The Washington herald., 1922-09-08


tery's grounds. but he stated: 'T
can make no arrest unless the per-
son Is mutiiating or destroying gov
ernment property"
In commenting on the conditions
existing around the cemetery, Col.
Bonnycastle said:
"I know that the conditions exist
practically as described. A year
ago I tried to take action by ask
ing the Department of Justice to
deputize me and some other man.
SO we would have the power to ar
rest Offenders. This request was
refused and since then have let
the matter drop"
Need omciaI Order.
It was stated at the Department
of Justice yesterday that an official
order would have to be received
from the Secretary of War before
an investigation could be started to
determine who owns the disputed
territory and who has civil con-
processes and make arrests.
1t was pointed out at the de-
partment that the land upon which
the military road is built. and ad-
jacent property, was either ceded
to the United States by the State
of Virginia, OF the government con-
demned it. In the event that the
State of Virginia ceded the land
to the United States. the exact
conditions Of the cession will have
to be Investigated before It will be
known who has civil authority over
IL. Department officials pointed
out that it is possible for Virginia
to have (1) ceded IL to the gov
ernment absolutely-in which the
latter would have full and abso-
lutte authority over the cession:
and (2) Virginia may have made
the reservation that she shall have
the right to make arrests on the
land. As far as could be ascer-
tanned up to the present time there
has been no recognized authority
on the property. Arlington County
officials are said to be loath to
police It, claiming 1t to be gov
ernment property, and the govern
ment has not done SO.
Executives OF patriotic organiza-
tions were bitter yesterday in de-
nunciation of those shallow
minded persons who deliberately
haunt vice in Americas most
sacred place"
There should be cooperation
between Arlington County and
Federal officials to stamp out this
| disgraceful condition" declared
Selden Ely. president of the Sons
of the American Revolution, "and
1 am in favor of a heavy punish
ment for those found violating the
hallowed ground"
Il am in favor of immediate
| action" asserted Watson B. Miller,
department commander of the
/ protest against the conditions.
Shocked at Situation.
81 am shocked to learn Of such
a deplorable situation. 1t is al
most unbelievable" said Mrs. How
ard Hodgkins, vice president gen.
eral Of the Daughters OF the Amer
lean Revolution.
Immediate government action
should be taken to halt this in
suit against American heroes and
I
/ terry. Such a condition is terrible"
| declared Mrs. Francis st. Clair,
vice president Of the Daughters Of
American Colonists.
Il will back up with all my pow
or any movement that will stamp
out the condition now defiIing the
shrine OF American patriotism" as
/ serted Mrs. Noble Potts, president of
the Daughters of 1912.
Wants Action Taken.
While 1 am not an officer in Maj.
L'Enfant Chapter of the D. A. R.,
am sure I am expressing the con-
victions of every member in that
organization, when ! say tnat they
are in full accord with any move
| directed against those who deliber-
ately do wrong amid the hallowed
surroundings of the Arlington Ma
| tional Cemetery" added Mrs. Potts.
Il enter my protest against the
unusual conditions prevalent in the
National Cemetery, and hope steps
will be taken to wipe them out"
declared Maj. H. L. DEAN, comman-
der Of the Department of the Po-
| tomac. Grand Army of the Repub-
| lie.
II wish to enter protest with all
my might against tne insults per-
/ petrated upon our heroes lying in
Arlington Cemetery, and 1 am in IA
vor of severe punishment for those
committing these un-American
acts" said Gen. Anton Stephan, De-
| partment Commander. Veterans OF
Foreign Wars.