The Washington times., 1914-08-27
VETERANS TO APPEAL
TO THE ENCAMPMENT
Dismissal From Government
Places win Be Laid Before
Grand Army Session.

Dtsmiseals and demotions Of @. A r.
'eterans. especially those cases in the
ostoffice Department and more recent
in the Pension Office IN Washington.
I'll be made a national issue when the
eterans' cause is presented 10 the Ma
Ional Grand Army encampment in De-
rot next week.
Washington Grand Army men will lay
oefore the encampment a complete
-ecord of the cases OF alleged discrim-
nation against old soldiers and their
widows. One of the most vigorous
Locuments to be used at the encamp-
nent and which that body will be asked
% authorize for national circulation, is
the statement prepared by DR.. J. h.
ileeson, department commander Of the
Department of the Potomac. This
statement was Incorporated in the Con-
gressionsl Record last Friday by Con-
gressman Clarence Miller, of Minnesota
Defends Old Soldiers.
CONGRESSMAN Miller made a stirring
defense of the old soldiers in his intro
ductory remarks before presenting Or.
Gleeson's comment
1T appears that the cid soldier has
been a very severe sufferer under the
present Administration Some inter-
esting records are being prepared, show
ing throughout the civil service hun
dreds of old soldiers denoted or ex-
peIled, and apparently in open defiance
II existing law
''Dr. J. K. Gleeson. for many years a
prominent physician of the city Of
Washington. sends me a communication
which ne has prepared with great care
after extensive research. The COM
nunication contains, first, a partial list
# old soldiers who have recently been
denoted in the United States Census
Office. There f0rws q commentary on
:hese removals
1T appears TO be popular to praise our
citizen soldiers IN extravsgant Ian
guage. honor them. almost glorify them
when they enlist in their country's serv-
ce. and yet there appear to be some of
our citizens in official positions who
are willing. if they do not desire. to
tumiliate the citizen-soldier in his de-
lining days, curtail his means of sup
port, and cause him to die, wondering
what has become Of his grateful coun-
Try"
Believe Now Is the Time.
II is believed by G. A r. men that
this is the psychological time, when the
soldiers of other nations are so much in
the limelight. to make strong appeal
for provision for the old age of soldiers
who fought to preserve their country.
Commander Gleeson gives the cases of
twety-one men denoted in the Pension
Office. One of these is a son of Mai.
Gen. o. 0. Howard. Two are men who
lost an arm in the service. One had
four brothers in the service besides
himself, and another had three brothers
lighting by his side.
In many of these cases the amount
of the demotion is more than the pen
sion received by the veteran" Com
Tnander GleeSon states. and in other
cases all or nearly all of his pension
has been sequestered or confiscated in
violation of the decisions of the Supreme
Court of the United States"
Causes Much Regret.
Commander Gleeson quotes in full an
address made by the Commissioner of !
Pensions, G. n. Salzgaber. in which the |
commissioner states the necessity for |
4 reduction in the number of employees |
in the bureau has caused officials much |
regret.
''The fact is" Commander Gleeson |
asserts. in one portion OF his comment |
that these veterans, the heroes of
many bloody battles, where their cour- |
age did not fail. are now in their old |
age SO cowed by the effect of the rebel |
forces now in the saddle that they do !
not dare 10 make a move in defense of |
their rights. as distinctly provided for
by the act Of August %. 1872 for fear
that the sword suspended over their
heads by this address might be let go J
at any time and end for all time their
official life
Comma ander GIeeson also attempts TO
show that, in most cases. the demo-
tons were simply TO make room for
Democratic petitioners for patronage.