The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-13
THE RATE TO MILWAUKEE.


In spite Of the appeals Of the Command
er-in-Chief, and of the comrades, the rail
roads leading into Milwaukee continue OBJ
durate in regard to granting one-cent rate
to those attending the National Encamp-
ment This is a direct violation of the as
surances given at the last National Encamp
ment to induce the holding of the coming
one at Milwaukee. It is very bad faith, and
still worse business policy, since it viii not
fail to greatly reduce the attendance at the
Encampment, and the consequent profits of
the railroads.
The comrades will be disguised at the
greed Of the railroads in breaking their re-
peated promises, and Withholding action
until this late day, when they feel that the
place of holding the National Encampment
cannot be changed. Had theysbeen straight
forward, honorable men, they would have
made their decision known some months ago,
when the matter was under discussion, and it
was proposed to change the Encampment to
Chicago. The change could have been made
then without serious loss or disappointment
TO the comrades and people of Milwaukee.
The railroad managers then promised that
if the Encampment were allowed to remain
at Milwaukee everything would be made
right. Now, when immense preparations
have been made for the great event, they
and the hotels return to their old illiberal
position, and evince determination to make
every possible cent out of the comrades and
their friends and families.
The matter is made worse by the knowl-
edge that other organizations of not one
1.-THE the numerical Importance of the
GAR. have been given one-cent rate to
Milwaukee, and proportionately liberal
terms by the hotels. The difference is that
the Turner'S and others are not bound to go
to any particular place unless they are
treated fairly, while it is believed that the
GAR must so to Milwaukee, no matter
what its members are charged.
We're it not for consideration for the Wis
consin comrades, and the patriotic people of
Milwaukee, the matter would be disposed of
in short order by taking the Encampment to
Chicago.
But there are no better comrades in the
Order than those of Wisconsin, and no more
patriotic people than those of Milwaukee.
They were anxious that the National En-
eampment should be held in Milwaukee, and
they have contributed literally and worked
hard to make the affair splendid success.
So far as they are concerned it will be. I'm
fortunately they have been unable to control
their railroads and hotels, and there is the
only drawback The comrades of the rest
of the country want to 60 to Milwaukee
and meet the people of Wisconsin; they do
not want to disappoint those who have
labored so hard to give them fitting enter
tainment. On the other hand, they do not
want to be plucked by the greedy railroads
and hotels. They are now divided between
these conflicting emotions. If the railroads
and hotels do not recede from their position,
and the Commander-in-Chief and Executive
Committee decide that the National En-
campment shall be held in Milwaukee, the
comrades will express themselves by staying
away by tens of thousands. There will not
be one-half the attendance there would have
been If the railroads and hotels had acted
in good faith.