Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-02

lner. were Senator Jones of Washing
| ton, Senator Smoot of Utah and Rep
resentative Tess of Ohio. all of wh0Ca
made speeches denouncing the course
eminent which have dismissed or are
trying to dismiss old soldiers.
Two sets of resolutions We're passed,
one urging consideration for old SOL
diers. the other asking consideration
for civilians who may be separated
from government service because of
age or alleged inefficiency.''
Senator Kern, who was to have been
Il do insist that the government of the
United States shall take steps for the
care and protection of these old public
servants who by reason of age and in
trinity are unable longer to do the
work required Of them
Cautions His Hearers.
Commander Gardner cautioned his hear
ers as to one phase of their difficulties in
these words:
1t berooves every man in public serv-
ice, old soldier or not, to do his duty to
the government, and in the case of an old
soldier not to presume upon his war rec
ord to keep him in employment whether
he is able to do the work required OF him
or not
With these views, Senator Smoot, Sena-
tor Jones and Representative Fess were
evidently not in sympathy. They declared
for the retention in government service OF
G. y. Il. men a matter of patriotism
and sentiment. irrespective of the ablll-
ties of old soldiers. Commander Gardner,
however. after pointing out that appeals
had been made to him from various
cities. where, he said. dismissals and re-
quests for designations are going on.
stated that he is certain the general pub
lie is not in sympathy with the So-called
unfriendly attitude of executive depart
ments toward G. A. r. men, and he con-
cluded with the threat:
If this thing continues the Grand
Army of the Republic will appeal to the
court of last resort-the American
people,"
AT the elections" and I'm November
members of the audience interjected.
Commander Gardner said he regretted
that Mr.. Gordon. as chairman, had
spoken of political parties by name,
when the latter declared that "a promi-
nent democrat at the Capitol" asked
him not to hold last nights mass meet
ing. las the subject was charged with
national politics"
Commander Gardner said in part:
G. A. R. Victims in Other Cities.
Saturday night l attended meeting
in Brooklyn. n. Y. of L. S. Grant Post.
perhaps one of the most influential
G. A. r. posts in the country, and there
this question was brought to my atten-
ton. officially. These demotions. dis
missals and requests for designations
are taking place in other cities besides
Washington. In Brooklyn l was asked
to see what l can do to stop them.
A few weeks ago l was in Boston. and
the matter was also taken up with me
there. 1 have also received letters from
st. Louis, Chicago and New Orleans,
containing similar complaints.
Now, we are not here as part1SanS.
regret the chairman has used
the names of political parties. I
forced to believe. however, that
there is an unsympathetic feeling in
the government service toward my COM
rades of the G. A R. I cannot help
but feel that they are taking advantage
are passing judgment upon US unsym-
pathetically. 1t must stop, and we must
organize resistance that will be felt
not only in Washington. but all along
the line.
Mr.. Gordon said, in part:
Il charge these people in the executive
departments of the government with pay
ing their political debts at the expense
of the old soldiers of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
Under these circumstances even Mexi-
co might well point at us the finger of
scorn. What an example to set the young
man now in the army or who may be
called on to fight, perhaps. in Mexico.
y
old age affords such young men,
Mr.. Gordon's Plan of Action.
now, We are going to take this battle
to headquarters. We shall first ask the
assistance of each and every senator and
representative in Congress. personally
and individually. We shall ask the as
sistance of each cabinet member We
shall ask the assistance of Vice Presi-
dent Marshall. and we shall ask the as
sistance of President Wilson. And If we
do not get the help We need we will take
the tattle to the 100000 voters of the
country. and. if We do, I venture to pre-
dict that we will change some of the
political destinies of this country, for
men no longer vote for parties; they vote
for Individuals
DR.. Gleeson said, in part:
Our object should be solemn, re-
spectful, but most earnest protest against
the cruel practices that have been put