Smyrna times., 1950-04-06
AN OPEN LETTER
TO THE EDITOR

1O 44AAI A1CA1OAS
1t has been brought to the at
tention of the Executive Commit
tee of the David c. Harrison Post
No. IA, American Legion, Smyrna,
Delaware, that rumors are being
circulated throughout the commun-
ity which are considered detri-
mental to the good name of the
Legion. These rumors, taking the
form of malicious gossip, have
stated that "the local Legion Post
plans to build new home on
Glenwood Avenue, and when this
home is completed they expect to
open I'D bar for the sale of intox-
icating beverages" 1t has been
further slanderously reported, "that
the Legion expects to have no
trouble in securing a license for
the operation of this bar, since
member of the American Legion,
whom they know, has sufficient in
f1uence to assure the local post the
issuance of license when request
ed"
Aside from the fact that the
David C. Harrison Post No. IA,
hopes to build new home at some
future date, the balance of the
slanderous statement is definitely
untrue. 1t is indeed most unfor-
tunate1hat the person, or persons
who are responsible for having
started such false untruths, have
among their acquaintences those
who are willing to believe them.
Apparently, such is the case with
the more susceptible type of per-
sons. 1t, therefore, is deemed both
timely and advisable by the active
members of the David G. Harrison
Post No. IA, to print direct denial
of all false charges as spoken. 1t
is definitely untrue that an intox-
icating beverage license is, or has
been, planned by the local Legion
Post; either at this time, or at any
definite date in the future. Any
one who has been misinformed, or
led to believe otherwise, will know,
from this date on how questionable
is the veracity of their informant.
To substantiate the facts as out
lined above, and thereby give the
public a clearer understanding of
how the Legion Post acted in an
effort to forestall such false rumor
over two years ago, it may now be
said. "The David C. Harrison Post
No. IA, went on record, through a
regular motion from the floor to
prohibit any discussion, (either for
or against) the question of having
a bar in the newly proposed Home
That any controversy of this ma
ture must necessarily wait until
such time when the proposed Home
would be completely finished and
the rooms therein equipped or furn.
sshed for occupancy" This motor
stands to-day in the same form a:
it did on the night it was origin
ally passed. No attempt has beer
made to change either its meaning
or purpose.
Despite all the forethought, ant
unusual precautions taken by tn
Legion, malicious gossip has beel
circulated for the purpose of harm
ing the good name of the American
Legion in this community.
Quite naturally. all good Legion
naires deeply resent such unbound
ed slander. Therefore, their frs
act is to make public this letter t
the Editor of Smyrna Times, ashin
him to cooperate with the Legio
by printing same in the next issu
of his newspaper. If additional ac
ton is required to stop this ur
founded slanderous gossip, differ
.ent type of approach will be useC
Certainly, it is quite possible t
do constructive community servic
an this portion of the United State
without having to put up with
few disgruntled persons, VIII
would tear down the good name {
the American Legion.
Signed,
LEE f. SLAUGHTER,
Commando