Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-08
LOS ANGELES MORNING. SEPTEMBER 1909

And there would have been hun
dreds more, If they did not fear the re-
suits" said one veteran, for we well
know that when the board of managers
leaves the names of those who testi-
fed will be placed on the blacklist and
that we will be picked out for special
abuse"
It was lively and excited crowd of
veterans that gathered about Markham
hall an hour before the inquiry be-
gan, for it was generally understood
that a public session and one that
would be stormy would be held.
But a grave change overspread the
features of the once determined vet
Grams, when the policy of the board be-
came known.
Were up against it as usual" was
the general cry, and when the names
of those who wished to appear IN
secret session were called for the ma
jority of the veterans left the hall, and
only thirty signed their names and
were given slips of paper, to await
their turn.
The board evidently had determined
to finish the business yesterday, for
no recess was taken at the dinner hour
and the veterans who desired to TESTIFY
either had to give up their turn or go
without supper.
This fact caused a number to fail TO
appear, and one veteran declared that,
Judging from the way affairs were be-
ing conducted. he would relinquish his
chance to appear and instead go to
dinner. Others, more determined, re-
mained until their turn came. and 1t
was after o'clock before the last per-
son was called.
The testimony of some Of the vet
Grams was humorous.
One veteran, who made bitter COM
plant against the food and who sur
nrised the board by showing a COM
nIete diary giving the rations served
at each meal for several months prior
to June Is, then propounded question
which the board could not solve, In
asking how seven prur1es could be d.
vided among twelve men.
"On more than one occasion" said
this veteran, "prunes was the staple
dish of food. Sometimes there would
be one prune for each man, but one
morning we were puzzled as to how to
divide seven prunes among twelve
men"
Another witness stated that there
never was any yeast used in making
cornbread and, in order to have the
coffee palatable, 1t was necessary to
bring the sugar from outside.
Another said that April 21 it was
necessary to raise the windows as the
meat ndu D6COllt 81 dStl llleiI d llO-
ticeable and sickly odor permeated the
mess room.
Meals Are Forgotten
One man stated that he had lost
twenty-seven pounds on account of the
hardships he suffered while doing time
ION the dump" Another testified to
a man being beaten in the hospital in
such a manner that his death resulted
soon after
That he was compelled to wash in
the same wash dish and use the same
towel as used by a negro with a con-
tagious disease, was the testimony of
another.
Yet. according to President Wads-
worth and the other members of the
national board, these charges were
trivial and that trouble was expected
among such a number of men. Pres
ident Wadsworth did admit that
change for the better was testified to
by nearly each witness since The Her
aid exposed the wretched conditions
existing in the home.
These members of the "whitewash
committee of the Grand Army were
present at the session: o. H. Coulter,
w. S. Daubenspeck j. S. Wilson, R.
Heffelfiner, E. e. Clough and e. w.
Clark.
They appeared to be pleased at being
upheld by the national board.
After the result of the proceedings had
been announced number of veterans con-
vened and determined to start, monster
petition which will be presented to President
Taft upon his arrival in Los Angeles Oct,
IL. That there will be but little difficulty
in obtaining signatures to the petition seems
assured, for the veterans are thoroughly
aroused at their failure to obtain Justice
and determined to continue the fight until
the present management is changed.
VIII Continue Fight
Prominent members of the Grand
Army posts of Los Angeles stated last
night that the fight would be continued
until justice was attained, no matter
how many whitewash proceedings are
conducted.
Yesterday morning the time of the
board was given to an inspection of the
barracks, where the fact was brought
to light that, in most of the quarters
the bed clothing had seen eighteen
years of service and was in wretched
condition.
Nevertheless the board of national
managers reported the home in excel
lent condition, and that the shortage
of food the past spring and early sum-
mer was simply due to the regular ap-
proriation running low.
Last night meeting was held at
the Soldiers Home hotel and review
of the days work begun, and sup
posed rehearsing of the cases "under
consideration"
This morning a further investigation
of the water system sand the grounds
about the home will be made. The
board plans to finish it's work this aft
ernoon and leave Los Angeles at
o'clock tonight for Leavenworth, Kas,
to make another inspection"
These members of the national board
were present yesterday and listened to
the "trivial" complaints: Major James
w. Wadsworth, Col. H. H. Markham,
Pasadena Gen. Joseph S. Smith, Ban
gor, Me-; John M. Holley, La Crosse,
Wis, and Senator William Warner
Walter E. Elwell inspector general
and chief surgeon of homes, and Moses
Harris, treasurer of the board, also at
tended the session.
-