The Washington times., 1919-03-29
By BILL PRICE.

Organized grating and begging is
being done in Washington through
Foldiers in the uniform Of the United
States who are being capitalized by
EharpeFs.
Major Pullman, of the Police De-
paTtment, today urges through this
paper that the public be cautious in
encouraging schemes of this kind.
The immense majority Of returning
soldiers are keenly sensitive to con-
Eitions and urge their companions to
refuse TO become parties to begging
processes that belittle their manhood
and the flag. They do not wish to see
the glorious feeling Of admiration and
respect for the soldier taken advan-
tage OF for money-making.
The public can help along a great
deal By referring all soldiers who
seem to be in monetary distress to
any half a dozen organization in
Washington standing ready to give
assistance. The names and location Of
bome Of these are given above.
stranded soldiers are to be met with
ind should be helped. Thousands of
the boys have not received their
bonuses. Some Of them want to get
10 their homes. Keep the addresses
above and help these boys in the
proper way.
Several Grating Schemes.
A Baltimore concern is printing in
red white, and blue cOIors. on a sheet
bf ordinary paper about ten by twelve
inches square, the words, Our Boys,
welcome Home" in the center being
3 shield of the United States bearing
the faces of a soldier and sailor.
These sheets fpaper are sold to men
in uniform for cents each, and
a.. n the hIir
for Is cents or whatever price above
that the purchaser is willing to give.
The sentiments and the appearance
sf the paper are patriotic enough to
kuisIead both the soldier and the pub
fic, giving the possible idea that the
posters are of Government origin.
The same kind Of scheme is being
worked with coat buttons upon which
the words are about the same, like
wise misleading. The firm making
the buttons sells them at cents,
making a big profit at that The
soldiers sell the buttons for 10 cents
or more, more often declining to fix
any price and leaving that TO the per-
son approached.
The ~IndePeBdence" Chap.
The police have their eyes on an
interesting chap who has shown Up N
washington. He dresses well, stops
At q leading hotel, smokes fine cigars
md wears diamonds, the police say.
His patriotic scheme is a large post !
-, ornamented with the figure OF |
Uncle Sam in fun trappings Of red, |
Ehite and blue. This is a member /
ship balnk in Uncle Sans Indepcnd- (
rnce Club" You become a member I
u the club for life by paying 10 cents |
sor the poster, which has a blank line !
- haffnw0 70 e-frr d.
umably you take this poster. which is |
veil gotten up, frame it and hang il ,
ID as evidence that you have again !
-eciared your independence.
The Founder" Of this club. in
plans for extending his business
throughout the country, is sending
letters and samples to prospective
purchasers OF territorial rights in
which he declares that "our nationaI
Independence is at this moment OF
The greatest Importance to our future
- a nation" The club. he says. "is
, eing formed with the purely pa
1-Iotic object of giving each individ-
uaI an opportunity TO decide for him
self or herself, freely. AS TO
WHETHER OR NOT THE cox |
TINUED INDEPENDENCE OF THE
UNITED STATES Is DESIRED"
He Fears League.
By becoming a member of the club /
vaying 10 cents for the poster. you /
unqUestionably favor the continued ]
independence Of the United States I
x hich the writer thinks is threatened I
by the League Of Nations.
The wording of the poster around /
NE picture Of Uncle Sam is in op- /
r.osition TO the League Of Nations. |
declaring that the people Of this !
country will not give up their in 1
dependence by becoming Sub
ssrvtent to a majority vote held by /
Foreign nations" The author de-
rtares this would automatically lose |
he independence which our fore /
fathers fought for
The founder Of the club has ap-
reared on the streets attired as
Uncle Sam, but Major Pullman told
him he would have TO stop that.