New-York tribune., 1919-02-08
Former Bridge Commission
er and Prominent Demo.
crat Joins Hearst Fight
More Ask Money Back
Borough President Still ''Has
Nothing to Say on the
Brooklyn Welcome Fiasco

Deputy Police Commissioner ana a
prominent Democrat as chairman of
the committee on parade and decora-
tions of the Brooklyn Victory Ceebra-
tion Committee yesterday completes the
list<of the most important sub-commit-
tee heads who have declined to serve
under the shadow of Hearst-H -Hylan po-
litical control.
Elimination of Mr.. O'Keeffe brought
the Victory Committee affairs to &
climax, in which many contributors
have demanded to know what disposi-
tion will be made of the $4,000 which
the original committee, led by Nathan
S. Jonas, was largely responsible for
collecting. This movement was spon-
sored by Victor A. Lersncr vice -presi
dent of the Williamsburg Savings
Bank, who is waiting advice from Boz
ough President Riegelmann as to the
disposal of -he funds.
The parade and decorations commit
tee will have charge Of the $4,000.
The Borough President maintained his
reticent attitude toward the things pub
lie interest have demanded to know,
ard he replied, as usual, Il have moth
ing to say"
Many designations Received
designations from irate citizens
showered into the Office of the Bor-
ough President and at the Victory Com
mittee's headquarters, where Repre-
sentative John D. Delaney is the present
chairman. A list of about seventeen
but letters were received by newspapers
and press associations from others
whose departure from the general ard
special committees was not announced
from the Borough Hall.
At Mr.. Jonas Office, at the Manu-
facturer's Trust Company, evidence
continued to pour in from all quar-
ters, in statements and in letters, pur-
porting to show that the interference
Academy of Music was the result of
carefully mapped out campaign ema-
mating from the Mayors office.
Senator William M. Calder wrote Mr.
Jonas from Washington, saying: 81
sincerely trust that you will remain
head of the Brooklyn committee to re
celve our returning soldiers. You can
depend on me to help you in every way
can" The letter was dated Febru-
airy 1, before Mr.. Jonas resignation
from the committee was accepted by
Mr. Riegelmann.
Ask for Money Back
More letters reached Chairman De
laneys Office asking for the return of
received bearing contributions. The
daily average of $1,000, which obtained
during the life of the original commit
tee has fallen SO low, it was learned
unoficially, that only a couple of hun
dred dollars had been taken in dur
ing the last few days.
Among the visitors to Representa-
tive Delaney's office during the day
was John Hastings, the youth who di-
n%oI l., 1
and soldiers who were refused admit
tance to the Academy of Music on the
night of the celebration. Hastings ap-
peared nervous when asked the nature
of his business The chairman was alb
sent. Finally the young man said he
was working "in behalf of the six
months pay for soldiers" and began
telling of the "millions of signatures"
sent to Washington on a petition for
R the money.
1t was learned later in the head
quarters that Repres sentative Delaney
and Borough President Riegelmann will
go over the requests for a return OF
contributions and make decision early
next week. The requests involve most
ly contributions in amounts less than
q hundred dollars.
Negro Troops Expected
The first official welcome by the new
chairman will be held tomorrow, when
Colonel William Hayward's Brooklyn
battallons of negro troops of the old
18th regiment are scheduled to return
The unit now belongs to the 369th in
fantry. Two battalions have been on the
seas for almost a week. Representa-
tive Delaney will be on hand to give
the fighters personal "glad hand
Inc details were not given out.
James II TTndorWnod of tLo Tr,Jor
wood Typewriter Company, and Josiah
.. Low were among the honorary vice
presidents to resign. With the resig-
nation of Mr.. OKeeffe the number of
citizens who have quit the executive
committee totalled seventeen. There
are eight left.
Among the women members to leave
was Miss Mary A. Horn, treasurer of
the Heads Of Department Association
Of the Borough of Brooklyn. In a
letter to Chairman Delaney she said {:
1T IS the desire of the Brooklyn Heads
OF department Association that a do
nation of $25 sent to the committee
January 9th be returned to the asso-
cIatlOn.'
Rabbi Lyons Writes
Rabbi Alexander Lyons of the Eighth
Avenue Temple in Brooklyn sent the
following letter to Mr.. Riegemann:
at is with deep regret that | find
myself unable to continue on the
Brooklyn Victory Committee as at
present constituted and conducted. 1t
has been degraded from lofty patri-
otic purpose to low political per-
sonal profit. 1t is an honor to get
out Of it.. SO please drop my name
at once. The little contribution I made
for the use Of the former committee
] do not now regard as wisely be-
slowed. If. as | think, | have any
moral claim upon that sum, | would
prefer it withdrawn and diverted to
the use of the Red Cross, where it
will serve noble purpose in an un-
questionable manner"
Charles f. Perkins, for more than
seven years a member Of the old 23c
! Regiment, and Il member Of the boarc
Of trustees of the Kings County Trus'
Company, left the committee, writing
to Mr.. Riegelmann and to Mr.. Jonas
supporting the latter's part in the af
fair. Mr.. Perkins wrote the Borough
PRESIDENT
Story of Disturbance
"In view Of the occurrence Of the
last week, | do not feel that | can re-
main on the committee as n member
or have my name used in connection
with it,"
Rufus G. Hynds, vice president of J
A. Deknatel g. Son, Inc, Wythe Ave
nuc and Hayward Street, who, az q
scoutmastcr, had a company of Boy
| Scoufg in thc Acadonv If Mucir NJ Nh n