The San Francisco call., 1896-02-20
GRAND ARMY MEN
. ARE UP IN ARMS,
Old Soldiers Aroused Over
the YOuntville Man
agement.
A CALL TO THE STATE.
Governor Budd Asked TO InveS-
tigate Charges Against
the Directors.
SOME SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS.
Lyon Post of Oakland Leads in g
Movement That Will Arouse the
Entire Coast.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, }

90S Broadway, Feb. 10.
WHEREAS, 1t is alleged and believed by many
Grand Army men and others:
First-Tnat the board of directors of the Vet
erans' Home at Yountville have for a long
time paid salary of 5000 year to one of
their number as treasurer of the Veteran s
Home Association when the bylaws OF the as
sociation state that no director member
shall receive any compensation for services
rendered the home.
Second-That the treasurer has now under
his control over $4,000 OF pension money be-
longing TO veterans at the home, and receives
quarterly for the use of the home more than
SI1 900 from the State and about $I4, 900
from the United States, while his bond, the
cost of which is paid TO the Surety Company,
is only $4,000.
Third-That the directors maintain an office
in San Francisco at an annual expense of about
$4,000, which is supported from funds fur
nished by the State and National governments
solely for the maintenance of INDECENT and dis
abled soldiers, and where no business is trans
acted that could not be done at the home with
out extra charge, as customary in State insti-
tutions.
Fourth-That the directors have lately reno
waited and furnished five OF the best rooms at
the home for their private use, at cost of
about 5000, and paid the bills for these i'm
provements with money appropriated for the
OiQ soldiers, many OF WnOm are unCOm1OrlaDly
domiciled and in want of conveniences.
Fifth-That the directors maintain and sane
tion a saloon at the home, where whisky,
brandy, gin and other intoxicating drinks are
sold TO members and civilians, when the by
laws of the association say that mo alcoholic
or distilled liquors shall be sold upon the
grounds controlled by the association or in any
building upon the grounds"
Sixth-That the directors carry wines and
liquors upon the home premises at viii, keep
the same in their private rooms, visit the
hospital dispensary early and often for free
drinks, and allow themselves to be seen on the
grounds in state of intoxication, when their
own rules forbid membe of the home TO visit
saloons or other drinking places within two
miles OF the home grounds, 10 buy or accept
intoxicating drinks within said two miles, to
bring such drinks upon the grounds or into
the buildings thereon, or in any way become
intoxicated, under penalty of discharge from
the home.
Seyenth-That the directors have constructed
sewers which lead from more than twenty
buildings and carry daily about 10, 900 gallons
OF filth into branch of Napa Creek short
distance above the domestic water supply OF
the City of Napa, scattering seeds of disease
and death among hundreds of families.
Eighth-That the directors habitually favor
personal friends in business matters concern
home interests, as in the painting of the build
.ngs last summer, when a certain comrade of
George H. Thomas Post was appointed super.
inteRdent and paid 81 so per day, with board
while the hard-working contractor and his
men received but 81 80 day and board-the
superintendent's wages amounting to more
than 90 per cent OF the contract price of 1910
and his duties being so light that several mem
bers OF the home better qualified than him
self would gladly have performed them
al the rate OF SO a month: and also, in
the matter OF supplies when a director who
buys largely for the home was able to sell hi:
prune crop of 1894 direct to the home at the
highest market price, and to get his last year
crop into the home through the firm having
the contract to furnish that articie-the formel
transaction being criminal offense; and this
partiality is further shown in the erection o.
the two large buildings approaching compile
ton on the home grounds to be paid sor chiefly
with funds appropriated only for the mainten
ance OF the veterans-the plans originally pre-
pared by the officers and experienced carpenter.
OF the home, for buildings to cost about sly,
900, being replaced by Others more ornamental
though no more commodious or seryiceable
and designed at an increased expense of fully
$4,000 by the architect and superintendent
appointed by friendly directors.
Nlnth-That the directors used some of the
funds appropriated by the State and Congres.
for the maintenance of veterans in lobbying
at the legislative sessions of 1898 and 1895 tc
obtain continuance of the home annual al
lowance OF $45, 900, and also to defeat the acts
OF 1895, calling for bids and contracts for the
home supplies and for the abolishing of the
super1uous Office in San Francisco.
Tenth-That the directors have disposed o.
the special State appropriation of $50 900 made
in March, 1895, as follows: About S23, 900 fol
poorly adapted general dining hall and two
private residences for the commandant and
medical director, respectively; about $I7 ,OOC
hocus-pocused into the home treasury to re-
place the stealings of Treasurer Royce and hi:
partners; and about $4,000 used to liquidate
old debts of the board; whereas, the whole Of
this appropriation intended for perma
nent improvements on the home grounds fol-
the uee of the old soldiers
Eleventh-That George H. Thomas Post No. 9
o. A r., has usurped the control of the Veter
ans Home, having secured all the command
ants but the last, all the treasurers, all the sec
Tetarles coming from the Grand Army, and
many other officials, while posts that have
labored faithfully for the veterans have practi