that city like all other Legion members stand for one hundred per cent, simon-pure patriotism and regardless of party, he who does not “measure up” had best beware.  The Legion, as the Legion, never will endorse a political party or a party’s candidate for office.  But it will have platforms, it will have tenets, it will have principles.  These platforms, tenets, and principles will be seen, felt, heard, and heeded by the voters of the United States.  Furthermore, these platforms, tenets, and principles will be supported regardless of political party, political affiliations, or partisan sponsorship.

CHAPTER IX

OBJECTORS—­CONSCIENTIOUS AND OTHERWISE

The first of the committee reports of the morning was that of the Publication Committee.  This report is perhaps not so interesting a document now as it may be in later years, when, with a circulation of millions weekly, the official organ will be a tremendous power for Americanism throughout the country, spreading in every home, in every vale and hamlet the same dragnet of Americanism as the draft law did, having in its tentacles the same power for culture, breadth of experience, and abolition of sectionalism.

In view of this, the report possesses tremendous potentialities.  Here it is: 

“The Committee on Publication recommends that this caucus of the American Legion inaugurate a national publication which shall be the Legion’s exponent of Americanism; that this, the sole and only publication of the American Legion, be owned and directed by the Legion for and in the interest of all Americans; that the Publication Committee be continued that it may proceed as organized with the details of founding this publication, with the advice and under the control of the Executive Committee of the American Legion which shall add such specially qualified members to the Publication Committee as it may see fit; that this publication shall be a National, nonpartisan, non-sectional organ for the service of the American people, a champion of Americanism which means independence, security, health, education, greater contentment, and progress for every patriot, to be the torch, the beacon light thrown into our hands by the Americans who fell, and held as a unique and living monument to that other legion which did not come back.

  “(Signed) G.P.  PUTNAM, Chairman.
  “CHARLES D. KELLEY, Secretary.”

As an aside it may be interesting to say that there were at least half a dozen publishers, some with veteran journals already started, in St. Louis with the most alluring offers.  Each wanted to have his publication designated as the official organ.  Several other propositions were made, one syndicate offering to publish the magazine, bear the entire expense, give the Legion fifty per cent. of the stock, and allow it to control the editorial policy.  All the syndicate wanted was the official endorsement.  From other quarters