Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-06
WILL. CENSURE EVANS
Report of G., A. R. Committee Which
Investigated Pension Office.
ABSORBING TOPIC AT PHILADELPHIA
Encampment, However, May Not
Censure the Commissioner.
THE PROG NJ TODAY
Special From Staff Correspondent.

morning at the Grand Opera House. The
one absorbing topic was the probable atti-
tude of the encampment on the subject of
Commissioner Evans administration of the
pension office. The report of the committee
appointed at the last annual encampment
to inquire into any cases of unfair treat
ment of pension claimants may be reached
this afternoon or tonight. The feeling ex-
listing among many of the delegates on this
question is 60 intense that very heated
debate, in which there will be considerable
denunciation of Commissioner Evans, as
we'll as a strong defense of his course, can
not be avoided.
Your correspondent learns that the re-
port of the committee, which has been
carefully guarded TO prevent its premature
publication, will be a condemnation of
Commissioner Evans administration, but
will cite number of cases in which the
committee thinks pension claimants should
be treated with more consideration through
more favorable rulings by the commits
sioner.
The report will he conservative in tone
This report, however, will not prevent del
egates from making some very denuncia-
tory speeches. The force of the opposl-
ton to Mr.. Evans is shown by the fact
that Shaw, the New York candidate for
election as commandef-in-chief of the
Grand Army. is making his opposition to
Mr.. Evans as reason why he should re-
ceive the votes of the delegates. Undoubt-
edly Shaw is today leading the race for
this Office and his chances for success are
made very strong because Of the system
attic way in which his campaign is being
managed. His picture has been widely cir
culated. and Shaw badges are in evidence
very generally. His friends afe working
for votes with great vigor.
The Opposite View.
Other candidates for election as COM
mander-in-chief take the ground that the
question of the administration OF the pen
sion bureau should not figure In the cam
paign and they are drawing to them mon
who feel that the fight against Commits
sioner Evans IS unwarrantsd.
Mr.. Evans. being comrade ia sntitled to
admission to the Grand Opera House gal
leries during the sessions Of the encamp-
ment, but. not being a delegate, cannot 80
on the floor. His friends regret that there
is no way to secure him the privilege OF
the floor. in order that he might be able to
make a defense of his course. He Ia an
effective public speaker, and while MAIN
tanning his good nature in the heat Of de-
bate, he can use strong language, and 70
quick at retort. Everywhere he has gone
since coming here he has received hearty
greetings. Last night he dropped in at the
Continental Hotel, and when his presence
was known he was given an ovation by the
Grand Army men. He was the last speak
er last night at the banquet given by
Kingsley, George c. Meade and Lafayette
Posts. three very influential Grand Army
organizations, and took occasion to call at
tention to some facts regarding pension
administration, showing that never before
had the government exercised 80 much lib
erality toward the pensioners as during the
past fiscal year He oompHmented the SOL
diers of the Union, and spoke Of their valor
and the timely service they had rendered
the government. Then he referred to the
work OF the pension office. and gave some
figures. which have been published In The
Star. to show how the government had
frequently, and. from the demonstration
there made, no one would have thought
that he was anything but a most popular
commissioner Of pensions.
misunderstanding Pension Attorneys
1t is evident that q great many Grand
Army men have been Influenced to believe
that there Is an unfrtsndliness toward them
on the part of the pension bureau while
they are unable to toll just why they be-
lieve this to be so. It is also evident that
a great deal Of this feeling 10 the result of
the work of pension attorneys, many of
whom have given applicants for increases
OF pensions the idea that they would have
for were it not for the attitude of the
commissioner of pensions.
The final action Of the enoampment is not
likely to be the adoption Of any resolution
strongly condemning Commissioner Evans.
His friends will urge that Congress and
not the administration ofncsr is the means
for redress OF whateyer wrongs the
Grand Army may claim. President NJ Kin
ley is known to earnestly desire that his
administrative officer should not be re-
buked by the Grand Army, and Commits
is making friends here constantly. He
will remain in Philadelphia until the close
OF the encampment.
Report at 2i8O PM
The encampment this morning made the
report of the special committee to report
on the administration Of the pension bu-
reau the order of business at 2:3O o'clock.
The most intense interest is centering on
this report. AS soon as 1t is made 1t will
be before the encampment for action with
out reference to any committee 1t will
open the night to be made on Commissioner
Evans The sentiment of the encampment
is so evenly divided that delegates are una
BILE TO judge whether test vote will be
for or against Mr. Evans Those against
him claiming that they will succeed
in adopting a resolution condemning his
administration in severe terms but his
tion, and say that any resolution on that
subject In order TO be passed must be very
conservative.
committee on resolutions was TODAY
appointed, with one member for each de-
partment. Ex-Commissioner of Pensions
Tanner represents New York and Mr. Nc
Elroy. editor of the National Tribune, rep
resents the department of the Potomac
They are both working vigorously against
Evans.
johnson Succeeds Sexton.
The encampment today elected Senior
Vice Commander johnson of Ohio to be
commander-in-chief of the Grand Army for
the unexpired term of the late Commander
Sexton. Junior Vice Commander Ross of
Delaware was elected senior vice COM
mander. to fill the uneXpired term of Com
rade Johnson. There is every indication
that Shaw of New York will be elected
commander-in-chief for the coming year
HIS strong antagonism to Commissioner
Evans would make 1t certain that the fight
against the pension bureau will be kept
up during the coming year if he is elected
1t Is generally believed that Chicago will
be selected as the meeting place OF the en-
campment next year.
Last evening the ladies of the women's
Relief Corps, No. 6, OF Lincoln Post, No
g. gave a reception at the Bingham Hotel
Among the ladies who assisted "a the re-
ception were Mrs. 8. r. Jacobs PRESIDENT
OF the corps; Mrs Barber. Mrs. Wyman