Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-30
DISCHARGE MAKES
VETERANS ANGRY
POPULAR SAWTELLE C0MRADE
PUNISHED
CHARGE PREFERRED BY TREAS
URER OF HOME
Or. J. A. Smith Dropped from Rolls
Because Of Internationally Dis
courteous Remark About
Superior Officer

home near Sawtelle.
DR.. j. A. Smith, who resides at %;
Ohio avenue. Sawtelle a member OF
company f, and an inmate of ward J.
was dishonorably discharged yester-
dav morning by Col. T. j. CochFaQe
governor of the home, on charges pre-
ferred by Treasur e. w. Moore, tc
whom. It is alleged, DR.. Smith ad-
dressed a discourteous remark.
Dr. smith entered a plea of guilty
when the charge was read to him. He
explained It. however by saying he
had heard the same language used SC
often he was merely repeating what
he had heard Notwithstanding the
fact that he made the amende honor
able, he was given the gate by Col
Cochrane. the governor, and is now
one Of the "dishonorahly discharged
members of the home.
The circumstances of DR., Smith
discharge from the home were related
yesterday by a comrade who was with
him at the time he made the indiscreet
remark which brought about this re-
suit.
Remark Overheard
Dr. Smith and a comrade were walk
ing together when Treasurer Moore
passed them. The comrade saluted
and said the man whom he had sa-
luted was Treasurer Moore.
rs that that damned foreigner
asked DR. Smith Treasurer Moore
overheard the remark and filed charges
against DIR. Smith. The two men
walked on and nothing was heard OF
it until the fourth day after the re-
mark was made, when DR.. Smith was
cited to appear before the governor
and answer the charge.
He promptly appeared. The charge
was read to him. His comrade was
also there. Answering the charge. DR.
Smith said that he would admit using
the language quoted in the charge. he
also said because the phrase had be-
come so common among the men II
was on the tip of his tongue and he
used it thoughtlessly, for which he de-
sired to apologize. He said ne iel'
considerable modification for allowing
his tongue to unthinkingly utter words
which he would not have uttered under
different circumstances.
Notwithstanding DR.. Smiths apol-
ogy and explanation, Col. Cochrane is
sued the order giving him a dishonor-
able discharge.
To Demand Reinstatement
DR.. Smith is popular with the ole
soldiers. As soon as his discharge be
came known there was a howl of in
dignation. Some of the men wanted
to organize and go at once to the
governor and demand DIR. Smiths re-
instatement. Cooler heads prevailed
and 1t was decided to take the matter
up in the regular way. But neverthe'
less the word went down the line
stand by Smith" Every old soldier
pledged himself to do that, and the
consequence will be that, even il
Smith has to wait until the board
meets in September, the protest
against the governors ruling will be
registered, and in no uncertain way.
Tomorrow night Uncle Sans pos
G. A r. will hold a meeting and the
incident of DIR. Smiths dishonorable
discharge from the home will be dis
cussed. The old soldiers yesterday
went about the grounds discussing tht
discharge and repeating the phrase
stand by Smith,
The comrade who was with DR.
Smith at the time he made the remark
about Treasurer Moore and to whon
DR.. Smith was speaking yesterday
wrote a letter to Treasurer Moore or
the subject. He was notified to come
to headquarters and make a statement
He said that Mr. Moore was interest
ing himself in securing the reinstate-
ment of DR.. Smith and had stated Nc
recommended that the charge against
him be dismissed. The men resent
Governor Cochrane's ruling in the case
and propose to stand by Smith"
The offense for which DR. Smith was
discharged was committed about a
month ago.
Veterans Take Stand
The veterans of Uncle Sans pos
tomorrow night will take stand in the
Smith case, will probably adopt resolu'
tions. and if he is not reinstated will
probably go to court and make a tes
case of it.
1--WE propose to make a test case o.
this and see how far the governor!
authority extends, and whether or no
old soldiers can get Justice in the ma
tional homes" said one of the veterans
I'm this case we believe that an in
justice has been done, and if the heaC
of the home will not give redress where
1t should be given we will appeal t.
the courts"
The soldiers have raised a fund o
$4,000 for the purpose of making thu
test case in court, and letters have beef
written to the general counsel of thu
G. A. r. in Salt Lake City setting fortl
! the facts, and asking his advice anC
cooperation in the prosecution of {
suit, should it become necessary.
| Uncle Sans post Will very l1Kel.
pass resolutions tonight condemninl
the governors action, and calling upoI
him to rescind the order made in thi
case, and If he does not act favorabl!
on this demand the post will send {
copy of the resolutions to the genera
counsel at Salt Lake City, and will
! then institute legal proceedings to hav'
| him reinstated by the courts.
Sad Incident Recalled
eve remember when Charley Roone!
was given the gate" said veteran
1.-THE next day we found Charley deaC
under the trees at Sawtelle We have
not forgotten that, and we shall no
| forget it. 1t happened soon after Coch
rane came in as governor of the home
Charley had been drunk, and wa
caught twice. Cochrane gave him thu
gate, and he went away heart-brokeI
| and homeless. We do not forget thes'
things, and Cochrane knows it."
The incident of Dr. Smiths discharg
from the home overshadowed othe
things at the home yesterday. but Their
was also some dissatisfaction on &C
count of the order issued as to the per
Torrance given by Murray & Mack a
the home theater last night. Some o
the veterans wanted to take their wives
and there are many of them who's
families live In Sawtelle. They wer
told that they could come themselves
hut they could not bring their wives
This was all right so long as II was un
derstood that the seats were to be hell
for the old soldiers, but when the.