New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-03-01
Officers DENY
Share i'm Plan
10 Aid Troops
Names of Captain Roosevelt
and Major McIlvaine
Used Without Authority
Facts Stated in Letter
World War Veterans Idea
Declared To Be Worthy,
but Need Revision

Lack Of harmony in the ranks of the
World War Veterans of America was
disclosed yesterday, when two mem
bers. whose names have been used by
tho organization, denied they were as
sociated with it.
In letter sent to the newspapers
yesterday afternoon Captain Archibald
Roosevelt and Major Tompkins Nc
llvaine, who had been announced as it's
treasurer, said they had given no au-
thority for use Of their names.
The letter follows:
"The undersigned desire to correct
certain erroneous statements given to
tho public that they arc connected
with an organization known as World
War Veterans Of America They are
In no way connected with that organi-
nation.
Recently group OF discharged
young officers and enlisted men start
ed an organization for relief of and
so secure employment for discharged
soldiers and sailors. under the name
Soleiera' and Sail,rs' Protectivs Asso-
ciation.' with Offices at Fortieth Street
and broadway. Being without funds
and having gotten heavily in debt. the
National Civic Federation appointed n
committee Of fourteen. of which MIR.
Lawrence Abbott, of The Outlook was
chairman. TO assist these young men
In the endeavor named by raising funds
sand otherwise.
Name OF Organization Changed
"Aiaiof Mellvaine accepted the treas
hfetshin IT this Committee OF Fourteen.
aud Captain Rooaevelt agreed TO lend
his assistance 60 the association, both
heihe ia sympathy with any movement
ef this sort thereafter. and without
their knowledge. the name OF the asao.
eiAtlen was changed to World War
Veterans of America and charter
secured with the purpose OF forming
a national army and navy association,
and literature and statements were
given TO the public. and efforts made
10 enroll members and collect funds.
he name OF Captain Roosevelt (and it
Is understood the names OF others)
vas inclndesl without his consent
among the names of the directors,
and the name Of Major Nell
vaina was included as treasurer Of
the organization, with a statement that
Inc metropolitan Trust Company of tho
City of New \ ork was the depositary
The only connection CT the trust
company was that it was the deposi-
try Of the funds to be collected by
Major McIlvaine. as treasurer of the
Committee OF Fourteen. AS soon as
:hesc facts came TO their attention, the
undersigned notified the young men in
question that all funds collected by the
World War Veterans of America
ould be returned. and all statements
the kind dsavowed.
Reorganization Is Suggested
The unders igned believe the relief
work being done by the Soldiers and
Sailors Protective Association is ex-
ce!lent and that the movement should
be furthered, provided it is reorgan-
ized and conducted along proper lines.
They do not indorse, however, the
World War Veterans of America and
have never been a part of that organ
lzation nor authorized the use by it
OF their names.
An army league of the veterans Of
this war is in process of formation
overseas by officers and enlisted men
with distinguished records now on the
other side, and their representatives
are on their way to this country, with
full authority TO cooperate with and
include in the association all dis
e"e4 gu 'iteH'oels VI tHe American
forces in this country, with view to
establishment of national, non
partisan army league for the pur-
pose of promoting comradeship, and de-
voted to the service of the nation. As
soon as these representatives arrive
it Is expected public announcement
viii be made Of the definite plan and
the means provided to put it into ex-
ecution
"TOMPKINS McILVAINE,
Late Major u. S. Army.
ARCHIBALD B. ROOSEVELT.
Captain Infantry, T. S. Army u