New-York tribune., 1919-08-31
Asks New York to
Suppress Men Who
Peddle i'm Uniform
Major Kilbourne in Behalf
Of fWarDepartment Warns
Public of Activities of Elk.
Soldiers Who AreCrafting

An Official appeal to New Workers,
aNlng them to do their part in pre-
venting the shameful abuse of the
uniform" by discharged service men
who continue to wear it so that per
sons will buy the wares they are ped
ling, was sent to The Tribune yester-
day by Major c. Z. Kilbourne, U. S. A.
Major Kilbourne says that the pub.
lie is being exploited by these mas
queraders. and that since they are
actually violating no law the only way
TO stop their predations is by edu-
eating the public
"The following" he says, "are the
outstanding facts:
81 The letter from the adjutant gen
eral used by these men to indicate that
the War Department approves is mis-
leading. That letter was merely a
statement that these men wouldr not be
subjected to molestation by military
authorities after their discharge. Of
course, military authority ceases with
their discharge and the civil authority
takes full control. No real soldier can
m,
W. These men are using the uni
form to make sales they could not
make in citizens clothing; in word,
they are exploiting patriotism.
3. These men can all obtain en-
ployment which Is not dscreditable if
they were looking for work instead of
easy money.
II. In one instance it was found that
the magazine had number Of uni
forms at its Office, which the pedlers
donned before going out on the street
and removed after work was finished
This plainly shows that the men wore
the uniform only for its influence on
the public.
'5. These men make an especial
drive at women. Their behavior in fol-
lowing women, holding the paper in
front of them until purchase is made
out Of pure embarrassment, probably
would result in some man interfering
except for the uniform.
"6. During the parade of the I'd Di-
vision these men sold an official report
already made public under the guise of
all about the I'd Division
"Work" Three Days Week
~: Some Of these men make enough
IN three days to LAY off, the rest of
the week. This is a time when the eff
forts of the War Department are d.
rected toward seeing that all soldiers
are reemployed in productive work
the great need of our country.
S. Complaints are received at this
office that these men gain admission to
offices and buildings where solicitors
and podlers are not admitted,' and be-
cause they wear the uniform are not
put out, as any other nuisance would
be.
80. The people have been taxed fully
Tor the support Of the army. In addi-
ton, they have contributed literally to
the various welfare societies, ali of
which are still active in operation for
the soldiers and ex-soldiers. These
me1 are asking you to repeat for their
lndlvidual benefit what you have al
ready done Tor the benefit of all who
wear the uniform.
40; Several cases have come to our
knowledge of subscriptions taken for
magazine for the benefit of wounded
soldiers The Receipt for the subscrip
ton was all the public received in re-
turn. The magazines were never pub-
lished.
~. Practically all who wore the
uniform are ashamed Of this misuse
Of it. ''''' N''
"12. Cases are known of men ac-
ceptlng money from those who refused