New-York tribune., 1922-12-12
.Coler Unfair in
Denying Permit
Say Volunteers
Ordinance Cited in Forbid
ding Christmas SOliciia-
ton Aimed at Fake Char
tiles, Says General Booth
Sanction Twice Refused
Society Charges Commission
er Broke Faith in Holding
Up Permit He Promised

Protesting the refusal Of Public Wei
fare Commissioner Bird S. Coler 70
permit the Volunteers Of America 70
solicit funds in public during the three
weeks before Christmas as a manifesto
,lon Of an arbitrary and uneven hand
General Bailinrton Booth, head Of the
oreanization. In conference with former
Governor Charles $. Whitman, It's
counsel. issued q statement yesteraaJ'
"Wc have no doubt that when the
facts regarding Mr Colors unWar.
ranted attack upon the Volunteers OF
America are known. his action viii DC
cordemned by all people who are IN
terested In the administration OF the
great charities OF this city ana state
said General Booth. I'VE take Il tnht
the ordinance referred 10 In MT
Colers statement was designed 70
eliminate from this city the numerous
fake or unworthy charities .which
sprang up during and immediatciy loI,
lowing the war. The Volunteers OF
America has al all times been, and is
now. willing TO submit TO any reason
abIe and lust r, gulatiOns on the part
Of the city which would enable the
eity 10 weed out or 20 totally restrain
the conduct OF fake or unworthy
charities.
Charge Unfair Discrimination
aIf the Commissioner Of Public We'll
fare should apply this ordinance as
the Board OF Aldermen obviously In
tended that he should. there would be
no complaint on our part. The Board
Of Aldermen did not foresec that Mr.
Coler would administer the law with
an arbitrary and uHeTcn hand. The
committee which drafted the ordinance
In fact expressed faith that all worthy
charities would be granted the permit
required by the ordinance"
In the spring Of 1922, according 70
the Generals statement, the officers OF
the Volunteers Of America applied 20
Mr. Coler for permit 20 carry on
their usual solicitation Of funds M New
York City, but he refused 20 grant the
request. On November p similar ap-
plication was made and again refused,
with no reason except that Mr. Coler
believed the Volunteers OF America
were litigatinr the validity Of the or
dinance, General Booth declared.
"The question whether the ordinance
referred 20 is a valid enactment IS
now pending decision in the Supreme
Court. and 10 would therefore not be
proper for US 10 express an opinion
thereon at the present time the Cen
eral continued. "Mr. Colcr's statement
that the matter will be heard in the
Supreme Court on December ID IS not
true, Mr.. Coler ought 20 know, finai
argument on the question was had be-
fore Justice Mullan. Of the supreme
Court, on December s, 1922. Mr. Golef
also knows the reason for any delay
in bringing the matter on for argu-
ment.
Coier Blamed for Delay
aEverv adjournment In the case has
been had at the instance OF tho law
officers Of the state and city who are
charged with tho duty Of presenting
Mr.. Colcr's side OF the ease. and such
adiournments have been largely for
Inc purpose Of giving the city's law
officers sufficient time TO convince Mr
Colcr Of the error OF his ways.
"Both the District Attorney office
~ the County Of New Yo and the
CORPORATION Counsels Office Of the City
Of New York have advised Nh Coler
chat the ordinance in question was
never intended to be enforced against
the Volunteers Of America or any sim
liar charity. Mr. Colcr has fatty re-
fused 70 follow the advice OF the law
officers Of the City Of New YORK IN
this matter, and has even broken iaitn
with them in the promise which ne
made TO them that he would issue n
oermit TO the Volunteers OF America 70
collect funds for Christmas.
General Ballington Booth Is tie
brother OF Evangelne and Brhmwell
Booth. OF the Salvation Army. He left