Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-02
APPEALS TO COURT
GEN. MEACHAM'S SUIT AGAINST
GEN. DYRENFoRTH.
Troubles Of q. v. U. Eventuate in
Proceedings for Injunction
Origin Of the War.

Something OF a sensation has been
created in Union Veterans Union circles
by the filing late yesterday afternoon Of an
application for injunction by Gen. John
F. Meacham against Gen. Robert St.
George Dyrenforth and Gen. Charles F.
Noske. 1t seems that last Saturday, in gen.
eral orders issued from the national head
quarters Of the union. Gen. Dyrenforth.
the commander-in-chief. formally relieved
Gen. Meacham of the command Of the Di-
vision Of the Potomac and placed In his
stead Gen. Charles F. Noske, who had been
brigade commander Of the local division.
1t was set forth in the orders that Gen.
Meacham had been guilty of disobedence
of orders and discourtesy General orders
No L OF the Division of the Potomac have
been Issued by Gen. Noske, by which he
sumed command of the division and named
his staff.
Gen. Meacham, In his petition, claims that
the action of Gen. Dyrenfortn was unwar-
ranted, arbitrary, a tyrannical usurpasion
OF power and ap unlawful interference. 1t
is stated that the petitioner was elected
major general and commander of the Divis-
ion of the Potomac, U. V. u, at the annual
meeting held November 30, 1901. and that
he was duly installed in office for the
term of one year. He was suspended, so he
declares, arbitrarily, and he asks the courts
to intervene and prevent Gen. Dyrenforth
from relieving him of his duties and office,
to which he was elected by a majority Of
the votes In the local division; and also
that the case be heard at Length and that
the papers and exhibits presented with the
brief shall be carefully considered.
Justice Barnard signed temporary re-
straining orders against Gen. Dyrenforth
and Gen. Noske, requiring them to show
cause October 10 why they should not be
permanently restrained.
Origin of Disagreement.
brought about through the expulsion last
July of Lieut.. Col. Francis NJ. Taylor of
Hancock Regiment, No. !. According to
Gen. Meacham the expulsion was accom-
plished through the unfair manipulate of
a majority of the members of the regiment.
The assertion Is that the commander-in-
chief, who is a member of Hancock Regi-
ment, became dissatisfied with the manner
In which the business of the organization
was being conducted, and sought to form a
new regiment and draw from Hancock a
large number of its most influential MEM
bers. Failing to secure the requisite num-
Der of men to form the regiment however,
Gen. Dyrenforth, SO 1t is said made the
charge that there were too many men in
the regiment who did not seem to work for
the benefit of the order. Lieut.. Col Taylor
claimed that Gen. Dyrenforth was manipu-
lating the members. Gen. Dyrenforth called
Col. Taylor to order for the language used
and secured his expulsion from the order.
From this expulsion an appeal was taken
to the division commander, Gen. John T.
Meacham. and the official report Of the
meeting was sent to him as well. Gen. Dy
renforth and Gen. Meacham met several
days after the appeal had been taken, and
the latter is said to have informed Gen.
Dyrenforth that he was only delaying the
confirmation Of the expulsion Of Taylor
until the return Of his adjutant general.
Meacham sent word to Hancock Regiment
that the action Of the organization in ex-
polling Col. Taylor had been reversed.
Demand Made for Papers.
General Dyrenforth, according to the story,
pers in the case, directing that they be sent
Immediately to national headquarters. Cen
eral Meacham, 1t is explained, refused to
comply, the ground that, under the con-
stitution of the order. all division matters
should be settled at division headquarters,
and that the national officers had nothing
to do with the affair.
1t is further declared that General Dyren-
forth later notified General Meacham that
the members of the latter's command
seemed to be lax in the work of preparation
for the coming encampment, and that they
forth, 1t is said, next criticised General
Meacham's conduct in connection with the
entertainment given for the benefit of the
U. V. L. at Chase's Theater several weeks
ago. dtnerdl Dyren1Ortn asserted that
through the arrangement of the program
by General Meacham Senator Depew, who
had been asked to speak, was seriously in
convenenced and was so wrought up over
change made in placing his name at a diff
1erent place on the program from that
which had been agreed upon that he cut
his speech short. General Dyrenforth
claimed also that fair vocalist had been
seriously embarrassed through the changing
of the program by General Meacham Fur
Their, 1t is charged by General Dyrenforth,
Miss Mamie Smith, a daughter of the late
General Green Clay Smith was left at home
waiting for carriage which General
Meacham had promised to send for her and
had failed to do. According to General Dy-
renforth, all this was detrimental to the
good of the order.
Then followed the order relieving Cen
e1al Meacham of the command of the Divis
ion of the Potomac. Attorney D. w. Glas-
sic represents the complainant