THE LEGION AND ELLIS ISLAND

Slowly, but surely, by accident or design, the American Legion is being relegated to the ranks of the "have-beens." The newest attack upon its efforts toward active existence has recently been successfully carried out by Assistant Secretary of Labor Post, in his refusal even to consider the Legion's plan for Americanization at Ellis Island. All that the Legion asked, according to former Police Commissioner Arthur Woods, of New York, the Chairman of the new Americanization Committee, was that it be furnished with the names and prospective addresses of all immigrants entering the United States through Ellis Island, in order that the local Legion Posts might be kept informed as to the whereabouts of the aliens in their districts. It was then planned to assist and instruct those new-comers, through the work of the local posts, in learning the true meaning of America and its ideals.

A thoroughly progressive plan has been worked out in every detail and is ready to be set in motion at any time. Yet the government, through Secretary Post, refuses to give it recognition, on the grounds that it would disturb and over crowd the work already going on at Ellis Island.

Mr. Post has entirely mistaken the meaning of the Legion's request whether purposely or not it is impossible to say. There is no intention of sending workers to Ellis Island in person; nor of carrying on any activities under the feet of the already overburdened officials. A more list of names and addresses, such as might be run off easily on any multi-graphing machine, constitutes the sum total of the extra work required. Surely such a request is not beyond the bounds of human effort.

An important movement is at stake. It has long been admitted that the lack of assimilation in America is a grievous one; that without serious effort America will never become more than a kaleidoscopic chess-board of nationalities. This movement of the American Legion is the first completely planned, nation-wide scheme of Americanization to be brought before the government. Is it to fall because of a misunderstanding, or because of Mr. Post's personal dislike of the Legion which at its last convention demanded his resignation? Petty trifles have too long stood in the way of national progress. The Legion's plan should be put through.