New-York tribune., 1919-01-23
independents Want
Federal Committee
To Welcome Troops
Baker Asked TO Urge Com.
gress to Authorize Such a
Group-Chairnaan Dayi-
SON Points to Advantages

The Independent Citizens Commit
&c Of Welcome yesterday urged War
Secretary Baker to ask Congress to
name a Federal welcoming committee
which would extend the entire nations
greetings TO the American fighting men
Nnen they set foot On home shores
The proposal of Federal welcoming
committee was made in letter to
Secretary Baker by Charles Stewart
DAWSON, chairman Of the executive
com mittee of the citizens organiza-
ton. The present arrangement of local
welcome committees is not producing
consistent results, Mr.. Dawson wrote.
Other of Mr. Davison's arguments tor
4 Federal committee were: That with
Federal committee in 4..arse it would
Gc the nation ns a whole that would be
welcoming the homecomers; that the
soldiers themselves, as we'll as the
home folk. would prefer it that way,
ard that petty questions" which arise
when the welcoming is left to local
committees might be avoided
His letter follows:
Local Bodies Not Satisfactory
"I am instructed by the hide
pendent Citizens Committee of Wei
come Of the CITY Of New York, which
is composed OF over one hundred
patriotic and civic organizations and
also consists OF some 1000 individual
citizens Of New York, respectfully to
call to your attention the general
subject of the appropriate welcom-
ing of the troop soldiers, sailors
and marines returning from foreign
service. 1t has seemed to the com
mlttec that the subject was broad
er one than wouiI appear to have
been recognized, though | doubt not
that you. as the head of the War
Department, have had 4 in mind and
it may Re that the suggestiors of
. this letter have already been under
Consideration
"The various bodies Of troops and
Of the Wounded natuyauy a.l.Ne 81
number of ports and in varying
numbers, and not in the same eroups
in whicn they sailed. The leaving 81
tees, either Of local officials or nom
officials in one uNd another port does
not produce q consistent result
necessarily cannot do so. Without
undertaking to delay you with re-
ciia OF details. it appears that the
subject would be better handled Of
ficially by the Federal government
under the auspices of the War De-
partment than in any other manner.
THE suggestions therefore, which
it is desired to make is that appro-
pirate steps be taken by Congress
under your suggestion through the
adoption of a joint resolution, for
the appointment Of a Federal body
~ mi ttnn tn
supcrinterd the matter at large with
subordinate Federal committees at
appropriate locaiitiol, so jnat There
lnay be uniformity of action and
That the numberless petty questions
which arise and initiate against the
subject being dealt with with dig
nifty end prorriety may be avoided
Troops Would Like 1t Better
1--WE feel sure that in the future
you will look back with the greater
satisfaction to the arduous duties of
your important office if you can feel
tnat the nation as a whole welcomed
its returning troops as prclim-
mary step toward providing for their
future welfare, which latter matter
IS row Justly regarded as of great
i'nnortnnce and is occupying the at
tcnt'on OF many able minds.
"The troops themselves win be he
nctt,r aatisied that their future
reeds arc 20 he carefully. thoroughly
ani 'ntell'gcntly carc.l for ana pro
tectcd It the Wntter Of thei vel.
coming 10 under general national
alsriccs ar d bc but TIE hr step IN
tho'r. r"incorporation undci p.upcr
au,plces. into the general loGy Of
citizens"
lust gnat he Tndependent Citlrens'
Oo,nmittec VIII contribute toward the
W',eome G. "ew York troops win be
definitely agreed upon at meetinr
soon or the committee -on plans.
Committee members said Yesterday
that. 1T will be their policy not 70
duplicate the work that may be es.
sayed by any other orranixatian