safer and more prosperous America"
1t pledges that the money will be used to increase
respect for constitutional government and in opposing
socialism, communism, and Bolshevism" In one letter
Il asks:
"Are you willing to help match, for AMERICAN
PROPAGANDA, what the Communists spending for
antAmercan propaganda? asserting that eff the Boil
shevik are spending over $4,000 month in England,
it be safely assumed that they spending
$1,000,O00 year here
Another Security League appeal offers members
chance to save Americas soul. 1t reads
Help America! America is in danger of losing
her soul The National Security League offers you the
means of putting forth your individual force to help
save it. viii you do this by giving" etc. .
A Good Salesman.
In the spring Of 1926 Major General R. L. Billiard,
President of the National Security League asking
every who served in the military and naval forces
Of the United States during the World War; become
member because revolutionary radicalism having so
much money, is boastfu of its aims side,
we'll the other side Of the world"
The Major General points out that the chief purpose
Of his League is resistance of revolutionary radcalism
and tells how the League has been in the past months
especially effective in resisting the efforts of pacfists
and religious extremists to throw military training
Of the schools and colleges
In a letter mailed about the time to Reserve
Officers he reports that hundreds Of officers of the
Army, Navy, and the National Guard have joined
If these men, realizing the need of work.
afford from their meager income, to join with u.s.
believe that you citizen and Reserve Officer will
be glad to help work in a similar way"
The appeal to fear of the reds is voiced by the
American Defense Society. It argues that:
"The efforts and dollars Of loyal citizens must be
matched with the forces Of the Reds and the large
at their disposal"
To encourage giving the leafet predicts imminent
olution, saying:
"The radicals have not yet declared open warfare
Government officials state that their information is thar
the revolution has been planned to follow the Pres
Dental election This winter G92O) will be the decisive
time for the defeat Of the Reds etc "Make
your check payable to Robert Appleton, Treas
Heroic Work.
An appeal to business telling them frankly what
the Society claimed do in the prosecution Of Commu-
niss for their political opinions is contained in the fol-
lowing paragraphs addressed the letterhead Of the
American Defense Society, April g. 1924
1T is not too much to say that the Prosecuting At
orneys greatly assisted in their successful conduct
Of the trial Of Foster and Ruhenberg leaders of the