The National tribune., 1911-03-30
A VIGOROUS. FIGHTING CoNIRADE.
Letter From Gen. ID. T.. Sickles as to
Comrade George b. Loud.

Editor National Tribune: Every time
I read your grand paper. so devoted as
IL is, and yourself too. as you have been
these many long years to the interests
of the old soldiers. l am the more
strongly convinced that The National
Tribune ought 10 be in every patriots
home.
When the American people eontem-
plate that a half century has passed
into history since the loyal homes gave
up their best. many their all, to pre-
serve the Nation, every hat ought to be
lifted in salutation of those of the now
almost phantom host Of survivors. In
this grand progress of to-day new gen.
erations come pouring in. crowding and
iostling more than ever these few re-
naming veterans until there is little
room left, and that begrudged by many
for him who kept the country entire
in the worlds map.
How few they are who contemplate
that all, with barely an exception, per-
haps. of those veterans who to-day hold
subordinate public places. will surren-
der them during the present decade
In this great city, where the grand ag-
gregate of civil war veterans in public
employ exceeds that of any four States
combined, and they. TOO, while unequal
perhaps to the standard of efficiency of
| former years. and working too, with
accurate and thoro as that OF the
youngest employees in the opinion of the
| best judges, and because, too, such is
required of them.
Yet withal many heads of depart
| ments are alert to discover deteriora-
| ton and to crowd these veterans and
make the official lives of many a bur-
den in the many ways they can, putting
| him on half or less time or at some
more difficult work, etc, all of which
| to force resignation, and it Is not posi-
| BILE to eurmcrate or describe the great
! hardships and sufferings which would
| have resulted to the scores rather than
| to the comparatively few veterans and
| their dependent ones had ii not been
that a comrade of this city has proven
equal TO contesting the many cases re-
| ferred 20 HMM fact all are-and
| with such phenomenal success that he
| is regarded rs perhaps the most deter
| mined and successful fighter in the en-
tire country for the rights under the
| laws of the civil war veteran in public
| position.
Fortunate. indeed. that in the more
than 400 cases he has fought in the
departments and in the courts Gen.
George B. Loud, the Chairman of the
New York City Memorial Committee
| has. by his vigorous work, his fearless
ness, determination and persistency,
CoHlDiifeu HllIt tdcI anu diplomacy, won
out in more than 80 per cent of them
and saved the many comrades from
| removal and distress In countless
| homes the details of which will never
be known outside of our Order here.
Gen. Loud came into the very soul
| of the Grand Army of New York City
about five years ago as Chairman, aIrho
wearing the badge of the G. A. R. since
| its inception, after a very creditable
| war service and ha has prnyep a uar-
vel of combined pluck, push and per-
| sistency in solving the painful problems
of the oppressed comrades, and has
justly deserved the lasting gratitude Of
every man everywhere who fought to
preserve the Union. In New York City
he is known and loved by every COM
| rade. and patriot and all the Posts COM
bined In the Memorial Committee unan-
| fmousfy re-elect him year after year as
the Chairman.-D. E. Sickles, Major
General, q. 9. Army, retired, New York,
March %, 1911