New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-27
WOMEN WRASSLE? WE BOY UPSETS
SURE, URGES JOE DEFENCE SOCIETY
Organization Hears Its
Financial Genius Is Ex-
Peacock Alley Bandit.

After a rush meeting at noon yester-
day Of the American Defence Society,
preparedness organization number
ing among it's advisory members Col
onel Roosevelt. Former Ambassador
David Jayne Hill and William +. Nc
Combs, Democratic national chairman.
the resignation of George VI. Baxter,
chief fund collector of the society, was
demanded, TO take effect Immediately.
This action followed the discovery that
Baxter was the George Baxter who,
years ago, was an alleged leading spirit
in the Notorious We Boys organization,
which operated among the gulllble AT
the Waldorf.
The We Boys consisted Of several
groups Of men who engineered. among
other schemes. the sale OF life mem
berships in the Gridiron Club IN Wash
ington. Their solicitors would APP
proach prospective easy marks by say
ing that they wanted 20 help worthy
young newspaper men, and that We
Boys meaning newspaper men in gem
eral would appreciate $500 sub
scription. This would entitle the sub
scriber 20 the privileges of the Wash
ington club for the rest of his days.
Sick in bed with tonsillitis, but look
ing like twin brother to Mr.. j. Rufus
Wallingford. Baxter talked to report
ers yesterday at his home, at 3ll West
Ninety-ffth Street.
Resign? OF course ! won't resign
he declared. There is nothing in my
record of which am ashamed. ! never
was a member of the We Boys, and I
certainly will not hand in my resigna-
tion TO the defence society. If did, it
would be practically admitting that |
am wrong.
"The story in The Evening World
connecting my name with the We BOYS
never would have been published II
that paper had not seen a chance TO
make political capital out Of H. Colonel
Roosevelt is identified with the de
fence society. The World has a well
known animus against him. Anything
discrediting the society will naturally
reflect or him. That is the real ex-
PLANTATION Of this attack"
Baxter. the society freely admitted
Yesterday, was the man who put .he
organization on its feet. Before he
took hold last August it was expiring
rapidly without money enough IN the
treasury to buy postage stamps.
"ln this period we went literally beg
ging for help" {. :. Thompson. chair
man of the board of trustees. recently
reported THE sums we got were not
sufficient TO buy postage. to say moth
ing of rent, telephones. stenographers'
stationery, printing, etc. But under
Mr. Baxter our appeals began 10 SHOW
gratifying results, which ent!tle HIM, |
Shall always believe, TO lasting vote
of thanks
As Baxter. according 70 Mr.. Thomp-
son. has brought 100000 into the
Golfers of the society, the vote OF
thanks continues, but in the light OF
the past il is not deemed wise to en-
ploy him longer. -,
I'VE appointed NJ. Baxter" Mr..
Thompson said, after a thorough eX.
animation and upon dozen or more OF
the highest references. One came
from Major J. J. Dickinson, a near rel
alive of the former Secretary OF war
and a friend of William +. McCombs.'
To make sure. however, that none
Of the contributions have gone astray,
the society decided last night 10 send
letters TO all its members, stating the
amount credited TO each and asking
whether this sum has been actually
given.