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

to lead the nations Of the world in such
a provision for old-age workers, not only
in the government service but In private
employment. But SO far as the men who
served the country in the sixties are con-
cerned, they ought to be cared for until
they are laid away in the flag they helped
to preserve.
What If these men are old, blind. Grip
pied. tottering. some of them perhaps no
longer efficient? AS Senator Smoot says,
never a bill that comes before Congress
but what could be cut sufficiently to take
care of any expense necessary Tor these
old soldiers. Economy at the expense of
the saviors of the nation! The American
people do not look upon these old soldiers
as a business proposition. There was no
talk of efficiency or economy in 1851.
There should be none now
First Resolution Adopted.
George H. Lillibridge sang two solos
and Mrs Isabel Worrell Ball presented
a bouquet of flowers to Commander Glee-
son for his efforts in behalf of the G. A.
R. veterans. The fir& of the two reso-
lutions that were passed declares:
NV lille the law does not specifically
provide for the protection OF those civil
ians employed under the civil service as
in the case of the veterans OF the several
wars we at the same time are in full
sympathy with any such who may pc
separated from the service on account OF
age or alleged inet!iciencN, and We Will
do all in our power to aid them in their
troubles.
I'VE respectfully and earnestly appeal
to the President Of the United States and
the several executive officers of the sew
eral departments to give this class OF
employees, when worthy, the same kind
consideration as we ask for others
Text of Second Resolution.
The second resolution declares:
There stands on the statute books to-
day. an act Of Congress approved August
g. 1912. regulating all promotions. de-
motions or dismissals. in the several
executive departments in the District Of
Columbia under civil service rules and
there is this provision of section of said
act affecting all honorarbly discharged
soldiers and sailors, to wit:
Provided, that in the event of re-
auctions being made m the force in any
of the executive departments no honora-
bly, discharged soldier or sailor whose
record in said department is rated good
shall be discharged or dropped, or re-
duced in rank or salary.
ANY person knowingly violating the
provisions of this section shall be sum-
marily removed from office, and may also
upon conviction thereof he punished by
a fine of not more than 81 OvJ or by i'm
prisonment for not more than one year.
Excuses Wholly Unsatisfactory.
There have been recently several dis
charges in some of the executive depart
ments including seven honorably dis
charged soldiers in the city post Office
and three in the Washington navy yard
whose records are rated good, and the
excuses given for said discharges being
wholly unsatisfactory, and clearly in vio-
lation of the statute passed for their
protection.
THE officers of the Department of the
Potomac. G. A. R, after careful investi-
cation and fully believing that said dis
charges were unjustitied and unwarrant-
ed have made strenuous efforts before
the officials of said departments to pre-
vail on them to restore said veterans
to their former positions, and have made
urgent appeals not to throw these old
defenders of the flag and the Union out
poverty and mental anguish in their de-
Ginning years without so far any favor
able action thereon.
Unpatriotic and Illegal Action.
Therefore be it resolved by the pa
triotic citizens of the District of Columbia
including members of the Grand Army
and other war veterans in public meeting
assembled this first day Of June. 1914.
that we do most respectfully and earn
estly enter our protest against the I'M
patriotic and illegal action Of the de-
partment officials in discharging these
veterans, which action we believe to be
in direct violation Of the letter as we'll
as the spirit of the law.
That in view of the above facts we
earnestly petition the prompt restoration
of these veteran war heroes to their for
mer positions.
That the chairman of this meeting
appoint a committee of three persons to
present a certified copy of these resolu-
ton to the President of the United
States. to each member of his cabinet and
to each member of the Senate and House
of Representatives.
THAT this committee shall be empower
e dto provide ways and means and to take
such further action in the premises as
they may deem proper and necessary"
WANTS PENSION COMMITTEE.