Evening star., 1923-07-27
Veterans Fund Would Be
Shared by Promoters of
Campaign, Reports Say.
DEPARTMENT HEADS SAY
PERMISSION NOT GIVEN
Rules of National Veterans Body
Require Approval of All
Money Raising.

Persistent reports that a profess
sional promoter is to receive as com
pensation large share of the $780,
600 the Vincent B. Costello Post OF
the American Legion is attempting
to raise by public subscription with
which to build a large club house,
have caused both the national and
District Of Columbia departments OF
that organization to initiate an inves-
.tigation which may result in the post
being ordered to discontinue it's cam
paign.
1t was learned today that the atten-
tion Of the local department Of the
Legion was called to the campaign at
the last meeting of the executive
committee.
At that time a resolution was
passed ordering an investigation to
determine whether or not the Vim
cent B. Costello Post had ever ap-
piled for and received permission to
conduct Campaign in the name of
the American Legion, a precedent all
posts are obliged to follow.
Permission Refused.
When minutes of previous sessions
of the executive committee were
read it was learned that the adju-
tant of the Costello Post had asked
for that permission in March. 1922,
but 1t has never been granted, Wat
son B. Miller, who was then COM
mander of the District department.
requesting more information.
He did, however. grant permission
for the post to conduct a lawn fete
at Camp Meigs and 1t is believed the
members of the post misinterpreted
that communication to include the
campaign.
Rules Of both the District of Col
umbia and the national organizations
of the American Legion forbid mem
ber posts from conducting campaigns
in the name of the legion If a pro-
fessional promoter is to share any
paignerS are to use any of the pro-
ceedS except enough to pay pare
expenses. Investigation has revealed
! that Winfield Jones, with offices in
the Southern building. was retained
by the Vincent B. Costello Post to
Superintend their drive.
Information as to the amount Mr.
Jones Will receive as compensation
differs Mr.. Jones very frankly told
reporter for The Star that 1t was
none of his business. nor the public's
business. DR.. Walter F. Sullivan,
commander of the Vincent B. Costello
Post, said he did not know how much
the promoter would be paid, but said
he was working on a salary basis.
Other reports had it that Mr.. Jones
has been promised a large per cent
age-as much as so per cent-of the
money collected.
Meeting to BE Held.
District department will hold another
meeting. and IT is understood the
campaign is certain to be the subject
Of warm discussion. They said the
campaign was violation of organ
ization rules.
There is no attempt in legion cir
cles, however, to impugn the motives
of the members OF Costello Post.
Rather. most members believed they
had innocently violated the rules and
would discontinue the drive the
minute the executive committee issues
the necessary instructions. In the
meantime, however, the campaign is
proceeding apace and Mr.. Jones is
preparing to start the drive in earnest
once the summer vacations are over.
Many Indorse Drive.
Many of the most prominent people
in Washington have indorsed the
movement. Among them are NJ.
Jusserand, the ambassador from
France, and Baron de Cartier de
Marchienne, the ambassador from Bel
GUM.
1t is understood words of praise
by President Harding have also been
printed and weekly bulletins from
the post campaign headquarters add
new names to the list of indorserS.
The plans of the Costello Post were
to erect the clubhouse out on the
Conduit road. Asked what il would
be used for, DR.. Sullivan said today
the building would be for the use of
members of the post Other District
posts. he added. would be permitted
to hold their meetings in the club.
A nominal charge, enough to cover
the expense for light, heat and other
necessaries, would be made, he con-
ol