The Washington times., 1902-10-14
GENERAL TORRANCE
PRAISES COMMITTEE
Says Reunion Arrangements
Pleased Veterans.
RESULTS FAR REACHING
Mr.. Shoemaker Thinks Visitors Will
Exert Influence in Behalf
of City.
RESULTS FAR REACHING

Plessing reminders of the recent Grand
Army encampment in this city are thl
graceful and heartfelt expressions OF
thanks contained in personal letters
sent to each of the officers of the citi-
zens' committee by General Torrance.
the retiring chief of the
Grand Army. One of these was directed
to Chairman Brainard H. Warner. 1t
is as follows:
Il leave this evening for home. and
before doing SO take a moments time
to again thank you for your many cour-
tesies shown me personally and to con-
gratulate you upon. the entire success
of the work of the citizens executive
committee. Every proper and necessary
provision was made for the comfort and
qualification of the veterans. ! have not
heard a single word of complaint from
any quarter and l wish you TO be sure
of my high appreciation of your efforts
and that of your associates in behalf OF
my comrades and their visiting friends.
1t has. without question, been one of the
most delightful encampments in the his
tory of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. We will always recall This reunion
with the greatest satisfaction and will
have a warmer attachment than ever for
the Capital City of the nation"
To Secretary Barry Bulkley, TO whose
magnetic personality and unanswerable
arguments General Torrance attributes
the bringing of the encampment TO
Washington. the retiring conlmander-in-
chief wrote:
Left Nothing Desired.
'J had hoped to see you prior to my
departure for Minneapolis, but as the
hour drews near l fear that ! shall be
disappointed. / have favor to ask OF
you. and it is that you send me. If you
can, set of badges, programs. and SOU
venirs relating to the thirtysiNth ma
tional encampment of the G. A. R.
81 have no doubt you are very tired
after your ardaous labors, and l can
only repeat what / have said so often.
that the arrangements on the part OF
the Washington people were everything
that could be desired by the visiting
comrades and their friends and we shall
always retair the most pleasant recol-
lections of his reunion
Louis p. Shoemaker. first vice chair
man of the executive committee, stated
yesterday that the enoampment, in mis-
opinion had been one of the most de-
lightful gatherings ever experienced in
Washington. and one whose beneficial
results would be far reaching.
what has particularly impressed me.
said he. has been the exceptional order
that has prevailed. The veterans. and
those who came with them, seemed to
be of better class than are usually
brought by cheap railroad fares, and
the absence of drunkenness was a mat
ter of universal comment. Everyone
seemed highly pleased at everything.
particularly the variety of entertain
ment that was provided for them. With
one-fourth the available money that was
used ten years ago we have sent the
crowd away better pleased than ever
before.
Benefits Incalculable.
"The benefits to the city by this gath
ering from all parts of the country will
be incalculable. Every man went home
impressed with the fact that this is
the nations capital, and that improve
ments should be made on national
basis. Each visitor will use his infu-
ence with his Congressman to make this |
the most beautiful and the most artis-
tic city in the world. The time has
passed when the development of the |
nations capital should be dependent;
upon the ability of the local people TO
bear half of the cost of improvements.
Such policy could but result either in
the unbearable taxation of the people !
or in restricting the development of the
city. / believe that the Congressional
Library, with all of its magnifcence is
butNn indication OF what future build
ings will be-
Secretary Bulkley stated yesterday
that while it was as yet impossible TO
secure a definite statement as to finances
he believed that the committee would be
able 10 meet all obligations with the
money now on hand. Chairman Frank
X. Raymond, of the finance committee.
yesterday announced further donation
of s25 from A Loefiier.
The committee is arranging, for the
sale OF lumber and other material that
has been in use. and from which It ex-
poets 10 derive considerable revenue.
Col. John McElroy. of the reunion com
mittea. who was IN charge of Camp
Roosevelt. yesterday afternoon turned
over TO a representative OF the cxecu-
tive committee all property in his pos
session. II viii be sold at auction.
CONSIDER EAST END REQUEST.
The District Commissioners have di-