The National tribune., 1886-04-08
VETERANS FRIENDS.
The Bureau of Employment and Emer-
gency Fund.

4 Very Useful Branch Of Grand Army Work-A
Review OF Its Operations, with Sketches OF lis
Present Officers.
Brooklyn Union.l
There is, perhaps no body in this city which
has accomplished as much genuine good work
as has the Memorial and Executive Committee
of the Grand Army of the Republic of Kings
County. This body was organized in 1866, d.
rectly after the close of the war, and COM
prises 50 members, representing the 20 Posts OF
the GAR in this County This committee
was originally formed for the purpose of ar
ranging the Memorial services for Decoration
Day. 1t met but once year to elect OIL
GERS and prepare the ceremonies. Gradually,
however, the necessity of a body being formed
to protect the interests of the members of the
GAR. became apparent, and some three years
since the committee was reorganized into
REGULAR WORKING BODY,
although it was not until April, 1885, that it
received its charter, giving it all the functions
of corporation. At the election held year
ago the following offers were chosen: Fred
Cocheu, Grand Marshal; Benjamin F. Colt,
Chairman; James McLeer, First Vice-Chair-
man; Henry w. Hughes, Second Vice-Chair-
man; Thomas J. Hanan Third ice-Chairman;
A. ii. Frost, Recording Secretary; Thomas
Bel, Corresponding Secretary; Henry A. Phil
lips Treasurer. The body is divided into
various subcommittee. the most important of
which is the Bureau of Employment and Emer-
sency Fund of which Z. A. Dudley is Chair
man. The others are: Committees of Public
Ceremonies and Cemeteries, Pensions, Legisla-
ton, Press and Printing, Public Monument,
Transportation, Music, Flowers, Finance and
Auditing. The Bureau of Employment and
Emergency Fund was proposed by Gen.
McLeer, seconded by Messrs. Dudley, Walker,
Phillips, Perry, Little, and many others. To
their credit be it said, that since its start the
interest of these gentlemen has never for an
instant tagged. The necessity for bureau of
this character was daily made apparent by the
number of men who paraded the streets, beg
ging aims, who wore the uniform of blue, and
who perhaps had served their country well.
Many of these were frauds, who imposed upon
the charity of the public. To-day, however,
not one is TO be seen upon the public high
ways soliciting assistance In order, however,
to carry on their work, it was necessary that
FUNDS SHOULD BE RAISED.
The Rev. T. De Witt Talmage was appealed
to. He readily promised to assist Them and
on the Sabbath preceding Decoration Day
he preached sermon on behalf Of the SOL
dierS and took up a collection for the bureau.
Nor did he stop here. He had Just received
$500 from Colorado miner, with the direc-
ton that it abe spent in the cause of
God" This he divided, giving one-half to
the bureau and the remainder to aid in
crate soldiers. The most important and lib
eral contribution to the bureau was the sum
of over $500, the proceeds of benefit sale by
the dry goods firm of Hurd Waite & Co. Under
existing laws many charitable bodies are cnti-
tied 10 participate in the distribution OF the
excise funds in proportion to the number of
persons aided during the year. Due appiica-
ton was made TO the Mayor, Comptroller. Au-
ditor, Supervisor at-Large and County Treas
urer, and the result was that the sum of $l00.26
was appropriated TO the bureau through its
parent body-the Memorial and Executive
Committee. Shortly afterwards an entertain
ment was given by the Sd Calling Battery,
n. G.S. n. Y, which Melted the bureau a con-
siderable sum, as did also a benefit given by the
proprietors of the Brooklyn Roller Skating
Rink
With the money thus raised great deal of
suffering among the families of disabled soldiers
was alleviated. number of instances might
be quoted, in which the hand of charity, thus
nobly stretched forth, has rescued from the
very depths of despair some poor soldier who,
after having honorably served his country, and
perhaps lost limb in the service, was cruelty
cast aside to linger along in want and perjury.
The facilities OF the committee, however, for
raising finds 70 continue their noble work
were rather limited, and there seemed prcba-
bility Of the bureau falling into disrepute by
their constant solicitations for means to carry
on their work. In order to obviate this and to
release them from the necessity of engaging in
enterprises and schemes which would lay them
open to the charge OF being chronic beggars,"
it was deemed advisable to invite a committee
of well-knOwn citizens to visit their headquar-
tiers, Room II, City Hall, and make a thorough
examination Of
THE METHODS OF THE BUREAU
for carrying out their plans for relieving the
families of the needy or disabled soldiers who
had haa ly Il iS1lpo
tee accordingly visited the rooms OF the bureau
Dee. IL, 1885, and the result of their exainina-
ton is set forth by themselves in the follow
ing:
Tot.e Bureau Of Employment and Emergency Fund.
GAR:
GENTLEMEN: In compliance with your request
that we make a thorough examination into the
affairs of your bureau the method of ASSISTING, the
worthy and deserving veterans Of the war in need
oil help ana the WIDOWS and orphans OF deceased
veterans, and if upon such examination we find it
worthy OF commentator, 20 enIbody our views in
writing, we report as follows:
The bureau gTatuitOusly aids soldiers and sailors
of tie late war; well The widows and children
of those deceased to present proper applications
for pensions, and proffers advice in a kindly and
courteous manner very gratifying to the feelings of
the tiInid and retiring.
The method of detecting those pretending 10 be
soldiers Is very perfect. and it is almost impossible
for anyone to evade the scrutiny of the investgat
ing officials. We most earnestly commend The
advice Of the bureau TO the public refuse all ap-
pcations for assistance TO persons protesting TO be
veterans, and refer them to Room No. IA CITY Hall
As far its funds have permitted, the bureau has
accomplished a good work in furnishing medical
attendance, clothing, pecuniary assistance, and
other temporary ald ia various ways TO deserving
applicants. IN short find thai the money at It's
disposal has been we'll and wisely expended
The system adopted for procuring; employment
for those veterans children of veterans who are
able to work appears u be well devised aud could
be largely extended with most beneficial results
Tie principle that none but those having good
record recommended, and the fact that when
employment Is furnished any subsequent irre2JI-
lsrity or inisbchavior sreporec back to the bureau
has salutary effect upon the employe.
AS u means OF Information TO the public we
brief iabulated statement of the worl. il has ac-
compilsIied; also, that Its accounts be submitted
periodically for examination to d committee of ci-
zens 10 be selected for that purpose.
We commend the bureau 10 the hearty supnort
OF charitable fellow citizens who desire 10 aid
the soldiers and sailors of the late war resident in
Brooklyn, and who now in S: raence. circur,l-
stances. The bureau seeks employment for the
abe-bodied, assists the modest and retiring needy
ones who shrink from becoming burden 10 the
Commissioners of Public Charities and effect al!y
dIsposes Of the impostors who bring disgrace upon
the name Of veteran.
WIZ G. Low
JOSEPH T. KNAPP,
Il. l.. MoLINEUx,
ALFRED T. WHITE,
l.. S. BURSHAM
This document was duly printed as was also
Subscription blank, and copies were mailed
TO the citizens of Brooklyn and those persons
outside OF the city who were known to feel
kindly disposed toward the GAR. In RESPONSE
to This cry for helm tha huraau hoe ,ooa;.,ol