Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-08
WHITEWASH AT
SOLDIERS HOME
VETERANS PLANNING TO TAKE
CHARGES TO TAFT
DlssATIsFAcTIoNs IS EXPRESSED
BY MEMBERS OF G. A. r.
Men Who Declared They Could Pro-
duce Proof Were Not Heard
by Board of National
Managers
Continued from Page onel

stating that "some of the men are get
ting old and 1t is natural for them TO
complain, but their complaints are of a
trivial nature and many made no COM
plants at all, simply asking for trans
fers and reinstatements in other homes.
We have the welfare of the veterans at
heart, and the report of the Grand
Army committee, who are always here
on the scene, was given voluntarily,
and believing that they have the In
terests of the members of the home at
heart the committees report, rather
than any report we might make, should
be sufficient We will take few cases
under consideration, but in all probable
ity will not make any further report, as
we do not deem it necessary"
Senator William Warner, who prom
Used a real and thorough investigation,
and who in a speech yesterday morning
aroused the old veterans to enthusiasm
by his remarks had nothing to say last
night, referring reporters to President
Wadsworth.
1t was explained that the reason
newspaper men and the public were not
allowed to hear the facts was accord
ing to the regularly established rule Of
the board.
EnderIin Claims Proof
When Joe" Enderlin, commander Of
Uncle Sam post, G. A. R., went before
the board he insisted on producing four
witnesses, the only witnesses allowed
during the session, and frankly stated
when he emerged from the star cham
ber room that he had proved that Gov
ernor Cochrane had issued orders pre-
venting the placing of flowers on the
graves of the heroes last Memorial day.
Put it just as strong as you like,
said Commander Joe, who is one of the
most popular persons at the home, FOR
xxritTopcenc who nUpThn9d the
insulting remarks of Governor Coch-
rane in regard to paying the usual re-
spect to the dead soldiers / told them
the facts, right from the shoulder and
even if it makes me unpopular with the
officers I feel have done my duty, and
am happy"
Dr. c. E. Case, past commander of
Stanton post, who was present yester-
day but was not allowed to testify, was
happy at the result of the testimony
given by Commander Joe" and his
witnesses.
mo matter what the result of this
investigation may be, we will not give
up the fight, but will keep hammering
away until we accomplish our purpose.
The testimony of those who overheard
the remarks of Gov. Cochrane in re-
gard to the Memorial day exercises in
dicates the resolutions passed at that
time by Rosecrans camp, Sons of Vet
CIdllpy dAld IAAO DOJo III w PASS'0@N'
DR.. Case Not Called
DR.. Case went to Sawtelle prepared
to testify, but was not called, as the
rule was made that only members OF
the home who had direct and not hear
say evidence should be called. Thls
decision was made in spite of the decla-
ration that members of the home or
civilians were invited to give testi-
mony.
Prof. George Young of Santa Monica,
whose war record is one of the best OF
any soldier who fought through the
Civil War, was another who was on
hand with witnesses, but was not al
lowed to testify, it being decided that
as he was not a member of the nome
his evidence was undesirable.
The opinion of the members of the
home over the report of Daubenspeck's
whitewash committee was evidenced
when that body entered the secret
chamber, with Chairman o. H. Coulter
in the lead. A veteran exclaimed;
."There goes the whitewash commit
tee" and the cry was chorused by
score of veterans.
Much interest centered about the
appearance of DR.. John A. smith VINO
was dishonorably discharged for re-
ferring to Treasurer Moore as the
id foreigner" DR.. Smith was on
hand with witnesses, but his case was
given a brief hearing and no witnesses
allowed to testify. DR.. Smith admit
ted the remark credited to him, but
stated that it was not meant for the
ears of Treasurer Moore and that he
had apologized, the only course gen
tleman could take, yet he "got the
gate"
Taken Under Consideration
"Your case is fully known to u.s."
Y ,1e..1Ff Ff,rtIN G
Smith took the witness stand, land
we will take it under consideration.
at did refer to Moore as a id for
eigner,' although l did not know him
personally, but had heard him referred
to in more strenuous terms each day
by the members of the home" said DR..
Smith.
Howell G. Trodgen, who wore two
congressional medals for bravery in
the civil war, was temporarily rein
stated in the home last night. Trod
gen was arrested, according to his
claims, because he was accused of re-
ferring to Governor Cochrane in a dis
respectful manner and thrown into
Jail, where he served ten days. Upon
his release from Jail he was refused
admittance to the home and stated
that Cochrane told him to get out and
keep out, as he was an undesirable
citizen.
Trodgen caused amusement by put
ting in evidence a small vial in which
he showed a number of brown bugs
which frequent beds and disturb the
sleep" and other Vermin which he
stated he had garnered during his stay
at the home. He also told of the bru-
tality used in the home hospital.
He admitted that he was homeless
and penniless and anxious to return to
the home, because when a member
first he was ill, but had now recuper-
ated and was able to fight his battles.
1t was decided to allow Trodgen to
stay at the home last night and his
case would be further investigated"
today
Herald's Story INDICATED
EVERY statement of the conditions
exposed by The Herald was vindi-
Gated" said one veteran as he emerged
from the chamber room, "and 1 told
the board that if witnesses would be
heard / could gather 100 to substantiate
the charges, but my suggestion was not
accepted. One thing is certain.
"Daubenspeck's committee is getting
an opportunity to hear some facts,
which it overlooked in the first white
wash investigation"
The majority of the complaints were
about the poor quality and lack of
food, the condition of the bedding, the
neglect shown in the hospital and the
punishment meted out to veterans
who are put to work on the dump"
Despite the assertion of President
Wadsworth that many OF the persons
Vyb a., ha oil