Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-26

TkREsr IN CONNECTION WITH TEE ENcANP-
MExr.
The citizens executive committee on the
Grand Army encampment does not weary Of
wen doing. but it confesses to the possession of
that tired feeling" when anybody mentions the
Woman's Relief Corps Thousands OF perplex-
ing details have been Satisfactorily and econom-
ically worked out and the affairs which call
Tor the careful expenditure Of large sums Of
money have been handled successfully. But
from the very beginning down 10 the present
time black and unsightly thread through the
otherwise spotless fabric-has been this diff.
Guilty ~ to the entertainment Of the National
Women's Relief Corps. Some time ago the
executive committee came to the conclu-
sion that time and vital force were both
wasted on any worriment over this trouble.
Ihe matter was placed in the hands Of the sub
committee, of which Miss Clara Barton il chair
man, and there it will be left until the encamp-
ment is SIMPLY q starred and striped memory.
During the past two or three days
Chairman Edison has been bombarded
with letters written principally by
those who imagine that in some way or
otner the citizens committee is acting unfairly
toward the relief corps. These communics-
tons no longer receive the consideration which
chairman Edison, as Q business man, would give
my Iuuoilal letters sent MIN; tney strike the
waste basket rs soon as they have been read
NOTHING UNJUST IN THIS.
There is nothing unjust in the summary
treatment accorded to this section Of the chair
mans mail, for every phase of the difficulty is
thoroughly known to him, and he made up his
mind some time ago that there was but one
course to pursue. This afternoon another and
extremely persistent effort was made to have
MIN reconsider his conclusions, but without
success He was informed that unless the
executive committee renewed the tender of hospi-
tahty already made on two occasions by Miss
Clara Barton there would be a great big dis
turbance around here when the relief corps con-
ventlon assembled. The statement was made that
Mrs. Sue Pike Saunders, president Of the national
organization controlled the solid vote Of the
convention and that she would, unless her
desire was gratiied, cause the convention to
censure the people Of Washington and
the citizens committee on the ground
OF inhospitable conduct. Those who are
interested In this relief corps imbrogio
know Just what the difficulty is, but
1t may not be plain to everybody that the prop
osition to which the executive committee will
not accede calls for the turning over to the local
relief corps of that portion Of the fund which
has been set aside for the women's enter
tainment. The committee proposes to disburse
the money itself, and having every confidence in
Miss Barton and her committee associates will
insist upon their retaining control of the ap-
preparation. The first tender of hospitality
was rejected; the second is unanswered Now,
II is claimed that il Chairman Edison will renew
the twice-old invitation it will be accepted, but
that no communication from Miss Barton or her
subcommittee will receive any attention.
chairman Edison says he will not do any invit-
ing and in this he seems to have the hearty sup
port OF nearly every member of the executive
committee. the only exceptions being one or
two who have placed themselves on record as
partisans.
WHAT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SAY.
at makes but little difference what
threats are fired at the executive committee"
say two or three of its more prominent menu
bers. III Mrs. Saunders and the convention.
which it is claimed she controls, desire
to do any such unjust and dishonorable thing
as to abuse Washingtonisns after all the efforts
that have been made to secure the comfort of
visitors, there will be no objection on the part
OF the executive committee"
Said one committeeman this afternoon.
Never was any more ludicrous suggestion ad-
vanced by any one than the one which comes
from the National Relief Corps and its friends
In this city. They are willing to accept the hos
pitality OF our home il we will only discharge
our head cook and some Of the servants whom
they claim are objectionable to them; further
more, they want us to supply the money to run
the house. Now. have never asked any one to
entertain me on that plan and no ole until this
time ever made such a proposition to any man
or body OF men. II is absurd and should not
receive one moments consideration. We are
perfectly willing-in fact, shall be delighted
to do all we can for the comfort and pleasure of
the men and women who will be our guests
IN september, and. it seems to me, that no
sensible person would think of suggesting that
we give the money to the guests and have them
entertain themselves"
MANY MINOR MATTERS.
Yesterday afternoon the contract for illum-
mating the barracks in the monument grounds
and for sufficiently lighting the grounds them
selves with electricity was awarded the WASH
ington Construction Company. There was some
difficulty Is to the bid, and in order TO avoid
even the semblance Of unfairness the award
was upset, new bids were called for and salts.
factory contract ID to be entered into this after
noon.
School children will play an important part
In entertaining the soldiers who will be here at
the encampment. Two big choruses will be
Organized-one Of them conducted by Mr.. T.
d. Tracy, the other one by some person to be
nominated by Superintendent Cook of the col
ored schools The chorus Of white children is
to be located on stand just south Of the
treasury Department. They will be arranged
IN such manner and such costumes as to pre-
sent at some distance very close resemblance
to the national colors. The colored chorus will
occupy stand to be erected on PENNSYLVANIA
avenue near 9Th street.
Just now the question is being asked is Il
possible to mass the 500 brass bands which will
be here during the encampment The idea that
such q combination was possible has been
fsvorably received by the executive COM
mtttee and Mr.. w. H. Daniels has the
matter in charge. He has sent out circulars to
the band masters who will be here and as soon
as he receives replies will know whether suffi-
Gent force will volunteer for q grand open-air
concert Prof. Sousa has consented to lead the
aggregation in case Mr.. Daniels succeeds in
bringing matters into q satisfactory condition
Gen. Ellis Spear, chairman Of the committee
on parade, completed a large proportion Of his
preparatory work last night, when there were
mailed to every department and every post in
the Unites States pamphlets and maps instruct
ing each department and post commander az
to where their respective commands would
assemble and fall into the parade With
these instructions were sent the orders Of the
commander-in-chief on the same subject.
Everything necessary is being planned to bring
about perfect order on the day Of the grand
parade. The fact that the commander-i chief
has taken the matter largely in his own hands
will not Lessen the ardor or activity of the COM
mittee.
THE UNION vETERANs' UNION.
Arrangements for the entertainment Of the
Union Veterans Union, which meets in con-
vention here during the encampment week, are
v,roOrosoiuD vorv eox;r%. cxc~;ly no..x>-. r..