Evening star., 1901-12-19
THE GRAND ARM Y
The Boys in Blue to Assemble Here
Next Year.
over 100000 VISITORS EXPECTED
Suggestion Made Regarding En-
tertainment of Veterans.
COMMANDER STONES VIEWS

The coming of the Grand Army cohorts
to Washington next fall on the occasion of
the thirty sixth annual encampment of the
organization has awakened widespread in
terest. This will be the second opportunity
given those who wore the blue to march
down Pennsylvania avenue in grand review
since the memorable war of the rebellion.
In September, 1892, over 10000 battle
SCARED heroes assembled at the national
capital and renewed old associations and
camp ties. The grand pageant, which is
now memorable in history, passed in review
before the President of the United States,
the late Benjamin Harrison, himself sur
vivor of the contest of the sections.
Notwithstanding that nearly ten years
the Grand Army here and despite the fact
that the ranks of the organization have
been greatly depleted, the approaching con-
clave bids fair to equal, if not outclass, it's
predecessor. A great many members of the
organization who were not present at the
last encampment here promise to attend
the next, and in addition a large number of
the sons of the old veterans who have
passed away will represent their sires in
line, so that notwithstanding the havoc
caused by death in the ranks there will be
no apprecable diminution when the host
of flag defenders assemblies here next Sep
tember
1t was not definitely decided that WASH
lnston was to again have the honor of
tertaining the G. A. r. until last week,
when the national executive committee of
the organization, in special session at Chi
cago, decided the matter Several other
cities, including Denver, Col, and Atlantic
City. N. j., made strenuous claims and of
Tered many inducements to secure the COW
eted prize.
1t was largely through the efforts of
H. $50
ment of the Potomac, G. A. R.. who worked
hard and conscientiously to have Wash
lngton selected as the next place of en-
campment, that such result was achieved
commander Stone, in an interview with an
Evening Star reporter today said:
am more than gratified to know that
the committee has decided upon this CITY
as the place for the next encampment. 1t
is now up to the citizens of Washington to
arrange for entertaining the visitors. We
won out at Chicago after a somewhat stub
born fight with Denver and Atlantic City.
bon of which places were more than anX-
louS 10 secure the encampment. Our
strength lay in the fact that we were able
to guarantee better railroad rates and a
larger fund for entertainment than our
competitors.
Railway Rates.
Eve have made arrangements with the
railroads to offer such a cheap rate as will
insure the attendance of thousands of peo-
pie from all parts of the country The
central roads have agreed to bring organi-
cations and visitors to this city during en-
campment week at the rate of I cent a
mile, which l regard as remarkably low.
and the trunk lines in this section of the
country have met the problem by agreeing
TO transport passengers from any section
contiguous to their lines at one fare for
the round trip. / am not optimistic when
| say that these arrangements ought to in
sure the attendance of at least 100000 Wis
itorS here.
Just what date the encampment will
be held continued Commander Stone, "has
not yet been decided, but it will probably
occur during the first week in October of
next year. We will be somewhat guided
by President Roosevelt's wishes in the mat
ter. l called on the President yesterday
and Informed him of the purpose of the G.
A. K. to meet here next year. He was de-
lighted and promised to come from wher-
ever he might be and upon whatever date
we decided. 1 informed Mr. Roosevelt that
although knew he must have good opin-
lon OF US now, he would naturally have a
much better opinion when he gazed into
the faces of over 10000 loyal defenders of
the Union.
washington was selected" said the COM
mander, by General Ell Torrance, COM
mander-in-chief of the organization and
by other members of the national council.
1t is usually the custom to select the next
place of meeting at the annual encamp-
ment, but this year while at Cleveland the
untimely death of President Mckinley up-
set all our plans in this respect. and we
decided to let the matter of the next meet
ing of the organization rest with the ma
tional council, at a meeting to be held SUBJ
Ject to the call Of the commander -n-chief,
hence the meeting in Chicago last week"
The Expense Fund.
General Stone said that the Grand Army
would expect the cooperation of the Board
Of Trade and Business Mems Association
of this city in formulating committees for
raising funds and devising ways and means
for the entertainment of the thousands of
visitors who will be within our gates It
Is thought that $4,000 will be required to
defray necessary expenses, and 1t Is Com
mander Stones intention to raise this
amount among the citizens of Washing
ton without seeking congressional aid.
On the occasion of the last annual en-
campment here in September 1892, over
$l5O.GoO was expended. Ninety thousand
dollars of this amount was appropriated by
Congress.
This is deemed more than sufficient for
the present occasion. as it is said that there
was useless expenditure by the commit
tee of $4,000 for barracks for the accom-
modation of veterans on the White Lot.
These quarters were occupied by less than
5000 men.
Commander Stones idea for the coming
encampment is to have the veterans housed
in halls and vacant business houses which
he thinks can be rented for nominal sum-
thus reducing to minimum the amount
necessary to properly lodge and take care
of the visitors.
1t is believed that the Board of Trade
will call meeting Immediately after the
holidays at which time committees of
prominent business men will be appointed
to act in cooperation with the local and
national committees Of the G. A. R., to in
sure the success of the next annual en-
campment.
Elections and Installations.
Capitol Chapter, No. II, r. A. NJ, has