Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-01
RECOGNITION 0F MERIT
-PREsIDEnr .RoosEvELT's sAc-
TIoN IN BEHALF OF A VETERAN.
Naturalized Citizen Whose Service in
Spanish War Secures
Special Executive Order.

"A display OF unusual devotion on the part
Of foreign born citizen to the stars and
stripes in time of stress comes to light in
connection with an order issued by Presi-
dent Roosevelt to the civil service COM
mission directing that the case of Tony
Verroso. native of Italy. but now a natur-
allied American. be made special one on
the eligibility list under the Classification OF
unskiiled iaborer. The order means that
the government Of the United States
through It's chief executive has taken UNI
usual pains to recognize and reward loyal
and meritorious conduct on the part of one
of its plain citizens.
Tony Verroso, but lately soldier of the
italian army, fought for the United States.
| the country of his adoption. in the war with
Spain. Now. suffering the CONSEQUENCES OF
the sacrifice he made to serve in the RANKS,
| he is In need of assistance Particullrs CT
| his case were laid before President ls,ose-
welt, whose prompt action insured the re-
| lief which Is now at hand In the snaDe OF
employment under the government. This.
| in brief. is the story connected with the
| order which will shortly result III the APP
pointment of Verroso to a position in the
government printing office.
Public Printer Stillings has alreadX- pro-
vfded the place for Verroso. His appoint
ment will be made as soon The oraer
| form sent from the civil service commits
sion to Oyster Bay for the signature of the
| put to work at a salary which will eiiabie
| him to support himself and his family.
Sought Employment.
Receiving only small pension on ac-
count of his disabilities resulting from his
service in the Spanish-American war; Mr.
Verrosso. accompanied by his wife and chill
dren, came to Washington short time ago
seeking employment He had already taken
an examination under the civil service rules,
but found from the list of those eligible to
appointment that there were more than 400
ahead of him. although he had an average
of 90 per cent. His business interests In
Wilmington. Del, which, though small. had
been sufficient to provide for his needs be-
| fore the war. had failed him on account of
+ neglect during his absence from home. and
since then it had been with the utmost diff
| ficulty that he managed to make both ends
| meet In providing for his family.
When he discovered the position of his
| name on the eligible list and was informed
of the remoteness of his appointment, III
made al ALL he was almost in despair. The
account of the state of affairs in which he
| found himself was told to some in this city
to whom he went for assistance. but In
nearly every case. 1t is stated. he was dis
appointed. His difficulty in speaking Eng
lish rendered It hard for him to make him.
self understood. and he seemed to stand
small chance of being materially aided
Appeals Made to Comrade.
At length, however, he was directed TO APP
ply to Capt. ]. Walter Mitchell, who was a
few days ago elected commander of the
Department of the District of Columbia,
United Spanish War Veterans. Capt.
Mitchell at once interested himself In the
pathetic story and took personal steps to
bring the matter to the attention of the
civil service commission. There he was in
formed that practically the only action
which offered any hope of early success
would be to lay the case before the Presi-
dent. and that was done without delay. 1t
was the first official act of the kind on the
part of Capt. Mitchell following his cleo
ton as commander of the Spanish War
Veterans, and the result is highly pleasing
to him as well to others of the organfza-
ton who are acquainted with the factS IN
the case
It is understood the President was inn
pressed with the fact that Verrosso, who
had, in addition to serving in the Italian
army been for some time a member Of the
police of Rome. which is in effect mill
tary organization. did not make the slight
est effort when enlisted To secure a COM
mission such his thorough military train
ing had fitted him for, but was willing to
give this country his best services in the
ranks.
Other Meritorious Phases.
But this was by no means an isolated ex-
ample of merit found by the investigation
of the case and brought to the attention OF
the President
1t was also disclosed that Verrosso had
suffered greatly from the hardships of mill
tary life in Cuba and had often been too
III to remain on duty but had never re-
ported for hospital treatment. saying to his
comrades that soldiers part was to fight
and work as long he could. and not to
be cared for In a hospital 1t was also
shown that Verrosso had rendered excel
lent services in assisting in the drilling
and instruction of the raw recruits in the
service. He was a member of the LIST Del
aware Volunteer Infantry.
Furthermore. it was shown that when
he was mustered cut of the service his
character was marked excellent" and
service honest and faithful
In his communication to the President,
Commander Mitchell laid stress upon the
fact that the conduct of Verrosso in his
sacrifice and service for his adopted coun-
try at time when many native AmerI-
cans declined to go to the front reflected
especial credit upon him.
MIR. Yerrosso is making his home in this