New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-27
VETERANS SWEPT
FROM PHILIPPINES
Spanish War Soldiers Pro
test Against Harrison's
Use of Axe.

Further testimony relative 70 the
discharge Of more than 500 Spanish
War veterans from posts IN the Phil
lplines since Francis Burton Harrison
became Governor Genera! is contained
in a letter sent by sydney c. Schwartz
kopf, chairman Of the Veterans com
r -tee or civil service. 20 veterans IN
this country.
The letter accompanies a copy OF me
petition which has been sent 20 Wash
lrgton. II purDorts 20 explain the
wholesale discharge Of the veterans,
some Of whom were dismissed, II says,
on Few minutes notice. The letter,
IN part follow:
"This department IS composed OF men
the majority Of whom served through
out the Philippine instruction, and at
the close remained in the islands as
employees Of the so-called insular
government As the years advanced
and the men definitely decided TO re-
main in the islands, most of them
erected little homes, either married
here or brought wives from home, and
thus severed themselves from all home
connections.
at is true there was always some ag-
itation along the lines OF independence.
but the matter caused little worry
20 the men busily engaged IN earning
their daily bread.
Among these men are all classes,
from bureau chiefs 10 teamsters, and
from architects 10 road fOremen. Some
OF them receive probably large COM
pensations while others, by lar the ma
iority. obtain just enough 70 make a
decent living.
Men Believed Promise.
"Thgs matters stood when there ar
rived in these islands the present Gov
e-nor General az the representative Of
the new administration. A week had
barely elapsed after MS arrival when
he announced through the press and
otherwise that the new administration
would inaugurate retrenchment pol
ic-. that there would be a reduction IN
ealarieg Of more than $4,000 per annum,
hut that there would be no general re-
auction Of the numbers Of employees.
ro~ reduction n salaries below that
amount.
This assurance. coming from the
highest authority, vas readily accepted
b. sU concerned. and every ore be
loved himself entirely safe 1t IS dlin-
cult at the present time 70 say wnetner
the Governor General promised more
than he could carry out. The Assembly
had barely convened when there was
enacted the appropriation Dill WhIch
tended 20 eliminate almost every amer
lean from the service, Dy either aool-
iehinC entirely positions. reducing lhe
salaries from the highest 10 the low
est, or displacing great number o.
Americans whose positions were 10 De
occupied b. Filipinos.
"Wbon the bill reached the upper
house L was found 20 be TOO radlca'
md = conpromise between the two
houses abolished the Bureau o. Nav
gation. and reduced the appropriation
of all the bureaus, the salaries 90 % a..
persons receiving more than >-'oVo PEI
apuun. and in certain instances apo'
ishcd post ons altogether.
..yTbIlo this bill was pending. this or
caniz.tion presented petition 10 the
Covernor General requesting among
r,,nr things that reasonable notlce
ebould he gwen to such persons VINO
,,orc soloctcd for discharge. Inc Gov
nor General assured TINS organization
,,a. he believed the demand 10 ne
rronor one. and issued a circular let'er
"a all bureau chiefs. enJolnlng then ~
M Notice Given.
9TH. appropriation bill was finally
naased by both houses on the last ga :
- Lamar. 20 take effect on the hrsI
dav OF February. Notice or lts passaH
vas received by bureau chefs Al lhe
closing hour. and men were notlhed AS
thcv were leaving for home. ana III
s,me instances BY telephone, that they
reed not return on the next day As
each bureau was reduced IN IT'S amour
az Appropriation, u became necesSdi
10 eliminate from the work o. fuch
bureau certain number OF employees
while others were reduced IN c0mPcn-
cation. even men who received but $40
a month.
"Tbe men thus lot out Of tho service.
IN most cases, we're those Who Would
rud u d ficult 20 obtain other employ
mont. men who would receive barely
enough 20 support Themselves ana tneir
families, and sO-called temporary en-
Moves. vho. while they had served the
government for many years satisiac-
t.rily. had not been placed on the
classified list.
"ro assist those who have suffered
and 10 prevent others from suffering
f-ou the same cause IN the future, IL
becorncs the duty Of this committee 10
nisce thcae' facts before you with the
reouest that you cause your depart
rents and camps TO discuss TINS prop,
os,,ion. adopt similar resolutions and
,,st,uct your national delegates to take
.c,;on AT YOUR next cncampment.