The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-24
NEXT YEARS ENCAMPMENT
Nr. D. P. Erwin, Chairman of the Com
mittee, Returns from Washington.
He Says Indianapolis Can Accommodate the
Crowds and Outlines What Must Be Done
The Number Expected.

Mr.. ID. p. Erwin. chairman of the COM
next Grand Army encampment in this
city. arrived home yesterday from WASH
ington. He did not seem at all dismayed
at the magnitude of the work Of entertain
ment, when q Journal reporter met him at
the Denison House last night.
I'VE must begin the work of organiZa-
tion at once" said he, with energy. 1T
will be a big undertaking. but one entirely
within our capabilities. We must divide
ND the work, so that every one will have
some share in 1t, and ell will take pride in
doing credit to the city M State. This.
it must be remembered, is not only an
affair of Indianapolis. but of Indiana. The
encampment will be the guest of the
State at the capital city. Our committee
at Washington was greatly aided in win
nlng the fight SO easily by the fact that the
State had appropriated money to build q
soldiers and sailors monument. thus show
ing q high order of patriotism. The m0nu-
that Indiana and Indianapolis were SIN
cere in bidding the next encampment well
come"
You will urge, then. the completion of
the monument by the time OF the next en-
campmentf' was asked.
by all means the monument should be
completed. The Circle QUAINT TO be parked
and a~sphalted, and also the approaches.
Meridian stree { should be paved from
Washington to New York street. Our
Board of Public Works should not lose a
day in pushing these impro Vements. The
great event OF the encamDment is the pa
rade. This is limited to two miles in
length, and our streets ought all to be in
good order. especially those in the heart of
the city. There Is one thing that our police
force must learn to do, and that is to keep
people of the street during times of parade.
This is q matter of discipline that the pe0-
pie of ashingtOn have learned but our
people have not. The success of the pa
spectators must be restricted to the side
walks. The procession Will DO six or eight
hours passing one point. perhaps, and
stands for observation will be erected on
the sidewalks and seats sold. In this way
one necessary expense will be met"
How largo q crowd may reasonably be
expectedp was asked.
I'm view of the fact that the worlds fair
will be in progress, 1t Is not unreasonable
to expect that 100, 900 strangers will be in
the city. Every body will be anticipating
q trip to Chicago, and the encampment
rates Will cause the encampment TO be at
tended in greater Numbers than ever be-
fore, ON account of the proximity OF this
city to Chicago"
But where will SO many be
datedf"
lit will be necessary to build barracks
for lod glng and feeding the veterans. They
want to be together as Of old, and prefer
such accommodations to separation In
hotels. boarding-hOuses. etc. Meals. of
course, will be charged for at q nOminal
rate. but the lodgings will be free. At
Washington tables were provided, each
holding plates for 5000. 1t Is not practi-
cable to entertain so many In any other
way. The encampment will be held dur
ing the last week of August, so that the
city can have the use of all its
school-houses and public buildings in
accommodating the multitude. Tomlinson
Hall will be large enough to accommodate
the delegates to the encampment. SO there
will be no need to worry on that score.
One problem. however. will be tie accom-
mediation of the general multitude. The
present hotel facilities of Indianapolis arc
no larger than the city needs every day.
We could not spare one room. The situa-
ton invites the building of extensions to
our h0stelries and erection of new ones,
and / think this will be the result. In
diapapolis has more than caught NJ with
her hotel facilities"
What Will be the first steps takeni"
"a meeting of citizens will no doubt be
called within a week. and plans there in
augurated. Indianapolis must acquIt her,
self credItably. 1t will require at least
this the city will, of course, contribute O
large share, and the Legislature will be
asked to make an appropriation. 1t has
been the custom. wherever the encamp-
ment goes, for the State to assist in making
the entertainment q success.