Evening star., 1896-03-25
A. p. A. ADVISORY BOARD
In Session. but Great Secrecy Surrounds
All Its Deliberations
Prominent Members Of the Order Who
Are Here to Map Out q Politi.
cal Campaign.

The advisory board Of the American Pro-
tective Association was in session today at
the National Hotel, surrounded by the
utmost secrecy. There was nothing but
preliminary work at the sessions yesterday
afternoon and last night. A Star reporter
who was present this morning was inform
ell that nothing would be given to the
press until the board concluded its ses-
sions,, which will probably be tomorrow.
DIR. j. B. Dunn Of Boston. secretary of
the board. was asked to furnish list of
the members of the board, but said he
could not do SO. I'VE are modest people,
said DR.. Dunn, land the list cannot be
given you" Another member volunteered
the Information that the names could not
be published without the consent of the
individual members themselves.
1t was learned that the chairman of the
board is Judge Stevens OF Missouri, and the
secretary is DR.. Dunn. The latter has also
been appointed chairman Of n press COM
mittee. but no end of pressing could in
duce MIN to say anything about the mem.
hers of the board or its plans or pur.
poses.
The Star reporter who talked with a
prominent member of the order was told
that a good deal of opposition is manifested
toward too much secretiveness in the pro-
ceedings of the order, boards, committees
etc.
Il am in favor" he said, "of giving the
public everything that We do of a public
nature. There is no use i'm keeping any,
thing back. We are strong enough now 10
hold our own in any way, and am in favor
or letting the people know what we are do
ing.'
Prominent Members.
Among the prominent members Of the ad-
visory board in the city are the officers
named: H. A. Thompson, Missouri; J. B.
Colt, New York; Gen. L. A. Sheldon, Cali
fornia; Col. Crosby, Baltimore, and j. w.
Ford, New York.
In addition to these many prominent men,
bers Of the Supreme Council and of state
councils are here, besides numerous others
who have selected this occasion to visit
Washington. {. I. Beatty Of Chicago, su-
prcme secretary of the Supreme Council,
Is one of the prominent members here c.
+. Johnson, state president of Illinois, is
also in the city. w. ]. II. Traynor of Michi-
gan, the supreme president, will not be here
Neither of the gentlemen mentioned is a
member of the advisory board, which con-
sists OF thirteen members only, but they are
mere to appear before the board and present
their views on political matters.
1t 4. Strictly Political.
AS previously intimated in The Star, the
business Of the advisory board is strictly
political. 1t has nothing to do with any
other work Of the order. The meeting is
for the sole purpose of formulating demands
on Congress. and on the political parties,
and to map out the plan Of campaign to be
pursued by the order.
If the order takes the active part I'm pol-
tics this year that has been intima ted it
can be seen how much interest will be ia ken
by the membership in general in what is
being done now.
At O'Clock this afternoon the board was
still in session, and DIR. Dunn volunteered
the statement that there was no informa-
tion for the press. DIR. Dunn will prepare a
statement for the press SO soon as the meet
ing adjourns.
Notes Of the Meeting.
Chairman Stevens is rather distinguished
looking. He has held many important DO
litical Offices In his state
Gen. Sheldon of California says that
there are nearly 1000 members of the A.
P. A. in that state, and that they elected
Gov. Budd, democrat, at the last election
Every A. p. A. who is visiting or visits
Washington calls upon Representative
Linton, who is the idol of the order There
are callers at all hours Of the day at the
room Of the committee Oh acoustics, of
which Mr.. Linton is chairman, and where
he spends his time when not in the hall of
the House.