Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-27
National Commander Criticised.

the action of Commander Browne in Selling
| the charter Of Roosevelt Garrison was
roundly denounced.
The membership also decided to stand
pat with the members of Roosevelt, Henry
and Porter garrisons In resisting the alleged
entertainments of Browne on the rights of
the local bodies.
The vote denying Mr.. Galbraith adj
| mission to the ball as department COM
mander was received with repeated cheer
ing 1t is said only one vote was cast in
favor of admitting him.
In the discussion Of the trouble before the
meeting closed Judge Robert Alton took the
floor and presented the legal phases of the
controversy, quoting the constitution in
almost every sentence. He contended that
National Commander Browns action was
uncalled for.
"If." said Judge Alton, che saw fit to sus-
pend Roosevelt Garrison. why did he not
go about 1t in a more dignified manner?
His spectacular show Monday night Is
enough to cause Indignation in the heart
of every comrade. We have no fight on
National Commander Browne. AS national
commander we respect him; but when he
interjects his personal feelings into his Of
fetal acts. as he apparently did Monday
night, then he seriously errs.
The Washington garrsons constitute the
greater part of the Army and Navy Union,
said another speaker, land we will not
stand for such acts as National Com
IoTOWHe anu his Sldu committed.
Every man in the hail. with one excep-
ton, condemned the unfortunate episode
and before the discussion ended this OBJ
tecting comrade fell into line. The gath
ering was by far one of the best attended
| and one Of the most quiet meetings, it is
claimed, in the history of the local garri-
sons 1t was declared to be void of any
sensationalsm but the members made
plain their determination to stand by Col
Roosevelt Garrison.
A member of the garrison, referring to
the statement made in behalf of National
Commander ]. Edwin Browne, and pub
lshed yesterday in The Star, stated today:
Commander Browne announces that he
knows there is some feeling against him in
Washington, but that his whole heart and
soul are devoted to the cause of the Army
and Navy Union. Why, then, did he not
| make efforts to overcome this feeling? If
he loves the order as he states, he certainly
should do all he can to promote comrade-
ship and harmony again. If he loved the
whole organization why did he not con-
slider the wishes of a portion of it wash
ington, D. c., garrisons, numbering nearly
seven hundred members) in making his
| local appointment?
Personal feeling should be set aside
when the interests of the organization are
at stake. Can National Commander Browne
afford to lose such magnificent body of
men as we have in the Capital city to sat
1sfy few of his personal admirers when
he saw fit to make a local appointment? 1t
is contended he should have considered the
! local needs and respected the wishes Of a
| majority of the local men. This he did not
do when he selected Mr.. Galbraith. Can he
! point to any work of building up the local
garrisons in which Mr.. Galbraith has lg-
ured? In all affairs effecting the Interests
| of any portion Of the American people the
| majority rule and the wishes of the ma
| jority. by reasonable men, whether they he
! in military veteran organizations in any
| other, are always respected"
| The members of Roosevelt Garrison will
meet next Monday night at G. A. r. Hall
! just as though there was no trouble. 1t is
! stated they are standing solidly by the &C
! ton against what they style "unsolderly
and unfraternal dissertation Of a charter
! bearing the name of their honored COM
| rade in the White House."