New-York tribune., 1919-03-03
Cochems Complains to Wan.
amaker Over Dismissal of
Staff With One Days Pay
Appeals for a Square Deal
ARMY Officers Fear Confu-
sion Over Double Issue of
Parade Stand Tickets

come involved in the controversy be
tween the Cochems and Whalen fac
tons Of the Mayors Committee Of
Welcome to Homecoming Troops.
Edward 3. Cochems, deposed eXecu-
tive secretary Of the welcome commit
,cc. it was disclosed yesterday, is pre-
psrins to enter suit against the lead
ins members of the organization.
headed by Rodman Wanamaker. for
weeks salary he says is due six of his
erstvhile STAFF.
He has sent letter to Mr.. Wana
maker, setting forth that he and his
staff assistants were offered but one
Monday, February "a, at 1855 p. m.
Saturday, when they reported at Mr..
Whalens Office for their salaries, they
declined 20 accept the proffer, saying
they should at least be given weeks
wages ss is customary in reputable
business houses and in accordance with
iaw
lie further points out in the letter
-hat the statutes of the State OF New
York provide that where there is
committee of seven or more members
each can be held personally liable for
the payment of just wages.
Many Named in Complaint
Among those affected by the con-
templated action arc Rodman Wana
maker, Daniel G. Reid, chairman Of
thc executive committee William
Randolph Hearst, chairman of the mill
tary committees; Alfred Johnson, vice
chairman Of the executive committee;
paul lhui+iu oh r,rar or {hrs dncOra-
tive committee; A. II. Hastings head
Of tho art committee; Paul Bartlett,
also Of the art committee; f. II. Gary,
Vice-chairman of the executive com
mi;tee Michael Friedsam, OF the
transportation committee; Frank l..
Bowling, chairman Of the illuminating
committee, DR.. John A. Harris. head OF
thc naval committee; Otto B. Shul-
hoF of the soldiers and sailors vel
come committee; John l.. Golden, Of
fhc theatrical committee, and Grover
4. Whalen. secretary to the Mayor and
general secretary OF the present or
ssrization.
Mr.. Cochems asserted. however. that
nc viii not confine his action to these
persons alone. but Will move against
every member Of the entire body if
necessary. There are at present ap-
nroximately 1900 names listed, ac-
cordlng to once records.
Cochems's Letter
The letter. signed by Mr.. Cochems
and received at Mr.. Wanamaker's of
fee II the Hall Of Records. follows:
May not bring to your attention
inc fact that five girl employees of the
staF of the Mayors Committee of We'll
come and an office boy were dismissed
summariy on Monday February "a, at
4;55 ?. m., by Grover A. Whalen?
u was personally dismissed as ex
ecutive secretary and secretary OF the
nagcaut committee at noon of the same
day.
The staff has asked me to represent
mem and to appeal to you for common
Justice in the matter. especially in
vew OF the fact that you are the
chairman OF this public patriotic or
canization charged primarily TO place
he machinery in action for spon-
taneous and unanimous welcome to our
homecoming troops.
The above mentioned employees were
asked to report Saturday, March |, to
receive their pay and all were offered
one days pay only. All of them re-
used 20 accept it, believing that they
should have been paid for full week
on are aware as we'll as am | of the
act that when you were a member OF
me Mayors old committee OF National
Defence. no member OF the staff had
ever been dismissed. no matter what
re reason, except with two weeks pay.
The records will bear this out This
Is customary in all organizations Of
MS kind lnasmuch as it is often diff
hcult, the positions not being perma-
rent, for members Of such a staff to
AXE uD quickly new duties OF a similar
aind.
AS a leading representative of the
commercial interests OF the city, you
are also familiar with the custom that
obtains among business men Of repute
mat weeks pay IS always given, even
IN cases where we may assume that
me enploye was not satisfactory.
Believes Mayor Would Disapprove
4 am sure that a man of your stand
lng in the community would not coun-
tenance such an outrage upon employees
who can Ill afford such treatment
am certain that his honor the Mayor,
Hno has issued statements from Palm
Beach 70 the effect that his greatest
interest as the Mayor of the city is to
conserve the rights, privileges and hu-
name interest of the people OF New
orx, who in many cases are not able
10 care for themselves, would not for
moment justify the action Of those
"no have perpetrated this moral crime
presume that you are familiar
WITH the statutes of New York State
which, J am informed, provide that
"nere there Is committee of seven
or more members each can be held per
sonaiiy liable for the payment OF Just
Ragesl and that the law is very severe
in this matter.
nops | am correctly stating the
statutes as they are placed on the
nooks. II you are too busy 20 take cog
ti1ance Of these matters, which may
sef m 70 you trivial. may suggest they
ere not trivial TO those involved and 10
ne moral sense ~ the community It
"sJ De true that YOU are too busy with
othfr matters that occupy your atten-
ION ana consume your time. but may
not suggest that you are charged by
ne Mayor as the responsible hend Of
ms organization 70 perform patriotic
HvfY. and is - not your business 10
s"o~ tho inner workings of It's aubosd.
fnHsea7
Seeks United Welcome
u Is not my purpose and has not
h'en and never will he, 10 jniure in
any #Ay tho wonderful wsleona that
VII be accorded, committees or no coin
mldfseH, 10 ihe home coming trosps
mere is no person or committee that
~ blg shensh 10 de ~. This waleoms
pie. w.
" may not have even come 10 your M.
Nhtion thht the Mayors seerstarv xu.
IL ian "A ~