Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-02
PLAN TO GET WAR
TROPHIES HELD UP
Gen. Stephan Sees 0biec-
ton to Legion offer to Pay
Carriage to D. C.

The plan of Vincent b. Costello
Post. American Legion, to bring to
washington all of the captured Ger.
man war trophies allotted to the DIS
trict and distribute them to appil-
cai1ts here, has been blocked by MAI.
Gen. Anton Stephan, commanding
the District of Columbia Militia, who
Is charged with this duty by the war
Department.
Following publication in The sun
day Star of July % that lack of pub
lie interest, lack of funds and a
Proper storage place has prevented
the District from obtaining its snare
Of the German war prizes, William
q Franklin, adiutant of the post, an.
nounced that his organization was
ready to pay for the freight and see
to At that Washington got what was
coming to it.
Offer Expires Next Year.
Under War Department regula-
lions, persons and organizations deslr-
Ing the historic war material must
make application to Gen. stephan,
accompanied by guarantee OF the
shipping expenses, and he VIII ar
range for the transportation. Up
until last Sunday only one organiza.-
ton had taken advantage of the op-
portunity to get possession OF the
relics-George Washington Post, No.
1, of the Legion. which has small
field piece on the front lawn of its
Headquarters. At the time is was eX-
planned Gen. Stephan had made sew.
eral efforts to enlist the interest of
Washington patriotic and other or
carnations for the acquisition OF the
weapons due the District. but with
out success The offer expires in
July, 1927. and the general had
planned another drive to bring about
their disposition.
AS a result of the publicity given
the matter, at least half dozen APP
plications have been made to Gen.
Stephan and also to the post. The
general said today the trophies could
not be brought here without his au-
thority and that would not be given
until he was shown conclusively that
Costello Post had proper storage IA
cilities and could pay the expenses.
As against the statement of the post
that the entire allotment could be
brought here in one car load for $50,
Gen. Stephan said it would cost about
$4,000. The freight bill on the George
Washington Post gun alone cost about
$40. he said. Furthermore. the Dis
trict Guard plans to acquire some of
the trophies as soon as storage and
exhibition space can be arranged for
It was explained.
Sees No Need to Hurry.
Gen. Stephan declared today that
there was. no need for hurrying the
matter and after the National Guard
Encampment closes he will order the
transportation of the material de-
sired by formal application and freight
guarantee.
After. Mr.. Franklin and members
of the post had drawn up a plan of
action, Gen. Stephan was notified in
the following letter:
1T has come to the attention of
the Vincent B. Costello Post. the
American Legion, that the allotment
of captured material of the World
War assigned to the District of CO.
lumbia is waiting at Raritan, N. j.,
for the want of a claimant
II am happy to advise you that the
Vincent 3. Costello Post. through its
members and friends, will put the
necessary funds to bring this material
of war to our city.
Arranges for Shipment.
KY. L nave iiduS arrangements with
the Pennsylvania Railroad to back up
its cars and bring it to Washington.
II will leave for New Jersey to see
to it that the District gets everything
that's coming to it as soon as ar
rangements are completed.
81 would suggest that when it
arrives here that you, with the Dis
trict Commissioners. with Comdr.
Walsh (of Costello POST, would act
as a committee for its proper distribu-
ton.
Temporarily the consignment on
arrival would be stored at one of our
District property yards, with the view
of a complete survey to be made as
to its proper distribution by the COM
nittee mentioned
Gen. Stephan's reply to Mr.. Frank
lin, dated July 80, follows:
Asks Post to Apply.
IT acknowledge receipt of your let
ter of July rs, reference war trophies
allotted to the District of Columbia.