The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-10-02
The Legion AS the
Savior" of
Capitalism

THE National Convention of the American
Legion, which was held in Detroit, Mich
reflected with the utmost clearness the deep
ening of the economic crisis the intensification
of the class struggle as American imperialist
economy becomes more involved in the general
decay of capitalism, causing more unemploy-
ment, hunger, suffering and misery of the mas
ses, the inlminence of more terrible world
slaughter as result of the growth of the i'm
perialist antagonisms, and also the decisive role
that the American Legion will play as the
staunch upholder of capitalist institutions and
the fascist vanguard
Detroit resembled military camp with
thousands of uniformed Legionaires walking or
riding in flag-bedecked automobiles thru the
streets, which were decorated with bunting and
flags of all descriptions. The whole downtown
area was congested with traffic watching or max
ing way for the detachmentS of Legionaires
marching to the beat of drums or perhaps the
numerous police cars with shreiking sirens con-
trolling and regulating the orgy" Numerous
platforms, bandstands, booths tents ETC., are
erected in readiness for the parade of the bud
dies" the air was full of noise from automobile
eXhausts, crackers, playing bands and the yells
and shouts OF LegionaireS who did not take pro-
hibition seriously. The newspapers contained long
articles on the heroic deeds of this or that gem
eral, commander or officer, glowing accounts
were painted Of the courageous American, troops
which fought for Democracy" or appeals to the
Legionaires to continue their role in peace time
as the defenders of our "high ideals and noble
institutions"
Thus the stage is set to misrepresent the true
reality of war, which means torn and mangled
bodies, the sickening stencil of the trenches the
constant fear of death, the misery and suffer-
ing occasioned to millions of the mothers wives
sweethearts and children Of the working class
behind the lines, to hide the hideous fact that
war fought for democracy" is to perpetuate
the capitalist system Of profits at the expense
OF the lives and blood of millions of the work.
ing class.
While this war spirit and patriotism is being
fostered, every attempt is being made to create
the impression that the National Convention of
the American Legion as "the voice of the Nation"
wiz lead to the betterment of the conditions
OF the working class, whose pauperization is now
rapidly taking place.
That the Convention had another purpose
other than that of ending the suffering of the
broad masses of the working class will be seen
from the important points on the agenda with
which the Convention occupied most of its
time
These are the bonus demand, unemployment
relief prohibition, National Defense and-Com-
munism, thus bringing into sharp relief the
issues which so vitality concern United States
Imperialism or are brought forward to hood
wink the millions of the proletariat
Already the Legion has gone on record as de-
manding the building of more battleships, more
military training in the schools and greater
military preparedness. President Hoover followed
by former Secretary Of War; Baker, voiced the
tone OF the Convention, the whole conduct of
which will play an important part in the war
preparations and future imperialist polcies OF
the Wall Street government
Gone will be the fear of the pacfists, as num-
erouS bishops and other high religious officials
who habitualy make paci1st utterances, we're
present to pay their respects to the American
Legion as the capitalist military cadre and in
stead express their patriotism and defense of the
capitalist system of exploitation and slavery.
That Communism will receive major consid-
Grafton gIaringly stated by the DAILY Mir
ror" in front page headlines, and which in the
same issue stated, "our next President will be
war President and even greater than Will
son, Lincoln or Washington"
American finance capitalism realizes that the
only obstacle to It's imperialist war preparations