The Bismarck tribune., 1934-07-03
In the Right Direction


matter herein are also reserved.
In the Right Direction
North Dakotas American Legion
meeting in convention next week a
Fargo, has an opportunity to strike
an effective blow in the cause o1
peace as well as of national security.
Pacifistic "pinks" long have labeled
the great veterans organization a
one with militaristic tendencies
Nothing could be farther from the
truth.
The men who served in the World
war are. Of course, proud Of that
service. It is the thing which binds
them together In the American Le-
gion and other service organizations
But there is no general tendency, on
the part Of war veterans, to capitalize
on that service. It is true that some
would seek to collect improper bene-
fits from generous government, but
these are the exceptions which prove
the general rule that there is no finer
type Of citizenship anywhere than ex-
lists among the men who fought for
the nation in its hour Of need.
The war veterans should clean up
their own back yard and they are
doing so. AS class they approved,
rather than resisted, revision of the
unfair practices which had been de-
vised by politicians in an effort to
garner veteran votes. Their fight for
benefits to the man disabled in serv-
ice and for needy widows and chill
dren Of war veterans Is a just one.
But attention to these affairs In
the past has diverted the Legion's
attention from major service which
it should perform for the nation. It
Is encouraging now that the trend of
the veteran mind Is again toward
establishment in America Of a system
which will 60 far toward preserving
peace-and make US an effective
force in the event of war. Curiously
enough, the thing they propose will
achieve both ends.
This IS the adoption by the nation
Of q universal service" act which
would marshal the entire resources OF
the nation for use in the event OF
hostilities.
The aim Of the proposal is con-
tanned in q statement issued by the
national headquarters Of the Legion
as follows:
"The Legion adheres to the
principle of universal service in
time Of war, contending that only
thereby can the inequalities Of
the burden of war be reduced as
between those who serve with the
armed forces and those who serve
in civilian capacity.
I'VE recognize further that no
form Of legislation can ever re-
duce the hardShips Of war or the
economic losses suffered by those
called upon to defend the nation
in combat.
las to the economic cost of war
and the cost Of war in human
life and human suffering there
can be no comparison.
I'VE advocate law OF univer-
sal draft: It will take the profit
out Of war and thereby aid in
preventing war. In the event Of
war it will equalize the economic
and physical burden upon all the
people, and it will make our ma
tional effort unified and effective.
THE national rehabilitation
committee, after Is years Of ef-
fort to aid human sterilization in
the aftermath of war, deeply and
sincerely advocates the adoption
by the congress Of q fair and
equitable plan for the utilization
Of all resources in national con-
flict; with equal obligation and
opportunity for service for all and
with special profit and privilege
for none."
Enactment Of such q measure
would do more to halt propaganda
for war than anything else. It would
make the people reluctant to enter
war, unity them in prosecuting it
to . successful conclusion If conflict
came.
It would rid the nation OF the pro-
fessional patriots who cheer the flag
- it goes by at the head Of q column
Of marching men, then rack their
brains to see how profits can be
made from national emergency.
Its enactment by congress would
be . master stroke toward lasting
peace.
We Must Support i
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