Evening star., 1898-06-21
NEEDS OF THE SOLDIERS
District Aid Association Discusses Plans of
Relief
by President Couden and
Representatives BromweIl and
Pearson-Business Transacted.

A largely attended meeting of the Dis
trict of Columbia Volunteers Aid Associa-
ton was held last night in the drill hall
Of National Guard Armory, when the plans
of the organization for the benefit of the
volunteer soldiers, sailors and marines en-
listed from the District were thoroughly
discussed, and the philanthropy Of the
movement and the necessity for it were the
topics Of a number of interesting addresses.
Chaplain John n. Couden of the House of
Representatives, president of the associa-
ton, presided, and DIR. ]. Lee Adams Of
Takoma acted as secretary. Speeches were
made by Representatives Bromwen of
Ohio and Pearson Of North Carolina, the
latter being the uncle of Lieutenant Hob
son. hero of the Merrimac incident.
Rev. DR.. Domer opened the meeting with
an invocation, after which Chaplain Cou-
den made an appeal for increased interest
in the work the association has undertaken,
declaring that, as Sherman said, War is
he'll and such being the case, the climate
should be made bearable for the District
boys by comforts sent from home in the
way of the little necessaries of life. Much
good could be accomplished by the asso-
citation, he said, and would be- Every
thlng possible should be done by relatives
and friends at home TO provide for their
Country's defenders in the field.
MIR. BrOmweIrs Suggestions.
Representative Bromwell expressed his
thorough sympathy with the movement SO
auspiciously inaugurated here in the Dis
trict. He said that while this government
provided better than any other government
for soldiers and their families left at home.
still there were many little things that
made camp life more bearable which could
N ha
spoke of the assistance rendered the SOL
diers in the last war by organizations such
as the District Aid Association is and he
hoped that most abundant success would
crown their efforts and that the soldier BOYS
IN blue at the front would prove worthy re-
oiplentS, as he was sure they would of the
favors sent by loving friends at home The
speaker aroused great enthusiasm by his
mention OF the names of Dewey, Hobson
Bagiey and other heroes of the present
conflict.
DR.. Hall of the Short Story Club read a
poem On the sinking of the MerrImac.
Congratulated by Mr. Pearson.
Representative Pearson was next intro
duced. and made a short address, opening
by congratulating the leaders in the move
ment and declaring himself a hearty sup
porter of all the association had under
taken. Little luxuries were most welcome
to the soldiers in the field. and could ONLY
he supplied from home. The government
had provided the volunteers with but one
luxury so far, and that was the privilege of
voting In the fall elections. This remark
brought forth much laughter. Mr. Pearson
eclared that he was thankful the war had
go FAR wiped out all existing sectional lines
in cur native land.
Rev. DR.. Domer spoke briefly, telling of
letter received from his son, Captain Do
mer of the Fencibles. now at Tampa in
Whlch 1t was stated that the District boys
were in excellent health and spirits The
association would have. he said a desirable
moral effect on the soldiers and would
make others more ready to volunteer when
ever the necessity arises.
The executive committee of the associa-
tlon held business meeting after the close
OF the public session, at which a communi-
Gaugn was received from the surgeon of the
1st District Regiment giving a list of arti
cies needed for the hospital. The commit
lee Will undertake to supply these medi-
ciles ana surgical goods at early a date
possible. ~