Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-22

A y
| investigation into what is known as
the post fund quickly uncovers an ir'
regular use of some OF the money,
and develops some curiosity a. to
what becomes OF a vast amount OF
the rest of this fund. An act of con-
gress passed July /. 1902. provides
that any balance OF pension money
due a member of the home at the
time OF his death shall be paid to
his widow. minor children. or depen-
dent father or mother. I'm the order
named, and II no such heirs are dis
covered within one year after the
soldiers death. said balance shall be
paid to the post fund OF the branch
where the soldier was member. This
money, the law specifically states,
shall be used for the common bene-
fit of the members OF the home"
Many years ago the board adopted
regulation designed to carry that
provision OF law into effect in prac-
teal manner. This regulation pro-
vides that there shall also be added
to the post fund the revenues derived
from the store and the hotel. and that
the net profits of the fund shall be
used for the increase of the library,
the maintenance of the bands, when
appropriations for that object are in
sufficient, and such other purposes as
will best conduce to the enjoyment OF
the members OF the home. Among the
items of expense under the post fund
last year. Is l-3 per cent of the whole
sum paid out is Jumped under the
head of Miscellaneous" and il car
r.es S53. Amusements, the
main purpose Of the post fund, carry
hut S39.G6426. This miscellaneous
item is due either to a bunglesome
method of keeping books, or an utter
Tor motive of cOncealment, and one
is Just as reprenhensible as the other.
Now, maybe We can on our own ac-
count throw some light into this
mystery of finance Not great while
ego il was planned to build an Of
fetal residence at the Dayton Home
for one of the officers. Headquarters
In New York, April 3, 1910, fixed up
the Job and sent the specifications to
Dayton. Follow me while | read the
proceedings of what is known as the
post fund council of administration.
The meeting was called TO take act
ion on an agreement for special privi-
lege of conducting popcorn and
peanut stand on the home grounds,
and for such. other business as may
properly come up (Laughter.)
Financial Gymnastics.
Before the meeting was over $4,000
had been voted from the post fund
10 build a residence for the superin-
tendent of the post fund" The tpith
Of this whole matter is that the com
missary of subsistence had Joined to-
his title just named the additional
title of superintendent of post fund.
The last-named relation is. of course,
a mere incident TO his important dut-
les in the subsistence department, yet
this technical connection with the
post fund was useu as thin excuse
TO take 81, 900 inten0ed for the benefit
of the members and apply it for pur-
pose which congress never would have
Endorsed had the fact been manfully
and honestly stated. The post fund.
with its miscellaneous item o. S53, 1S2.
seems to be a fruitful field for financ-
.al gymnastics. Perhaps that explains
the order issued last June to deprive
the soldiers of part OF their pensions.
Seventy per cent of the money so
withheld would ultimately have found
it's way to this post fund. Then, this
miscellaneous item of $33.1S2 doubt
less also locates the place from which
came the several hundred dollars ex-
pended to buy cigars, champagne,
cocktails, gin. and other liquid aids
to official inefficiency in the boards
visits to one home only. In this day
and age everything seems to be consti-
"a
clause of that historic charter. The
soldiers home administration has
doubtless discovered provision Of
law equally as nexible as the general
welfare provision, and IL comes in
under the amusement" regulation, Is
joined to the post fund
| ask the members to consult the
hearings and see the effort the able
Judge Smith, on the committee on
appropriations, made to discover the
mystery of the post fund.
Mr.. Dawson. How is it provided?
Mr. Cox. of Ohio. From the accrued
pensions left by pensioners who have
died without heir.
Mr.. Chairman, how much time have
| left, pleases
The Chairman. The gentleman has
1 five minutes.
Mr.. Cox. of Ohio. Thank you.
The duplicity exhibited in the man
| irulation OF the post fund is not the
only instance OF preconceived plans
and policies TO mislead and deceive. i
think Ii has been proven to the salts
faction OF every man within the range
of my voice that civilians are disPlac-
ing the soldiers in the homes in
large numbers. Anu yet within year
the board prepared a newspaper art
:cle and then sought to have 1t print
ed broadcast. II elaborated on the
soldieremployee feature. and quoted
visitor to one OF the homes as say
inc