Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-19

A Talk With Gen. John Palmer, the Com
mander-tn-C Chief

n N. H
A Talk with Gen. John Palmer, the COM
msnder-in-Chief.
THE POSSIBLE TOTAL OF VETERANS WHO WILL
PARTICIPATE CAN HARDLY DE KsrIMArED-THE
GREATEST rSTHUNAsx PREVAILS IN EVERY
srATE-MATTLRs FOB CONGRESSIONAL ACTION.
Gen. John Palmer, commander-in-chief Of
the Grand Army, is in the city. Warrington
will be his headquarters for several days
while am here" said the general to STAR
reporter last night, II expect to take up several
matters of much interest to the Grand Army
matters to which the attention of Congress
needs to be directed. On the nations statute
books Is law which gives the veteran Union
soldier preference in the public service. That
law appears to be = dead letter at this time. but
we propose resurrect and revive it. The law is
good and Just one; 1t should be enforced.
THE MOUNT M'aRKaoR PROPERTY.
"Then the Grand Army wants Congress to
purchase and care for the Mount McGregor
property. In the entire tract there are about
LOCO acres, and it has been suggested that the
government build on portion Of 1t home for
invalid veterans. 1t il claimed that the atmos-
phere il excellent for consumptlves. Old sol
diers so afflicted could be sent thither for rest
and treatment The desire for the purchase OF
the property is really very strong in our ranks.
where Grant died. Thousands of people visit
the cottage annually and something should be
done for its preservation. The building is be-
coming quite dilapidated and is in anything but
a creditable condition at this time. The pro-
prietors of the place are willing to sell at a
reasonable figure. the price to be adjudged by
an impartial commission. What might be re-
garded as a reasonable figure could not say !;
We have made no estimate.
AID FOR STARVING RUSSIANS
''Strong pressure has been brought to bear
by Grand Army comrades to have us charter a
vessel by which to send food to the star wing
Russians and gave the proposition some con-
sideration until today. 1havs discussed the mat
ter with some OF those who are in high places
in the government, and have come to the con-
clusion that relief is not needed at this time.
Contributions have, understand. been abund-
ant; too much SO, perhaps, for understan!
that large proportion of the food supplies
sent have fallen into the hands Of SPECTATORS
who have applied the bene6cences to their own
personal benefit
N CASE OF WAR WITH CHILE.
'Cbile? No, thank you! We old fellows
don't want any more fight We had our plate
full The boys are eager for an opportunity to
distinguish themselves. though, and if they
have half chance they'll do it as their daddies
did most thirty years ago. 1t really seems as
though We were compelled to have war periodi-
cally, so as to remove the superfuOus men.
That would be all right If the only ones re-
moved were those who might honestly and
properly be termed superfuous, but war
doesn't seem to work that way. 1t was always
SO that the best fellows, the men you thought
most OF. we're the ones to be killed or wounded.
The tough was the one who survived to tor
ment You. Incidentally 1 may say that the
tough" is . poor soldier. The street fighter
Of civil life is a thoroughly worthless man in
the field. He has no pride and he does not
fear ridicule-therefore he is most frequently
a coward in action. Bank and store clerks
make the best sort Of soldiers.
EScAMrMESr EsrrMATEs
''Encampment estimates are still growing"
said the general in response to a question.
How many people will be hero passes my cal
culative powers, but there will be many thou
sands more than the biggest guess have yet
heard. New York has been in the habit of
sending about 600 members to annual eucamp-
ments; this year the state will contribute more
than $4,000 vets. Pennsylvania and Ohio
may easily do as well-it seems to me they
willard those three subdivisions alone will
give US 10000 men. Then when we take into
consideration those great live western depart
ments the possible total staggers comprehen-
sion How many there will be in all no one
can tell until we have some official estimates;
these will be prepared shortly by each post
The parade more than anything else puzzles
me. Ii will be the greatest in history. A
great many thousands have refraiued from
participating in parades for years past, but
they will be ready to march in September.
Heretofore there has been no such incentive as
tramp up Pennsylvania avenue once more.
This one thing il awakening boundless en-
thusiasm and adds materially to the generally
strong desire to be present at the '92 encamp-
Hh.H l. L n