New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-20
Soldier Relief
League Facing
Grave Charges
Mismanagement and Fail
ure to Ace cunt for
Money Alleged as Sixty
seven Members Resign
Governor Asked to Revoke
Designation of Week to
Aid Disabled Veterans

Because of alleged acknowledgement
Of the affairs of the organization and
failure of its present officers to show
the disposition of thousands of dollars
collected for the relief of disabled SOL
diers, the National Disabled Soldiers
League is facing breakup.
A statement of resignation by sixty
seven members of the league resident
in this city. which was made public
last night by Julius S. Berg, Of SS7
Morris Avenue, formerly state treas
urer of the league, declares they are
no longer in sympathy with George II.
Gillen. president of the national Or
ganization, or his movement. Governor
Miller is asked to revoke his designa-
ton of Disabled Soldiers Week"
which has been set for May 90 to
June s.
The National Disabled Soldiers
League was formed last August for the
purpose of raising a fund to assist ex-
service men who had been disabled in
the war and had not received proper
compensation or treatment at the
hands of the government. Since that
time large sums have been procured,
largely as the result of speeches made
by Mr.. Gillen before various conven-
tions, at dinners and other functions.
The headquarters of the league is at
405 Lexington Avenue. A. T. Schmidt
is treasurer
400 Expected to Quit
According to Berg, who, with Sidney
A. Marks, of 332 East Fourth Street,
formerly national vice-commander, is
largely responsible for the present dis
affection in the league, there are $50
members of the league in New York
City, of whom 400 are expected to quit
the organization by the end of this
week. Several petitions are in circula-
ton demanding an investigation of the
organizations affairs.
Besides Berg and Marks, other sign
ers of the statement, copies of which
will be sent to-day to the League head
quarters, the American Legion, Vet
Grams of Foreign Wars and to Governor
Miller, include Joseph Heatherington
and Miles Sweeney, both disabled ex-
service men and co-organizers with
Gillen and Schmidt of the national or
ganization.
Berg declares that in his resignation
as state treasurer his charges were
never defended or answered by Gillen,
and he further says that Gillen was
newer eleCteu PRESIDENT fOl Cno League,
but temporary chairman pending the
calling of convention, at which per-
manent organization and permanent
officers were to be chosen. Gillen, he
says, has persistently refused to call
such a convention. Berg also says
Gillen opposed Federal bonus at
Washington as the representative of
the City Post, when the post had voted
to the contrary on the question.
Prominent Names Withdrawn
1t was learned yesterday that the
names of Herbert Hoover Thomas L.
Chadbourne, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise
and other prominent men who accepted
places on the advisory committee of
the League no longer appear on the
Leagues stationery. Berg says this is
evidence that they have severed their
connection with the League.
Berg estimates that the total mem
bershlp OF the League does not exceed
5000. The statement of resignation
asks that "the people of the country
refuse to donate money to the National
Disabled Soldiers League, as we have
reason to believe that very little of the
funds so collected truly reach the dis
abied men in any form of relief" The
suggestion is also made that in place of
Disabled Soldiers Week" the Gov
ernor call Remembrance Week." to
be carried out under the direction of
the Legion and the V. F. w.