The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-15
4 GRAND ARMY PROTEST
Veterans Want Precedence Over
the National Guard.
A Troublesome Detail of the Parade
to BE Settled by General Greene
Volunteer Cavalry From Porto
Rico to Mnrch-Members of the Re-
ception Committee Announced.

A request that the Grand Army of the
Republic be given precedence over the
National Guard in the position to be as
signed in the inaugural parade, was pre-
scented yesterday to Chairman Edison, of
the Inaugural Committee. George H.
Slaybaugh, Past Commander of the De-
partment of the Potomac; Israel Stone,
elected commander of the department last
Saturday night, and Major Leander P.
williams, Senior Vice Commander, called
upon MIR. Edison yesterday afternoon, and
laid the matter before him.
The representatives of the Grand Army
of the Republic take the position that
they are entitled to first consideration
because of the fact that they have seen
actual warfare, have actively defended
the national dag and honor in battle. and
have demonstrated their patriotism be-
yond question. Volunteer troops they
consider untried, and question their right
to be considered as soldiers.
The Chairman of the Inaugural Commit
tee discussed the subject with his visi-
tors, and explained that final decision
rested with the Grand Marshal, Gen.
Francis Vinton Greene, who is at present
in New York. He promised to bring the
matter to his attention, and expressed the
hope that their wishes would be met. Mr..
Edison is himself a prominent member of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
A battalion of Porto Rico Volunteer Cav
airy will take Part in the inaugural parade.
Major General Brooke, commanding the
Department of the East, has received or
deFs from the War Department to have
these troops sent from San Juan on army
transports. The transports will be landed
at Newport News, and the battalion will
proceed to Washington on the Potomac
steamers. While some Of the officers of
the Porto Rican Volunteers are Americans.
the rank and file are all natives of the
island The battalion coming to Washing
ton will be unmOunted. and Major Eoen
Smith captain of the Fifth Cavalry L. S.
A, will be in command. After the inau
gural ceremonies are over, the contingent
will return to Porto Rico via New York,
leaving there on army transports.
Orders have also been issued by the War
Department for the transportation of the
cadets from West Point Military Academy
About 400 cadets will march in the parade
An interesting fact has been learned in
connection with the proposed participa ton
of the cadets from Annapolis in the pa
rade. There is no fund available from
which the necessary expenses of transpor-
tation, quartering, and subsistence, can
be met. 1t is too late TO expect that Con-
gress would act upon an application to
provide funds for the purpose. At West
Point fund is available for the purpose
out Of the unexpended appropriation, and
Will be drawn upon to bring the military
cadets to the National Capital for the eel
ebration of March 4. Gen. Francis Vim
ton Greene, Grand Marshal of the inaug-
ural parade, has been extremely
DESTROYS that both academies be repre-
sented at the inauguration. When all
other means failed, General Greene de-
termined to interest his own personal
friends. and call upon their patriotism
to furnish the necessary funds. With a
liberal contribution from his own purse,
he has accumulated a sum from acquaint-
ances in New York and elsewhere to de-
fray the necessary expenses. General
Greene has not given this action publicity
and his share in the affair has leaked out
without his knowledge.
Fifty Indian girls will accompany the
cadets from the Carlisle Indian School,
who viii participate in the inaugural
parade. Major Pratt. in charge of the
school, notified the inaugural Committee
yesterday morning
Edward II. Droop. marshal of the Citi-
zens' Mounted Brigade, has appointed John
Willard Heidi his chief of steff At least
]. 900 men, it is estimated, will be in the
column of march as the District OF Co
luDbia representation in the inaugural
parade. Probably the largest organization
which Will be in this contingent is the
Maryland Active Republican Club, of the
District OF Columbia.
The secretary OF the Committee on Civic
Organizations, Captain Lewis. received
yesterday the notification that the Harri-
son Club, of Philadelphia, would be ac-
eompanied by a doctors emergency CORPS
which viii act as escort. The corps will
be mounted. and numbers seventeen doc
tors. DR.. ]. V. Allen, of Philadelphia, will
be in command.
The Committee on Civic Organizations
has also been officially advised that sixty
men from the United Republican Club of
Philadelphia. will parade. The delegation
will be in command OF G. f. Fisher. mar
shal, and will bo accompanied by band.
The uniforms will consist of light over