Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-16
THE q. A. r. ENcAMPMENr.
HEARING IN lroAnp TO TEE 100000 AP
PIoPrrArIox AsKHD rem.

4 HkARfSo IN RrdAnD TO TIE 100000 AP-
PIoPIrArIoS AsKKD FsR.
Ths'question Of the $los, coo item in the Dis
triet appropriation bill fer the Grand Army en-
campmcnt came up before the subcommittee
OF the House appropriation committee yester-
day afternoon, and the subcommittee on the
District WAS called together informally 10 meet
the members Of the executive committee on
the oncampment. There were presen; from
the city members OF the committees. Commits
sionsr Douglass. Messrs. Parkes. Hage. Edison.
Hattou. McGowan, Wine, Saks. Warner. Wood,
Worthingson and Driver. There were present
Nessrs. Doclery, Cogswell. Compton aud Hen
dsrson OF the appropriation committee. The
proceedings we're opened by the reading Of the
invitation which the committee had extended
to the encampment
Ne. EDsoS's STATEMENT
Mr.. Edison then went on the stand, as
1t were, although he occupied a very coua-
Portable chair. In answer 10 questions OF Mr..
Dockery. Mr.. Edison outlined the efforts which
had resulted in obtaining the encampment
mere lhe guarantee fund had been close TO
Soo'VVo. The subscription made over again
would reach that amount; at least slOo 900
could be raised. Mr.. Edison stated forcibly
that 1t would cost sl50, 900 10 entertain the en-
campment lis the subscription u bona ile
SAcs sA4u bOckerA- les. except these SUBJ
cribers who are dead" said Mr.. Edson. Al ac-
count was given OF the appropriations made pv
other cities and states III entertaining the en-
campmcnt The number OF visitors and vet
Grams Lere would be SIX times Is many as have
been present in 9th or cities and a $50 600 cuar-
antee fund had been offered as the suggestion
OF Grand army people.
IN OTHER cIrIEa
Mr.. Docksry asked If the United States had
been asked to furnish funds for the encamp-
ment In any other city, and Mr.. Edison said no.
and ar. Henderson remarked that in no other
city did the government have % much prop
erty interest.
Mr.. Pa.kss o. this point, in answer to a
question, said tina. practically one rate for the
round trip had been agreed upon by the rail-
roads.
You gentlemen must RENE mber" said Mr.
Henderson Of Illinois, that thousands Of pso-
pie will be here who would not go TO any other
citr for al encampment" Mr.. Henderson
further remarked during u lull IN the argument
tina; he had been delegate ut the Detroit en-
csmpment. and that Washington had not prom
iscd more than the other cities.
Mr.. Doclsry produced big hlss OF the Post
and Star aud read extracts promisng ample
entertainment for the u. A 4 Mr. Hendsr-
son suggested that the extracts did not say
where the funds were to come from.
WHAT IT WILL cosr.
Mr.. Hsge said that in getting subscriptions
on the avenue only one man had refused to
subscribe. Mr.. Henderson asked how much
iaoney the 60 nmittee estimated the eucamp-
msnt would cost. Mr.. Edsoa replied taat free
quarters would have to be supplied FOR 100000
soldiers at sl.Z5 man. There would be iOJ.-
900 visitors here. Mr.. Dockery said that there
was no question hut that the soldiers should be
Hospitality treated; the only question who
shou d pay the cost There were three bases.
whether the citizens should pay ii by sub
scriptions. whether the city aud government
should combine on the 100000 and whether
the app o ,Jrla.ioa should be taken from the
funds OF the District solely.
Mr.. Worthington spoke for the committee
on legislation. He objected to the presence Of
the word subsistence" in The Senate amend
ment No encampment had been furnished
subsistence, and with the funds or even with
a larger appro priation than the one suggeste
Washington shoulj not be expected to furnish
food. The $4,000 fund it was thought at first
would be amply sufficient for all purposes and
that amount had been raised. Fifty thousand
dollars was all that had been spent at Miwau-
kee. Later, however, 1t had been found that
it was not going to be an ordinary encampment,
but would draw five or six times many SOL
dlers and visitors rs IN former casea
WHAT WAS PROMISED.
Commissioner Douglass gave a clear outline
of the general course OF procedure in the plan
Of getting tho encampment and OF how the
committee had been obliged to alter their
views NJ to the money which would be needed.
The government was not asked to contribute
two-;hirds or one-hsf OF the cost of the en-
campment. Tho citizens raised $4,000 by
subscription and only asked the government to
pay one-half OF the other 100000 The
city paid two-thirds and asked the government
for only one-third.
Mr.. Dockery suggested that the logical effect
Of an appropriation would be to tax the visitors
for their entertainment The question of how
funds for former encampments had been
handled was touched on aud it was stated that
at Detroit and Boston the state and city appro-
pratt )us had been handed over to the citizens
committee on their receipt. Mr.. Dockery sug-
sested Informally that the committee draw up
a proposition which would entail the appro-
priation coming entirely from the District
revenues. The matter will probably be further
discussed.