Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-08
CALCIMINE
BRUSH AT
SAWTELLE
Promises Broken at the
Investigation"
S0-CALLED "HEARSAY" EVIL
DENCE BARRED OUT
PETITION TO PRESIDENT TAFT
WILL BE NEXT STEP
c. A. r. Leaders Determined to Have
Wrongs Existing at Soldiers Home
Under Present Manage
ment Rghted
PETITION TO PRESIDENT TAFT
WILL BE NEXT STEP

"a Il
II wash, freely and thick
"A ly spread; self-evident
appearances of prearranged at
tempt to shield the officers of
the home; a star chamber ses-
sion, where witnesses were de-
MED admittance; an apparent
disregard of the appeals of the
veterans, resulting in many of
the complainants giving up in
despair, when it was plain that
no attempt to have real inves-
tigation was being made" was
the opinion of a great majority
of the members of the Soldiers
home, Sawtelle, last night when
the inquiry" conducted by the
national board of managers of
soldiers homes resulted in the
statement by the president of the
board, Maj. James M. Wads-
worth, that the complaints were
"of such trivial nature as not to
call for a written report.
Early yesterday morning word was
passed about among the members of
the home that it would not be safe
for anyone to make complaints, as the
result would be a record on the books
of Governor Cochrane of the names of
the. "kickers," which would result in
the complainants getting the gate
To many of the veterans, who for
months have complained or the arbl-
trary tactics of the officers in charge
of the home, it was a question of being
driven out into the world to face star
walton or refrain from giving testimony
which they knew to be true. Many de-
cided to suffer in silence rather than
undergo the risk of discharge, for, de-
spite the fact that immunity had been
promised all who desired to enter COM
plants it was noticeable soon after the
board of investigation" proceeded that
the affair was to be nothing more than
a monumental Whitewash.
Nevertheless thirty persons appeared
before the board and of this number,
every one of whom was interviewed by
a Herald reporter, but one was found
who would uphold the present manage
ment of the home.
And furthermore, when this member be-
gan in a loud tone of voice to commend
Gov. Cochrane's policies and to condemn
those who made complaints, small sized
riot was quelled only after the interference
of officers,
This member, who declared that the
complaints were made by persons ire
sponsible was abruptly brought to task
and threatened with physical violence
when he referred to those who desired
to enter complaints, as 'has beens who
were not desirable citizens"
Promises Not Made Good
The members of the national board
had announced that soldiers or civilians
who had information concerning the
home would be given an opportunity to
appear before the board, but such u
policy was not carried out. Veterans,
who had complaints and witnesses to
bear out their statements, and atfi-
davits to present were not allowed to
have their witnesses heard.
The whitewash investigation resem-
bled a courtmartial proceeding; was
behind closed doors; members of the
press and persons interested in the
welfare of the home were not allowed
to enter the private chamber, and it
soon became apparent that, if any facts
detrimental to the management We're
to be brought out, the public would
not have an opportunity of hearing
such testimony.
Despite this ruling, the members of
the Grand Army committee that gave
a similar whitewash report at the ma
tional encampment at Salt Lake City
were allowed to sit in a body in the
private chamber and hear the testi-
mony.
Fearful of Da Ibenspeck
This action caused the first suspicion
to enter the minds of those who de-
sired a real investigation and. although
at O'Clock, the hour of the opening of
the inquiry" Markham hall was
crowded with enthusiastic veterans
who believed that at last they were
about to obtain justice, nearly half of
them left when it was known that the
"DaubenspeclS whitewash" committee
was to sit with the national board Of
managers.
Nevertheless thirty veterans re-
mained, who stated in no uncertain
terms that they would take the gate"
rather than give up the opportunity to-
present their righteous claims
Governor Cochrane was about the
hall early in the afternoon, but, accord
ing to the "rules of etiquette" and to-
make the whitewash investigation ap-
pear real. was not allowed in the pri-
vate chamber.
At the close of the investigation, if
il could be called such, President Wads-
worth defended the stand taken by the