The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-18
GidLey Cites Eagles Social Security Role
Grand Trustee Tells LocoI Aerie Notionol Order Is Greatest InstrumentoIity For Goodwill in United States

Objectives of the Fraternal Order of Eagles must me attained in the fields of social security, juvenile de- Inquency, full employment and aid for returning servicemen in order to realize better postwar America, Norman J. Gridley of Philadelphia Grand Trustee of the Eagles address lo members of Brass City Aerie at lhe Eagles Clubhouse last night.
 Maintenance of peace will depend upon practicing the principles of brotherhood and fraternity espoused by Eagles, MT. Gidley declared. With a membership near the million mark, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, now the largest benefit paying fraternal organization in America, owes it's huge growth to its humanitarian creed and its working for social and economic betterment, the speaker said.
 "The Fraternal Order of Eagles is great melting pot" Gidley stated With the exception of the churches, it is the greatest instrumentality for good in the United States. Within our walls flows the blood stream of every nation which fought in Europe, and yet we have always lived to- gether in peace, contentment and happiness. If the world had learned to live together, as have our mem Der, there would have been no fam ing airplanes or men impaled on bayonets."
 Citing the role of the Eagles in pioneering for and achieveing state old age pensions, social security, workmen's compensation and moth CTS pensions laws, Gidley urged ex- tention of social security, as pro- posed in pending congressional leg islation, so that all Americans may be protected from an impoverished old age. He urged congressman to support pending legislation to in- clude agricultural, household, hospi- tai and seasonal workers in the So- cial Security System. These measures have been indorsed by the Eagles National Commission on Old Age Pensions and Social Security.
 The alarming increase in juvenile delinquency calls for concerted &C., tion now by Eagles, other community organizations, welfare and law en- forcement authorities, Gidley said. Eagles throughout the nation are directing their energies, through lo- cal Aerie committees, to provide a decent future for wayward children. and stand ready to cooperate in all worthy undertakings to achieve this goal, he added. Gidley pointed out that the Eagle state Aeries of Ohio, Indiana, Washington, New York and other states are sponsoring leg islative measures looking toward tn establishment of state-supported in- Stitutions for neglected children. The Eagles dormitory at Father Elan aganS Boys Town, erected by Eagles at cost of Sl60, 900 in l94i, Co house 125 youths, demonstrates the interest the organization has in the welfare of juveniles, he said.
 Turning to the subject of aid for returning servicemen, Gidley said that every veteran, despite the ben- efits the federal and state govern- ments may confer, will need. the neighborly assistance of the Eagles and other home groups for readjust- ment into community life. Local Aeries are enlisting their leaders and using their facilities to provide this aid with Welcome Home" parties, dissemination of information, help in securing employment, and other means, he pointed out. This program, too, includes letter writing and sending gifts to keep Eagle Service men fin contact with the folks in their home town"
 Postwar employment must be pro- vided for servicemen and war work CTS alike if democracy is to function unhampered and the war sacrifices are not to be in vain, Gidley as- serted. He advocated adoption of the guaranteed annual wage by indus try. & measure endorsed by the Eagles National Commission on Stimulation of Employment. as a practical way to remove the fear of job insecurity and inadequate ia- come from American homes.
 Much as the Eagles have accom- plished, we realize that much re- mains to be done to improve our na- tion and the family system" Gidley said. We know that varied and com