Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-21
CAPTAIN WATTS
 Of VOLUNTEERS
 DENIES CHARGES

Captain Watts of the Volunteers of America submits the following in re- ply to charges made by citizens at a meeting of the council Monday night: To the Good People of Pine Bluff:
 As one of the Volunteers of America, regret exceedingly the necessity of rushing into print" to examplify my work, and like Pharasise of old, ex- claim "see what I have done" nor would in any sense do this, except for a long, almost scathing artickle. appearing in this mornings Graphic dealing with me and my work as if were viper living on the flotsem, and ietsam of humanity-the scum of the earth if you please to so put it.
 The Volunteers of America, is a chartered institution existing under the supervision of the government, and the church, vouched for, and man. aged by clean, God fearing men and women who believe in helping the liv- ing, as well as burying the dead, and it is the striving victim of greed. averace, and pride, that we delight to ''give another chance for his white alley"
 The artickle referred td as appearing in the Graphic, is the reported pro- ceedings of the Board of Mayor and Alderman held at the City Hall last night, when Mayor Bloom to my utter surprise 'opened the bombardment" on me and my work, saying should not be allowed to solicit subscriptions unless I give an accounting of what l do. ~
 I am under the supervision of the organization, report all do to those above me in authority, and my books, my home, my work is open at all time to the inspection of any sincere man or wOman-I quote investigation.
 I am at loss to determine why Mayor Bloom has so completely "changed front on this question. since as late as September 9th. 1915, His Honor" wrote me at Broken Law Okla. that he would cordially welcome me back to Pine Bluff-good old Pine Bluff as he put it, and wished me good luck etc. This letter is now in my possession--and also subject to ln- spection.
 A part of this "bom mbardment" was the charge that Mrs. Watts and my self would "bring under one roof, de- liniquent girls, fallen women, young children, tramps, and hobos. This is untrue-it is worse than untrue-it is ISLANDER, as we'll as the statement of Mr. Holdiness that had agreed to move out of the place if were re- imbursed as to expense of moving and did move out, and back again.
 bought this place from Mrs. Moore, and have agreed it for bond for title. heard of no objections until moved in, then the "bombardment" Opened-and has continued uptil now
 and as MT. Holderness tells me will continue for all time. I did move away. and tried to make peace, and 1t was then that Mir. Holderness out of his bigness CD of heart gave me ten dollars-my hauling expences alone was ten dollars, to say nothing of weeks woek, and other expences in addition to exposing my whole family to the most excitement weather we have had--all to please MT. Holdiness.
 There is nothing to base the asser- tion upon that collect $2,400, in cash per year, I receive no salary from any source except two dollars and fifty cents per .week-provided it is not used in comforting some one not so fortunate as we are. I wonder it there is "Saintly Minister working for this pittance- -Or is any dispessor of charity working for this kind of a stipend.
 My purpose, as we'll aus that of Mrs. Watts is to administer to those in need-cheer the faint, nurse the sick, lift the fallen-and keep those whose contact with life brings them face to face with temptation from falling, and we are sure that when our methods are looked into, the people who live under the banner of Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" will vindicate us, and help in this so much needed work.
 CAPT. R. D. WATTS.
 Dated at Pine Bluff Ark. March 20. 1917.
 The University of Wisconsin claims the largest number of women athletes