Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-16

COMMANDER PIPES REPORT OF THE CoNprrroS
OF THE ORDER IN THIS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF MEMBERSHIP sHowS-uSIoS VETERANS IN
THE DEPARTMENTAL sERvIcE-orHER. REPORTS
The opening session Of the twenty-fourth
annual encampment OF the Department OF the
Potomac, @. A. r., was held last evening in the
hall of the builders exchange. There were a
large attendance Of members and lively in
terest was manifested in the contest for the
commandership. The reading Of the annual
reports and routine business mainly occupied
the attention of the meeting last evening. 1t
is not expected that any important business
will be taken up until after the election Of Off
Gers, which will close at.9 O'Clock this evening.
REPORT OF COMMANDER PIPES.
The report of Commander ]. NJ. Pipes gave Q
very full and interesting account Of the years
work in the department. He stated that the
year has been in some respects eventful as well
as prosperous.
1T may DO proper" the report continued,
ITO suggest that In our efforts to secure en-
ployment for our comrades, widows and fami-
lies We met some embarrassments during the
year.
First the civil service commission has zeal
ously guarded its rights under the rules or law
Tor Its government, seeing that no appointment
Is made without the closest scrutiny and the
approval Of the commission. / approve a
proper civil service law. but it seems that the
commission has continued to exert its infiu-
ence and power, until, is well known, there
are comparatively few Of the desirable places
under the government that are not put in the
classified service, SO that the competition for
the minor places not SO embraced which our
comrades could SO well FILL is greater that ever
before. Members of both branches of Con-
gress are besieged by their constituents whose
appeals they dare not disregard. In the census
office, where very large force was employed
early in the administration, il became neces-
sary, as WAS claimed, from time to time to make
large reductions by dropping out and fur
Laughing. until great number were out Of
employment
WORK OF THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE.
"During the process Of these reductions.
your commander. with the chairman and
others Of the employment committee, urged
the retention of comrades, entitled under the
law to rreferment in case of reduction of
force. care glad to report that in a number
of cases our efforts had the desired effect. but
not in all, for many good and worthy employees
we're removed from the service, the reason as
signed being that in some divisions the work
was nearly completed and the appropriation
was becoming exhausted. We had also to
meet the objection in the departments that
many Of the applicants receiving our indorse-
merly were citizens Of some state, but remain
ing here for years finally lost their legal res
idence at their former homes and are now re-
garded as bona ide residents of the Distric. OF
Columbia. We, Of course, urged favorable
action, claiming that the statutes only made as
condition OF preference 'capability to per-
form the duties, with honorable discharge
from the army, navy or marine service in the
late war. and of fighting topreserve the Union
and protect the flag Of our country, with no
MT 10 afafa l,,,aa -
idence.
I'VE did the best we could in all the depart
ments, not only to urge for appointment but
to have retained, as far possible, those whom
the q. A. X. seeks to have in government en-
ployment There are a number Of our desery-
ing comrades still out of employment. but the
competition is SO strong from those in high
places. pressing the claims of their constituency
and demanding the preference to favorable
consideration that our success has not been SO
great as l would wish. We believe it is our
right and privilege to courteously, and as
earnestly as possible. urge the claims of COM
rades for preference as the laws provide. This
we think but jus. and reasonable. and il we do
fail, as We have and will at times. let us not
weary. but remember always that our cause is
just. that tho sympathy and approval of half
million comrades are with us, and that we are
bound to stand by our worthy comrades
though the whole world assail them"
THE NATIONAL ENcAMPMENr.
In regard to the national encampment and
the selection of this city as the place for hold
ing the meeting this year the report states:
"The department commander, having re-
ceived the unanimous expression of the council
OF administration, was authorized to request
the next encampment to be held at the capital
of the nation, from where SO many thousands
of our comrades started to the front, but have
not since visited and where they would be
within few hours ride of the historic battle
fields, where many had received wounds, and
each having history for some comrade. This,
together with the great exhibitions at our pub
lie buildings, was sufficient inducement to
offer.
MANY that were here on the occasion Of the
grand review and witnessed that magnificent
procession on Pennsylvania avenue, as corps,
divisions, brigades and regiments passed by
under the command of their favorite general,
with the thousands Of battle-torn flags, have
not since visited the city. Once again our
comrades hope to march a. in days gone by,
and once again see our beautiful city Of WASH
ington. The ladies Of the w. r. c., and the
citizens committee worked with q WILL and the
old Guard were everywhere on the same
line and we secured the encampment
perhaps it will be the lest. at least II is not
probable that it will come again while we are
strong organization. Credit is due every one
who thus contributed to our success
AHEARTY WELCOME PROMISED.
'sThe opportunity is now ours to show to the
lOO, 900 comrades, the ladies of the w. R. c.
and their friends and relatives who will come
along how fraterually we can receive them
Let our comradeship reach out and give the BOYS
such welcome as to make them feel that thew
are the guests not only of the city Of Washing
ton but Of our comrades and the ladies of the
W. r. c.. Department Of the Potomac, G. A. II.
There is work Tor each comrade, work for every
lady Of every corps and work for every post
As some Of the posts have already commenced
raising funds may this still go until every post
will feel interested. Smaller posts are not ex-
pected to do % much as the larger ones. but
they can do what they are able, which Is their
whole duty.
The commander believes that the citizens
committee and comrades are very much in
earnest, and are doing and will try to do all
that can be done to make the encampment
great success. But the G.. A. r. not in any
way conflicting with the citizens Committee.
should organize and mature systematic plans
OF work. That ID properly left for my success
sor, who will have several months in which 10
arrange such matters. May our united efforts
prove to the visitors that no more true conn
radeship NOR warmer reception has ever
greeted visitors on an occasion of q national
encampment It 10 not only an honor 70 us.
but to the city whose Capitol We saved.
The commander interviewed ConRress rels-
tive to the repeal Of the statute governing the
police force. However, the late decision Of the
court which was in effect that tho statute d
void. leaves nothing further 10 do, since that
decision gives an opportunity TO the sons Of
veterans to compete for place ON the force,
Rhioh hna baou denia6 thar