The Washington herald., 1907-10-28


belong to the Department of the District
of Columbia, Mr.. Walter Scott Hale, OF
Boston, commander-in-chief Of the organi-
zation. arrived in Washington yesterday.
Mr.. Hale came to this city in response
10 letter from several colored members
of the Spanish War Veterans, who re-
quested a settlement of the question.
He viii remain, he said last night until
1t has been adjusted finally and irrevocably
one way or the other.
This morning at 9 o'clock the taking
of the testimony of all the members Of
the United Spanish War Veterans in this
department who desire TO be heard will
begin at the quarters of Mr.. Hale. in
the New Willard. II was announced by
Mr.. Hale that he viii probably remain
in Washington until Wednesday and that
until Tuesday night Will be occupied
with sitting the matter to the bottom
All evidence will be taken by a stenog-
rapher, and afterward be placed in shape
in-chief. No decision viii likely be given
for several days after Mr.. Hale's de-
parture from this city. as he desires 10
most carefully weigh it, so that no in
justice may be done TO either side.
Proceedings 10 lie Secret.
The proceedings. MI Hale intends. shall
be entirely secret and orders that no
airing of dirty Inca" be made have al
ready been issued from headquarters.
Mr.. Hale will meet all those of either of
the contending sides who wish TO see him.
and his conclusion, he said, will be based
not on fear or favor, but the good OF
the Spanish War Veterans as an associa-
tion Of men.
Mr. Hale was not, Of course, able to
forecast his views upon the color-line
question last night. but admitted he has
several tentative solutions Of the diff
Guilty up his, sleeve. which may be di-
vulged later If necessary.
Speaking Of his visit. Mr.. Hale said.
This question has popped up from time
to time in our annual conventions and
has. by almost every commander, been
shifted to the one who has succeeded
him. 1 received a letter from some of
the coIored members of the organization
yesterday. made arrangements 10 leave
Boston last night, and have come TO set
tie it once for all. ! intend to stay here
until / have gathered all the evidence
Every one who desires TO be heard will
have a chance. and the only requirement
viii be that it all be taken down by a
sJenOgrapher-
Whatever decision I may reach in this
matter viii come through honest con-
viction that 1 am acting rightly, and will
be what l believe is best for the or
ganization. If it does not agree with the
views OF the majority of the members Of
the United Spanish War Veterans, they
will have an opportunity to give vent to
their displeasure at the next annual
meeting in 1905
AT present l am commander Of the
organization, and as such it IS in my
power 10 act with authority in settling
this dispute. I shall do so, and VIII not
sidestep the issue or attempt to put it off
on my successor or any one else.
Doesn't AIIude TO Color.
Mr. Hale said the constitution of the
Spanish War Veterans permits any hon
orably discharged soldier who served in
the Spanish war to become a member.
and that it does not aHude 10 color. He
would not say whether scheme to have
coIored and white departments is among
those up his sleeve or not. but merely
smiled when il was suggested
The fact that the District department.
comprising cOmmanderies in the District
Of Columbia, and States Of Maryland,
Virginia, and Delaware, is the one in
which all this row has been raised. may
have some significance before the present
investigation is finished, although Mr..
Hale did not enter into this phase Of the
situation last night
Mr.. Hale said that the Spanish War
Veterans know no Mason and Dixon's
Ikne, no North no South, no East. and no
West. When the organization was formed.
is founders drew a line through that IA
hous boundary but no one has been able
90 tell 20 this day just where it goes.
The trouble over the color line in the
District began several months ago. when
Edward L. Cogan, commander of the Dis
trict department of the United Spanish
War Veterans, it is alleged. referred TO
the negro members, saying they should
not have the same privileges as the white
race, and that a distinct color line be-
tween the two races should be drawn.
This alleged action by Mr.. Cogan
aroused much feeling among the eolored
members of the organization and at a
meeting held in Fisherman's Hall several
weeks ago. a committee of five prominent
members Of the cOlored camp of veter-
ans was appointed to wait on Mr.. Cogan
and ask that he retract his alleged state
ments
Held "A stormy Meeting.
This committee was only appointed after
what is alleged to have been an exceed
ingly stormy meeting, and after many of
the men present expressed a conviction
thai the whole matter should be laid be-
fore tie cOmmander-in-chief al once.
While 1t is not known definitely that
Mr. Cogaa refused to retract his alleged
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