Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-07-01
VETERANS CLAIM
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
GOV. C0CHRANE AT SAWTELLE
REFUSES TO TALK
SAYS HE KNOWS
HIS BUSINESS
Marked Improvement Shown in Quail
ity of Food at Soldiers Home,
Due, II Is Said, to Soldiers
Taking Burroughs


at the home for ten years" and guessed
he knew his business" a number of
veterans who learned of the remark as
serted they were willing to sign affi-
davits showing that mismanagement
existed at the home.
The only objection to signing the af-
fidavits is as to just what Governor
Cochrane meant by his business" as
1t is cheerfully admitted on all sides
that as far as Governor Cochrane per-
sonally is concerned the management
must have been perfectly satisfactory.
But if taken to mean that he under
stood how to properly conduct the af-
fairs of the home as they are supposed
to be conducted the veterans take a
contrary side and stand willing to sign
affidavits showing that they have been
subjected to privation, cruel and
abusive treatment.
Today marks the beginning of the
new fiscal year at the home, and when
asked If any change in the policy of
management for the coming year was
planned the governor replied warmly
there was no need of any change and
would not be any as long as he re-
manned at the head Of the home.
There are" said the governor, "a
number of lawless persons at this home
the government but we know how to
handle them, and believing their COM
plants are not worthy of attention
have treated them with contempt.
There will be no change at this home"
Veterans Have More to Eat
Ali of the veterans who were seen
yesterday stated there had been a
marked improvement in the eatables
and in the general conduct of the home
in the last two weeks or since The
Herald showed the true state of affairs
at the home. When this fact was stated
to Governor Cochrane and asked as to
how he accounted for the improve
ment in the dining rooms he replied:
"Oh, that Is easily accounted for be-
cause there were so many soldiers who
asked for furloughs In the last fifteen
days that the number to be fed were
accordingly reduced and there was
more food to go around" Governor
Cochrane did not state, however, that
the unusual number of applications for
furloughs was caused by the conditions
at the home.
"Well," said a number of the vet
Grams, 1--WE never saw $42 do so much
service as that $42 that was left in the
treasury June g. If every $42 can be
used that way we will soon all be mil
lionaires or else have our pensions
publicity given to conditions aroused
the management to the fact that If an
investigation was held at once it would
show startling facts. 1t therefore was
decided to dig UP some of the reserve
fund, and as matter of fact our food
has been quite decent since the first
article in The Herald appeared.
ut does not take a financial student
to know that the $42 accomplished such
miracles. But we are fearful lest this
agitation should drop and no investiga-
ton be held, that soon the management
will get back in the old rut and our
hardships will be worse than ever.
Keep up the good work. We will not be
satisfied until Governor Cochrane and
Treasurer Moore are relegated to pri-
vate life. We have set out to accom-
plish this and intend to win out. We
have fought before for principle, and
believe we have a principle now which
richly deserves to be fought for"
Money Is Joke
The $42 matter has become a regular
joke about the home.
When Governor Cochrane made the
remarkable statement two weeks ago
that there was no meat on hand and
only $42 In the treasury to last for f1f-
teen days he did not realize the result.
Today Capt. Lambert, who has acted
as adjutant at the home for nearly
twelve years, will leave his office and
will be succeeded by c. F. Startzman, a
veteran of the Philippine war, whose
home is in Los Angeles. Although 1t
has been currently reported that the
retirement of Copt. Lambert was
caused by the recent trouble at the
home the adjutant denied this
my retirement" said Capt. Lambert,
''is because of q new order of the board
IO4n with hn
Of inspector and combining the adju-
tantsand inspectors work. / have been
Ill for nearly year and as the duties
of the office are burdenSome 1t was de-
cided that a young man should have
the place.
my relations with Governor Coch-
rane have been friendly during my SER
vice, but I feel that 1 should give way
to some younger person. My successor,
Mr.. Startzman, has an excellent war
record and should fill the position ac-
ceptably."
Capt. Lambert refused to discuss the
present conditions at the home, saying
that 1t would not be proper in his posi-
ton. but did admit that there were
many disgruntled soldiers at the home.
Capt. Lambert will leave the home
tomorrow for furlough, and is uncer-
tain as to whether he will return or not.
he will continue his member
ship at the home.
The fact that Capt. Lambert was to
be retired was a source of regret to
many of the veterans, who have stated
that he has been a firm friend to the
privates during his term of office.
Governor Cochrane stated that Capt, |
Lambert had been retired by the board
OF managers and also stated 1t was a
mistaken idea that it was in his power
to dishonorably discharge anyone from
the home. He said this could only be
done by the board of managers. The |
case of DR.. j. A. Smith, who it is said
was dishonorably discharged from the
home on account of an indiscreet re-
mark concerning Treasurer Moore was
discussed on all sides, and it was in ref
erence to this case that Governor Coch-
rane made the statement he personally |
could not discharge any inmate. Never
theless 1t is certain that unless orders
are given by Governor Cochrane no
case comes to the attention of the board |
Of managers.
mr. Smith Must Be Reinstafed