Evening star., 1898-09-01

mittees representing both the citizens OF
Washington and The Evening Star saw
Colonel Harries yesterday afternoon and
strong argument was made in favor OF haV-
ing the regiment go home in about week.
The committees were almost unanimous
in agreeing that the boys would recover
more rapidly If they could go home at
once, DR.. johnson, however, saying that
from a health point of view he thought
they should stay where they were for a
couple of weeks and that the only argu-
ment in favor of going home was to relieve
homesickness. Colonel Harries replied that
as soon the 1st Battalion is out of the
detention camp he would call meeting OF
his officers, discuss the matter and decide
upon date for returning to Washington.
This decision will probably be made FRI
day. Last evening the committees, con-
sistfng of James E. Bell, DIR. johnson, j.
Harrison Johnson, Edwin Neumeyer and
Charles E. Swigart, held a meeting in
Amagansett. where they are stopping, and
discussed this question during couple of
hours. They had intended to leave for
Washington last evening, but determined
to wait another day on this account Dis
cussing the Homecoming of the soldier
boys, it was generally believed that they
week, and that in their weak condition
they should not be expected to parade in
Washington, but should be given carriages
and driven over what would have been the
line of march.
Feeling Against Banquet.
The, feeling was general that no banquet
should be given sick and convaleseent men,
They thought it would be a better plan to
give fhnm IN
after their arrival home and Convention
Hall was regarded as a good place in
which to hold it. BY that time, they ar
gEed, the boys would be well enough to
enjoy seeing their friends. 1t is we'll known
that Colonel Harries favors their staying
here two OF three weeks.
The committee also thought that the SOL
diers should not be taken home on the
Long Island railroad If arrangements could
be made to transport them direct from the
wharf here on one of the sound steamers to
Jersey City, where they would be taken on
a train for home. The trip on the Long
Island railroad and the ferries to be crossed
IN going from Long Island to Jersey City,
they thought, would produce too much IA
tgue. 1t was thought that as soon as a
GATE Tor moving the regiment is fixed the
secretary of War should be asked to al
ie" transportation over the route indi-
cated. 1t was also proposed that arrange
ments be made for caring for all soldiers
who had no homes in Washington in the
armory, where they could remain until
they have recovered their strength.
DIR. JOhnsOn's View.
speaking of the regiment today, DR..
JchEson said, From a medical point of
view, think 1t is better for the regiment
to stay here in Camp Wikoff for at least
two weeks. The entire surroundings are
better that they would be in Washington
l have examined the surroundings of the
camp in which they will be located and
given especial attention to the water SUD-
ply here. 1 think the place is extremely
healthy. The location is superior to that
of Atlantic City, Cape May and Virginia
Beach. thoroughly oppose the view taken
by DR.. Sem of the general hospital here
that there is danger of an epidemic of
typhoid fever around The troops in this
camp. The Improvement I have observed
in the condition of these boys is absolutely
phenomenal. The only possible reason for
taking them to Washington would be to
ease their minds and relieve them from
their homesickness''
Auditor j. T. Petty, spent the entire day
yesterday IN the general hospital hunting
up the District soldiers and talking to
them. The soldiers We're glad to see some
one from their home. you can have no
idea said Mr.. Petty to your correspond
ent, How greatly the boys were cheered
up and pleased when told them about the
preparations being made for their reception
in Washington. They We're especially
pieased to know that they were to be the
o1yita 1tt ~
What is being done in Washington to re-
ceive them was news 10 the sick boys"
Mr.. Bell will take his son, Lieut. Horace M
Bell to Westfield, n. j., and MIR j. Pettys
son, J. M. Petty of the regiment will go
to Benson-Hurst, L. l., where they will
remain until the regiment goes home.
Pay Rolls Made Out.
Pay rolls are being made out and it is
expected the 1st District of Columbia Regi-
ment will be paid off in the near future.
They have not received any money from
the government for three months.
Mr.. Edwin Neumeyer returned from New
York last evening having engaged a num-
Der of professional cooks to work in the
1st District of Columbia Regiment. This
expense VIII be met by The Evening Star
relief fund. He also ordered q good sup
ply of bouliion and choice broths for the
convalescents. The boys have been sup
piled with combs, brushes, wash basins
toilet soap, and many other useful articles.
L, T.