Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-05
TRIBUTE TO HEROES
Cheering Thousands Witness G. A. K
Parade in Philadelphia.
DEPT. OF POTOMAC'S GOOD SHOWING
Many Of the Old Veterans Appear
Very Feeble.
GREETINGS TO PRESIDENT



Philadelphia exerted every energy to give
the Grand Army a rousing welcome today
when the great parade of thousands OF vet
Grams passed through the streets or the
Quaker CITY. For miles the streets were
congo sted to such an extent that all trafnc
stopped.
The visitors from Washington learned to
appreciate the broad streets and Sidewalks
of their own Pennsylvania avenue, un-
equaled for such event as took place
here today But all that could be done to
make the occasion a magnificent success
was DONE Not only on the line of march.
but in remote parts of the city flags and
bunting ornamented the homes of the peo-
pie. While Independent organizations were
marching to take their places in the pa
rade they We're greeted with SUGGESTIONS of
cheers and when the magnificent scene of
these time-worn veterans In one grand
body on the line of march began the hur-
rahs of the tens of thousands who watch
ed them from stands, sidewalks and Win
dows made splendid and inspiring music
for those whose presence called them forth.
Clear skies and a medium temperature
made the day perfect one for the occa-
sion. One of the most important bodies in
the parade was the Department of the Po-
tomac. 700 strong, and that number would
have been still larger had not the crippled
condition and feebleness of many Of the
veterans prevented them from undergoing
the fatigue encountered by those who took
part in the parade. The ordeal through
which the veterans passed enough to
try the powers of endurance of young men.
Marched Four or Five Miles.
The Department of the Potomac formed
on Girard avenue and after standing two
hours in the sun, marched over a route
from four TO five miles in length. Cen
Farnswcrth headed his department, which
followed the New Jersey veterans. He was
mounted, as We're Senior Department Com
mander Slabaugh, Junior Department Com
mander Grunwell, Adjutant General Chase,
Department Quartermaster Devices and his
aids, Coils. Stevenson. McGirr and Bolinger.
Behind them the Henderson Drum
Corps forty strong) leading the Old Guard
The balance of the department was made
up Of the Grand Army posts, taking posi-
tions according to their post numbers.
The Department of the Potomac headed
division G., organizations in that division
being veterans from Virginia. West Nir
gina, Maryland and Nebraska. The SOL
dierly bearing of veterans from the Dis
trict of Columbia. despite the feeble condi-
tion of many of them, was remarked along
the line of march. and Gen. Farnsworth
and staff were accorded an ovation long to
be remembered.
The reception given the President and
Commissioner Evans has been most enthu-
siastic. Everywhere Mr.. Mckinley has
gone he has been greeted with deafening
cheers.
Quaker City's Hospitality.
The Quaker city has sustained It's reputa-
ton for hospitality in the excellent prepa-
ratons made for the entertainment of the
Grand Army. There are over 1000 COM
rades of the Department of the Potomac
here and today they unit in declar-
ing their appreciation of what has been
done in order to make the encampment a
success
The trip of members of the Department
of the Potomac and their friends from
Washington to Philadelphia yesterday was
without special incident except in single
case of an unfortunate accident to Com
rade James +. McCabe, past junior vice
commander of the department and lieu
tenant in the Old Guard. Comrade Nc
Cahe made the trip with the Old Guard via
the Pennsylvania road. and when nearing
Philadelphia was standing in the aisle of
his car when the train went around a
curve. He was thrown down and his left
shoulder was dislocated. He was promptly
cared for and later in the day, with his
arm in a sling. he on the street view
ing the naval parade. The accident was
quite a painful one, but ii is not thought
IL will prevent the brave old soldier from
remaining here throughout the encamp-
ment-
The Pension Question.
The chief object of conversation among
Grand Army men here. when they find time
to think of anything beyond the gay festivi-
ties of the city is the probable action OF
the encampment on the subject of the ad-
uin!stration of the pension laws by Com
encampment draws near the likelihood of
any severe criticism of the commissioner
by the Grand Army as a body seems more
and more remote. 1t is now well under
stood that any attempt to have a resoiu-
tion adopted condemning his admnistra-
zion will precipitate fight in the encamp-
nent that is apt to be very bitter Your
Correspondent has talked with several lead
ing men in the Department OF the Poto-
mac on this subject and they do not heSl-
tate tC declare their intention to defend
the commissioners administration OF ms
bureau and to put up stubborn hSht
against any official action by the encamp-
mtCt-
from all parts of the country who will join
them if the question assumes serious pro-
portions. These comrades decline express
ing themselves on this question for pubica-
tiou as they are hoping for a report favor
ahla 10 the commissioner from the commit
tee TO which charges against his admins
tr,tior were referred. With such report
they hope to head off further action, and
they declare they will say nothing un.-. an
attack on the commissioner Is actually be-
gun. Mr. Evans himself Is fully prepared
to defend his course in the pension bureau.
and ~ he is forced to do SO, Will probably
take occasion to make a speech here that
will make exceedingly interesting reading
matter for the country at large. 1t Is gen
orally understood. of course, that President
Mckinley would greatly regret the precipi-
tation of fight of this kind. aao many In
fluences are working to secure harmony.
Commissioner Evans friends insist tnat II
the members of the Grand Army wish
greater liberality in the administration of
the pension laws Congress should be ap-
pealed TO to frame laws in accordance with
what they want done. but the critics OF the
commissioner lay stress on their claim that
II is within the power of the commissioner
to so interpret the law as to comply with
their assertions of what is due the veterans.
and they have many able and persistent ad-
yucateS of their claims here.
The Next Encnmpment.
The Department of the Potomac Will not
attempt TO have the next encampment come
to Washington. The leading cities whose
representatives working for this honor
next year are Chicago and Denver. and the
delegates from the Department of the Poto-
mac are quite generally in favor of going
to Chicago.
There are several very active candidates
for election as commander-in-chief OF the