Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-02
An INQUIRY STARTED
Grand Army Men Interested in
Recent DismissaIs
FROM MAIL BAG REPAIR SHOP
Veterans and Widows of Veterans
Dropped From the Rolls.
EARNED BUT MERE PITTANCE
Were Employed on Piece Work-Call
Made Upon Second Assistant
Postmaster General
FROM MAIL BAG REPAIR SHOP
EARNED BUT MERE PITTANCE

An investigation into the circumstances
attending the sweeping dismissal of veteran
employees from the mail bag repair shops of
the Post Office Department, as given ex-
clusively in The Star yesterday, was begun
this afternoon by the Department of the
Potomac, G. A. R., and the Department of
the District Of Columbia. United Spanish
War Veterans. 1t was stated that the mat
ter may be taken to President Roosevelt
early next week
Department Commander B. P. Entrikin
and Department Commander Newton
Ferree, with Department Commander J.
Walter Mitchell of the Spanish War Vet
Grams, visited the mail bag repair shops
this afternoon and learned that ten and
probably more of those who were dis
charged yesterday were civil war veterans
or the widows or children of soldiers of the
civil and Spanish wars
After leaving the mail bag repair shops
Commanders Entrikin and Ferree called
upon Second Assistant Postmaster General
Shallenberger and placed the matter be-
fore him.
One of the dismissed soldiers of the g.
A. R.. who lost his right arm in one of the
desperate battle of the war in the Cos, came
into the office of the superintendent OF the
repair shops while the committee of COM
manders was there. He pronounced the
discharge an outrage. From other sources
it was learned that there is plenty of work
in the shops to keep a larger force busy
than is now employed.
Employed on Piecework.
1t was also learned that the men and
women who were dismissed had all been
employed on piecework, and gave the gov
eminent full value for every penny they
had received as salaries" as an official ex
pressed It. Therefore, 1t was contended,
the dismissals were not brought about on
the score of economy, as had been stated.
Certain information received by the three
commanders may, it is said. lead to a re-
quest that there be thorough investigation
of the mail bag repair shops personnel.
One of the women dismissed was said to
be the dependent widow of a civil war
soldier, who has several children at home.
1t was said her dismissal might have been
due to the fact that the illness of the little
ones necessitated her staying at home on
several occasions. and her absence was
charged against her.
Another of the dismissed women was said
to have been the widow of spanish War
Veteran.
At best, it was stated, those dismissed
had been able at the piece work to make
but pittance, and many of the employees
of the establishment stated that it ap-
peared that those dismissed were those
who were more needy than the others.
Several of the dismissed widows of SOL
ders called upon Department Commander
Entriken and told pathetic stories of their
condition. 1t is said the matter will be
taken up for action at meeting Of the
Department of the District of Columbia
United Spanish War Veterans to be held
next Thursday evening. At a meeting
OF the Gen. Andrew 8. Burt Camp, U. 8.
W. W., last evening, resolutions were
adopted denouncing the dismissal of vet
eran soldiers. their widows and children
from the shops. 7.'.' -''. -