Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-14
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

"For God and Country, we associate
ourselves together for the following
purposes:
ITO uphold and defend the Constitu-
ton Of the United States of America
to maintain law and order; to foster
and perpetuate a 100 per cent Amer
icaniSm, etc.
All the other pledges and ideals set
forth in the preamble of the constitu-
ton OF the American Legion are in di-
rect harmony with the above-enunci-
ated phrases. So the American Legion
shuts its doors against atheists, gang
sters, lawbreakerS and hyphenateS,
while 1t welcomes all veterans of the
World War who continue to be law
abiding, God-fearing American patriots.
There is not a word in the constitution
making 1t champion of "militarism, -
but 1t opposes "slackerism," whether
during war or peace, while intoxicating
sense of individual obligation to the
community, State and Nation" "to pro-
mote peace and good will on earth" and
Ito consecrate and sanctify our COM
radeship by devotion to mutual help
fulnesS."
Today, this organization numbers
more than 100000 members, with LOO
posts, spotting the entire country
There has never before been in Ameri-
ca so strong and national an organiZa-
ton of any class of citizens as the
American Legion. The Grand Army OF
the Republic never held so nationwide
a position, however 1t may have set the
example for the later patriotic organi-
cation; for the G. A. r. could not in
clude the veterans of the Confederate
Army, while with the Legion there is no
North, no South, no East nor West
Neither is there any distinction of
rank: all members are "buddies, ~
whether Gen. Pershing or the most
humble doughboy who never got be-
yond his home camp Gen. PerShing is
an active member of the pioneer Legion
post, and a member of its board of
directors controlling it's headquarters
building.
There is no region in America where
the development of the American
Legion has been so atrophied as in the
National Capital. Sometimes this is
explained by the floating" character
of our population. 1t is estimated that
in the District of Columbia there are
not fewer than $1,000 eligible veterans
who might be members of the Legion
while the actual membership in the %
posts is less than 5000.
Next Tuesday, there will be 100
Legionnaires who volunteer to devote
their entire day to a membership drive
among the eligibles, and for the fol-
lowing two weeks this city will learn
of the purposes of the modern peace
army, sworn ito combat the autocracy
of both the classes and the masses" and
ito safeguard and transmit to posterity
the principles of justice, freedom and
democracy"
X X X X
The District commander. Harlan
Wood, is determined not only to reach
the quota assigned to the District of Co.
lumbia for the coming year, $500, but
then to add at least 1000 besides. The
mere incident of his being a successful
practicing lawyer seems to have passed
out of his mind, while he is devoting Is
to 80 hours day to the plans and pur-
poses of the trust given him as head of
the American Legion in the National
Capital. His enthusiasm and organic
ing ability have stimulated unprece-
dented interest among Legionnaires.
Many silver trophies and other prizes
are dazzling the eyes of the posts for
increases in membership within the
next two weeks but of surprising inter-
est is the spirit of Legion accomplish
ments, according to the ideals set forth
in the constitution and in the ten years
practice since the Legion came into ex-
istence.
X X X X
The germ of the American Legion
originated in the city of Washington
through the initiative of Col. E. Lester
Jones. head of the United States Coast
and Geodetic Survey. He called meet
ing of veterans which was held in the
Cosmos Club in February, 1919, to Con-
slider the need of an organization of
veterans, and at that preliminary meet
| ing there was issued call for an organ
izing meeting at the same place on