The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1922-03-17
EX-COMMANDER OF AMERICAN LEGION
ACCUSED OF SHORTAGE OF FUNDS.

Sheriff Carl Smith. of Fort Worth. in a long
distance telephone conversation Thursday with the
sheriffs office at Austin. notified to arrest DR.
Guy O. Shirley of Fort Worth former State Com
mander of the American Legion of Texas, on
warrant in connection with an embezzlement charge
which dealt with an alleged shortage in American
Legion funds during the period Shirley headed the
State Department
Immediately upon the filing Of the complaint in
Justice Court in Austin, the warrant for Shirley's
arrest issued, Major Wayne B. Davie, the pres
ent State Commander being present at the time.
While specific amount is mentioned, it is said
that the complaint grew out of the alleged short
age of American Legion Trust Funds connected with
the tubercular hospital at Kerrville last year Ma
ior Davis yesterday paid approximately 500 into
the State Treasury to close debt the Legion owed
the State. made when the State took the Kerr
vile hospital He said that this together with
others totaling approximately $4,000 had never
been accounted for
DR.. Shirley, however saw fl to be Of town
and left sign on his door which reads: Am sick
out of the city. DR.. Terry will look after my
practice while ! away We wonder who will
continue to look after his practice.
The American Legion has been in bad but
after interview with the local officials. we feel
that behalf OF the American Legion. a little ex-
PLANTATION is due here to how this came about
The fault is not Of the Legion in the true sense
of the word and we feel that the Legion should not
be censored whole. and are betraying no
secret when make this explanation: The follow
ing statement by a member Of the American Legion
is given
In 1919, the people Of Texas. realizing the
need OF some way to take care OF the tubercuar
service men Of Texas organized what was known
The Benevolent War Risl Society They
proceeded by public subscription to raise money
For the erection of hospital to care for these men,
and in this way raised something like $500 600
then realizing that the Legion could more satsfac-
toriy handle this matter agreed to turn il over to
them
The Legion accepted this with the idea of So
Letting State aid in carrying the work but found
out later that the State not donate money for
this purpose. The Legion then entered into and
closed agreement with the State whereby the
State appropriated enough 10 finish the work and
would give preference OF entrance TO service men,
the Legion turning over all their holdings in the
kerrville hospital. except balance Of cash on hand
amounting to 81 900 DR.. Shirley Immediately
wrote and demanded the treasurer Of this fund TO
send to him. which under protest was finally
done and DR. Shirley proceeded to spend this a. he
says, FOR the best interests of the Legion.
Now. whether Dr. Shirley spent this rirhtfulb
or wrongfuly j. a question 10 be decided By the
courts Of the State. and l. probably not Of interest
20 the public. but they are interested possibly in
whether or not the money was returned % be used
for the purpose for which u was donated And We
are more than glad o. report that this has been Fc
turned Ia The State and will be used ioT that puT
pose
fhis man has already been expelled from the
Legion. And We are certainly glad 10 nd ourselves