The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-04-03
KAPPL|N TALKS At
SPRING MEETING
TELLS SPRING CONFERENCE
WHAT LEGION CAN ACCOM-
PLISH WITH PEACE TIME SER
VICE-DULUTH MAN MAKES
FINE IMPRESSION.

BY a peace-time service to COM
can Legion is keeping faith with the
soldier dead OF the world war, A. B.
Kapplin of Duluth, commander of the
Minnesota department of the Ameri-
can Legion, declared at the annual
Spring conference banquet Saturday
evening in Hotel Saint Paul The
gathering brought to close the two
day program for the Legion and Aux
iliary attended by nearly $500 officers
of the 470 posts and 400 Legion Aux
iliary units throughout Minnesota.
Let us carry on for the disabled, for
the orphans of the world war, for
better citizenship, for happier, healthier
childchildren, for international peace
on earth and goodwill among men,"
said Commander Kapplin, 80 that our
comrades in the eternal army above,
looking down on us, will say that we
caught the torch of service from them
as they fell, that we have held that
torch high, that they did not die in
vain"
Commander Kapplin was toast
master at the banque:. and spoke
ON MY Gopher Gang" outlining the
work done by the Minneota legion
mares curing the year and the pro.
gam Of the departing IL until the next
state convention at Rochester IN Aug
uSt
Speakers at the dinner included
Ralph T. O'Neil, national commander;
Floyd B. Olson, governor of Minnesota;
Charles E, Perry of Kittery Point,
Maine, grand chef de gade of the Forty
and Eight; Mrs. A. G. Carlson of Will
mar, Minnesota national vice presi
dent of the American Legion Aux
Hilary Dancing followed the addresses
and entertainment.
Commander Kapplin outlined the
work done in establishing Fairgrounds
in the small towns of the state, major
activity in the community service pro-
gram of Minnesota posts and Auxiliary
units this year. He also told about the
Gopher delegation that went to Wash
ington to appeal for more hospital
beds at Fort Smelling and st. Cloud,
and the final agreement by the house
and senate committees to appropriate
funds for incre$sd capacity in this
state.
I'VE have carried on for the disabled
for war orphans and dependents" he
said. I'VE hope to have enacted by
the state legislature law consolidating
all veterans agencies in Minnesota,
statewide boxing bill and definite
conservation code during the present
session.
These are our major measures. We
are serving our communities by help
ing educate and train the alien resi-
dents to become good useful citizens.
We are active in every civic endeavor
for the good of our towns, so that they
will be happier and healthier places in
which to live.
I'VE are helping train Boy Scout
troops. We are sponsoring junior
baseball teams, unemployment COM
mitteeS and emergency organizations.
We are building airports, Fairgrounds
and community buildings. We are
building for world peace.
"The American Legion is the
strongest, most vital force in every
community in Minnesota, not because
we served in the war, but because we
serve in peace.
''The true test of citizenship in time
of war is the wearing of the uniform Of
ones country" concluded Commander
Kapplin. And the true test Of citi-
zenship in the time of peace is service
to community, state and nation.