Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-23

the front page IS inscribed: ITO Jacob s.
Coxey, the servant of the Lord Jesus
Christ: Galveston, Texas" and just be-
low: "And who is he that will harm you, IL
ye be followers Of that which Is good. A
leaf has been turned down in the book
and the passage marked In Matthew: Give
Us this day our daily bread
SMITH, "THE UNKNOWN
He Comes to Washington to Look
Over the Ground.
Shortly after o'clock today. and Just as
the committee on public comfort of the
Coxey commonweal had adjourned. an i'm
posing figure entered the headquarters at
Rechabites' Hall, and strolled through the
apartment toward the platform. The first
person to recognize him was Star repor-
ter The newcomer was Unknown Smith,
q man who had been assistant head center
Of Gen. Coxey's army from the time 1t left
Massillon. Ohio. until he was deposed from
command, owing to a misunderstanding
with Carl Brown just beyond Cumberland
The Unknown was clad in a brown vel
trousers and wore black leather leggins and
fine shoes.
A heavy blue overeoat waas thrown back.
displaying a massive gold chain that encir-
cled his neck and was anchored in his
pocket by a heavy gold watch that he look
ed at as he walked in. Blue cloth cap rest
ed on the splendidly formed head and a
pair Of intelligent blue eyes peered inquir-
fngly from. beneath its peak. He was very
willing to converse. and in talking dis
played dropping cartilage from the right
underside OF his upper lip. He said he had
Just driven from Rockville and was accom-
panied by his secretary, young man nam
ed Childs. who has been with him ever
since he has left the main army. He said
the purpose of his visit to Washington was
merely to look over the ground here and
u mo hafr al ed
for the accommodation of the army when
II reached here. He talked well and used
excellent English. with Just the slightest
twist Of German accent, and the language
ne chose was that Of an educated man who
had read considerably and with much dis
elimination
What He Has Done Since He Left the
Army.
After reciting the causes which led to tie
misunderstanding between Browne and
himself, which eventually resulted in his
deposition from the command, the I'm
known went on to say that all stories
about personal difficulty between himself
and Browne were false in every particular.
NUMBERS OF the men had desired to follow
him when he left camp, but in every in
stance he sent them back, and told them
tnat their proper course was to remain
ership Of Mr.. Coxey and Mr.. Browne He
had pursued the same course with the de-
serters who came to him at Frederick. II
went anead OF the main army, as the
papers nave said, but my sole object was to
conciliate the people in the towns through
Wnicn II would pass. and smooth the way
for its reception.
have never for an instant given I'D one
whit of my zeal and devotion for the grand
principles which the Coxey movement rep
resents. 1t Is my desire to have the slight
ainerences existing between Mr.. Coxey and
MI Browne and myself settled, in order
tnat all the various parties now headed to-
ward Washington, and the different leaders
may come together and enter the city in
one large. peaceful, orderly and well-dis-
cfplined body. Col. Redstone of this city
saw me in Frederick last night. We spent
several hours together. and / told him just
exactly what 1 have told you, that my
deep interest in the success of the move
ment could not possibly be affected by any
personal disappointment I might feel at
the treatment / had received. Col Red
stone Is today in consultation with the
main body officials, with a view to smooth
ing over any misunderstanding that may
exist between them and myself. and have
great hopes that he will succeed. In the
vicinity Of Rockville. where 1 have estab-
lished my present headquarters, there are
between 500 and 600 members of the COM
monweal. and they all recognize me as
their leader. and are under my orders"
Where are they encampedT' inquired the
reporter.
His Men Near Rockville.
There Is no general camping ground at
present." responded the Unknown. They
are divided up into small parties, moving
around through the country and living OF
of II. A good many of them are near Oh
ney. They are peaceful and orderly and are
neither marauding or injuring anybody or
anything 1t Is my intention to keep my
men out Of Washington until the main
army comes along. 1 would not under any
circumstances do anything to injure the
cause of the commonweal 1 regard Mr.
Coxey as the supreme leader, and all de-
sire Is to have our differences settled so
that all the men can come in together I'M
der his command In any case, whether
am recognized again or not, shall do moth
ing to affect the success Of the great move
ment.
IF Col. Rdstone's mission fails will wait
until Coxey's army comes along and then
fall IN behind IL. / am for the common
veal first. last and all the time, and have
no inclinations other than for the ultimate
success OF the great principles II represents.
You may say, In a word, that am COM
ing into Washington with a large body of
men, who are as enthusiastic as myself
In the championship Of the Coxey princi-
pies. They are peaceable. law-abiding citi-
zens, and the community here need have
no fear OF any trouble arising from their
visit shall return to Rockville In a few
minutes and win continue to keep my
headquarters there for a day or two any
how. My wife Is there with me-"
A Meeting This Afternoon,
The committee on public comfort held a
meeting In Rechibites' Hall this afternoon.
Mr.. J. A. Dewitt presided. Mr.. A. Tregina
was secretary. and the others present were
George A Cook. Rev. Alexander Kent, Mrs.
q. NJ Belt. George ]. E. Mayer. Mrs Clara
b Colby, Mrs. Susan B. Woodward. Mrs.
sidney Maitoy and Mrs. A. Tregina.
Will Appeal to the Citizens.
II was decided to prepare an appeal to the
citizens Of Washington asking them to
pledge themselves to subscribe, through
the treasurer. Sidney Maltby, and the other
members of the committee, money, food
or supplies OF any character, to aid in
sustaining the commonweal upon its ar
rival and during its stay in Washington.
Rev. Alexander Kent announced that he
would take up a subscription next Sunday
at his church. which would be devoted to
the support Of the commonweal, and sub
scribed $40 In person at the meeting in aid
or the project A letter was also sent to
the District Commissioners asking per-
mission to hold meetings from a tally-ho
coach at 9TH and he avenue on Thursday
and Friday evenings of this week. and also
10 mold one In front Of the coutr house, OF
a. Ith and the avenue on Saturday even
ihg- The objects OF these meetings being
70 interest the public in contributing help
10 the bands OF unemployed" who are now
marching on Washington.