New-York tribune., 1921-04-21
Cillen Will Ask
Libel Warrants
For His Critics
Head of Disabled Soldiers
League Denies Charges of
Encouragement and Says
Any One May See Books
Court Action Considered
American Legion Likely to
Seek Public Accounting
i'll Interests of Veterans

GeorgeS II. Gillen, president Of the
National Disabled Soldiers League,
went before Assistant District Attor-
ney Murphy yesterday in defense Of
his administration Of the organization
against charges Of mismanagement
made by Julius s. Berg and Sidney A.
Marks, former officers of the league.
Gillcn said last night he would 90
into a magistrate's court to-day and
ask warrants charging Berg ard
Marks with criminal libel. He made
categorical denial Of the charges
contained in statement Of resigra-
tion by sixty-seven members of the
league and said the leagues books
were open for inspection BY any one
Interested. Donations to the league.
Gillen explained, have been for the
purpose Of expanding the organiza-
ton.
1t became known yesterday that the
American Legion headquarters in this
cnty has on file afldavits of former
ofhcers and members Of the league,
bearing on the charges made against
Gillen's administration and that the
Legion for two months has been seek
ing to get at the bottom of the trouble
within the league. Colonel Frederick
". Galbraith jr., national commander
OF the Legion, who was in the CITY for
short time yesterday, said repeated
requests had been made upon Mr.. Gill
len for a statement as to the financial
affairs of the organization. The state
ment had not been Forthcoming. he
said, and the investigation Of the
leagues affairs therefore was incom-
plete.
May Appeal to Courts
1t is probable, state official of the
Legion said, that legal pressure NAV
De brought to bear to force q public
accounting by the present officers of
the League. Such action, it was said.
would be taken not because Of anv
l3urlsdlctional authority of the Legion
put IN the interests Of the public. and
disabled soldiers who may or NAV not
nave been members of Gillcn's organi-
zation. "'''"
Afurther recital of the charges against
Glllen was made yesterday by Sidney A
Marks, of 332 East Fourth Street. for
mer wee commander of the national
organ'zation and president of the stu
gent body. at the Lincoln Institute for
vocational Training in this city. Marks
ealu ne made twenty trips to Wash
ingeon IN behalf of disabled ex-serv-
ICE men OF this city prior to the for
that he had obtained for them m nm
ward of 100000 in adjusted comnep-
sation and arrears. One hundred ad-
uIelonal members of the League signed
aca atenents of resignation yesterday.
n, ne SAID, and 150 of the 450 students at
Ihe Lincoln Institute who are mem
oers OF the league had signified their
intention of quitting the organization.
Says Life Was Threatened
Marks declares that as vice-com-
mander he was never permitted to aee
tne organizations books and that he
cause OF his demand for an account
ing ne was ousted without the formal
,,eH OF the charges against him being
heard. In an affidavit he saws that
!1illen came to his home when he was
~, ana IN conversation which fol-
ioweo threatened to kill him. Gillen
says Marks's statement is absurd. and
adds that Marks was ousted on the
VI AhoIHdS L. CnaQDOurne. then
chairman of the leagues advisory coun-
cll, Of which Herbert Hoover and Rabbi
Stephen S. Wise were also members.
Glllen admitted yesterday that he
was elected temporary thairman of the
League by four men, Julius S. Berg.
1ormer state tpasurer of the league;
Joseph Heatherfhgton and Miles Swee.
neyy, former officers and coorganizers
with others in forming the organiza-
tionl, and Marks, who also has been
chairman of the City Post Of the
league. AS to the charge that he
had refused to call a convention for
the purpose of electing permanent Of
flcers, Gillen told reporters that there
never had been sufficient money on
hand to defray the expenses Of a ma
tlonal convention; that as soon as
there were sufficient funds he honed'
10 call one, and that this probably
would be done in the next two months.
A. T. Schmidt. the treasurer of the
league, who accompanied Gillen to the
district Attorneys office yesterday
with the organization's books and other
papers, confirmed to reporters the
statements made by Gillen.