Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-26
Many Ex-Members Of the District
Regiment Need Work.
RECENT PUBLIC PROMISES RECALLED
A Volunteer Makes a Plain State
ment of Facts.
SUGGESTIONS SUBMITTED

When wars alarm first startled the
world last year no community under the
| stars and stripes showed q more eager and
enthusiastic desire to give substantial sup
port to the. cause Of humanity than that
which comprises the population of the ma
tons capital city. There was animation
| in all directions and the bosom that didn't
| sport flag was regarded with critical
giances, to say the least The sentimental
and the practical went hand in hand to-
gether, which was shown most emphatdcal-
ly when the gallant thousand Of brave Dis
triot boys went marching away in the uni
forms Of the United States army. While
they were at Camp A1ger, Chickamauga,
Tampa and Santiago organizations and in
dividuals sent them delicacies and good
| things to supply the deficiencies necessary
| in camp life. When the regiment returned
to Montauk, its ranks bent by sickness and
starvation. the Washington public gener-
ously came to their assistance with SYM
pathy In the shape of substantial succor.
The homecoming In September was an
ovation, tremendous and inspiring, and
through all the rejoicing ran the determine
ton to help the returning soldiers who
might need help, not by aims and charity,
out by giving employment to those who
needed 1t. A few of the soldiers were in
deed, given positions, but with the distribu-
ton OF the medals at Convention Hall there
SSSihCd " COME d sudden cessation Oh
substantial appreciation for those who had
80 Worth1ly deserved to wear them.
Scores Need Employment.
So 1t is a fact today that scores of the
men who went to the front as representa-
tives of the District of Columbia are now
without means to obtain a livelihood.
Many of these are eager and willing to do
anything honorable to secure for them
selves the actual necessaries of life. but
despite the general Improvement in all
lines of business which is being voiced on
every side their efforts to secure employ
ment seemed fated to disappointment.
One of these unfortunate young men
talked over the situation with Star re-
porter one day recently.
Don't you think he inquired, that 1t
would be a good thing for the business
men of this great city to fulfill their kind
and generous promises to give the ex-mem-
bers OF the LIST District Volunteers en-
ployment? We who are in dire need of it
would gladly accept it, l assure You.
Last Year and Now.
''On our return home nothing was too
good for us. Every man. it was declared
would be given work to do. Did we get It?
No, simply because the promises were not
kept save In a few scattered cases. 1t has
struck me forcibfy that the saying How
soon we are foreotten' Is very applicable
to us in this regard. The great, comfort
able public may think it's an easy task to
ma employment DUt II S not. Many OF u.s.
know, will take anything in the way of
work that we can get Many of our men
left good positions to go to the front. When
they came back did their former employ
ers remember their verbal declarations to
give the boys Jobs when they returned?
Some did, but others didn't. 1t has, no
doubt taught many Of us O. good lesson
as far as the future and business pros
poets are concerned. E. There are numbers
OF the eX-rnembers out of employment like
myself. and who. like ME, will be willing
to accept any chance that anywhere near
fair or reasonable
The eX-volunteer spoke earnestly and 1t
was plainly evident that he meant every
word he said
Major Sylvester Reviews Situation.
Maj. Richard Sylvester the chairman Of
the citizens committee having in charge
the reception to the regiment. and who has
shown such devoted interest in the matter
of securing employment for the eX-mem-
bers of the command who worthy of be-
ing helped talked with Star reporter this
afternoon.
The sick men Of the regiment and those
in absolute want are, you are aware, be-
ing taken care of now" said Maj Sylvester
"a very active committee, composed Of
Mrs. Margaret Dickins, Mrs. Hatch and
Miss Clay, have given up their entire time
ever since the regiment returned to the work
of furnishing food, fuel medicines and del
icaces such as the sick require, and there
have been some very distressing cases
among them. One was particularly So
A member of the regiments limbs became
paralyzed, and he was helpless for weeks
and is so still. Everything possible has
been done for him, and through the instru-
mentality Of the wife Of a prominent sena-
tor pension Of s72 per month was secured
for him. which has greatly lghtened his
heart. There is another case where two
brothers, sons of a late prominent lawyer
in Washington. were furnished nurses and
sickness and distress. These are only two
of numerous cases We have furnished, in
deed. overriding from milk to money.
Through the committee on employment
work obtained for about thirty-two
people out of 102 applicants" continued
Major Sylvester. Many Of those who
might have had employment were incap-
able of taking it by reason of the broken
condition of their health. and on the other
hand the chairman Of this committee re-
ported to me as chairman of the whole
promised to give employment to our vol
unteers were not prepared to do So for one
reason or another. when called upon to
fulfill their promises
II called on Gen. Harries some days ago
and asked him to have the captains of the
companies who went to Cuba report 70 him
any cases of distress or necessity among
the families of the volunteers where The
committee could be of assistance
MANY of the ex-soldiers now out of
work are unable to perform hard labor by
reason of their weakened constitutions"
said Major Sylvester, in conclusion, land
while 1 do not know the number Of them
who need employment and are equal to it.
/ expect there are many. 1t would be we'll
If the appreciation manifested for these
men at the time they returned from Cuba
| is not forgotten during these piping times
of peace.'
Mr.. Puah's Interest.
Assistant District Attorney Jas. l.. Pugh
! has been interesting himself in behalf of
several worthy ex-members Of the District
regiment who have been unable to secure
employment. "TheTe are many deserving
cases among the volunteers" he said to-
day. land I believe special efforts should
be made to give these men work Since the
enthusiasm over their returning has SUBJ
sided there appears to have been little at
tention paid to- our soldier boys. II seems
to me that Washington owes 1t to herself
to make exeStions tn behalf Of its represen-
tatives at the front THO are now in need of
something to do. d
Inquest Not Necessary.