The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-10-08
GIVEN HEARTY WELCOME
Thousands Of Veterans Greet
"Comrade" E. F. Ware.
TW0-HOUR RECEPTION HELD
Commissioner of Pensions Makes an
Address, and Gen. Ell Torrance
Responds in Short Speech.


friends gathered in the mammoth cour
OF the Pension Office yesterday after
noon to greet the new Commissioner o
Pensions. Hon. Eugene F. Ware. ant
his assistants.
The reception began at 8 o'clock, an'
continued for two hours. During thii
time it was estimated by the Pension
Office authorities that $4,000 people
passed through the building, every por'
ton of which was thrown open for in
spection.
A few minutes after 3 o'clock Gen
Ell Torrance, commanderin- chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic, was es-
corted to the scene of the reception
from his headquarters at the Ebbiti
House, by detachment of thirty vet
Grams under the command of Capt. lib. F
Chase. The distinguished guest was
received by Mr.. f. r. Campbell, chair
man of the reception committee. He
was greeted by Commissioner Ware
First Deputy Commissioner ]. L. Daven-
port, Deputy Commissioner l.. NJ. Kelly.
and Chief Clerk W. II. Bayly.
The Marine Band, stationed on a rails
ed platform at the eastern side of the
building, rendered patriotic airs.
Veterans Welcomed.
Commissioner Ware delivered the ad-
dress of welcome in a few words, in
which he extended TO the soldiers. their
relatives and friends, the freedom of
the Pension Office and a most cordial
greeting.
The address of Commissioner Ware
was responded to by General Torrance
in a short speech. after which there was
more music by the Marine Band. The
receiving line. composed Of Commits
sioner Ware and Deputy Commission
ers Davenport and Kelly, then left the
platform 10 shake the hands of the
veterans.
Commissioner Ware. although taxed
by the strain of shaking hands with
thousands of eager comrades. enjoyed
the experience. The enthusiasm of the
veterans was boundlesss They could
scarcely be persuaded to pass along"
for each wished to enjoy an extended
chat with the commissioner.
Every now and then some grizzled
wearer of the blue, minus a leg or an
arm. hobbling forward with expectant
face. would draw the arm of the COM
missioner through his own in genuine
fraternal greeting, and whisper some
thing IN his ear.
Little Pension Matter.
Say. Comrade Ware" growled one
old fellow in husky, but cordial voice.
I've got little pension matter I'd
like to have you look up for me. The
blamed things been hanging fire for a
mighty long time now. You'll fix it
for me, won't your
The Commissioner of Pensions smiled
broadly and PASSED the confidential
claimant along with grip of the hand
During the progress of the reception
musical program was rendered by the
Pension Office choir. a quartet from
the Sons of Veterans College at Mar
shalltown, Iowa. and the Modoc Club,
of Topeka. Kan.
The songsters from the Sunfower
State not only sang well, but gave Sc
lections of their own composition. all
pertinent to the C. A. R. encampment,
and expressing in verse sentiments
which kept the veterans roaring with
laughter and approval.
Modoc Club Singers.
The Modoc Club is composed of The
following. under the leadership of State
Senator T. ]. Anderson: T J. Anderson,
J. G. Rodemeyer, Theodore Mullen.
Leonard Gleason. A. H. Bennett, F. A
Stevens, L. NJ Wood. F. C. Squire. ]. p. |
Lacey, c. W. Schwartz, NJ. c. holman. W. |
Bolinger J. H. Sobecker. Charles L. |
Wood, NJ. d. Henderson, E. C. Robinson,
W. B. Thompson, W. H. McKirahan, W |
E. Lyman. e. C. Lewis. T. F. Sherman,
Joseph Griley. H. c. Goodrich.
Old war time songs were also sung by |
the Pension Office choir. under the lead
ership of DR.. F. J. Woodman. and COM |
posed of the following trained musicians
employed in the bureau:
DR.. F. ]. Woodman. director: ]. X |
Hench. Ralph jefferson, w H. Wentz. |
E. A. Van Week, Victor L. Dodge. A. 6. |
Mccoy. w. G. Penny. p. W Coleman.
W. T. Fisher, DR.. Fred X. SWEET. I. c. |
Stockton, A. G. Stockton, H. NJ Lincoln,
]. H. Carcombe. J. S. Manning, NJ. j. |
McGirr, T. R. Pirtle. II. J. Hunt. b. W.
Beebe, John F. Blackman. j. E. Rattley,
d. H. Clark. George Godron. George
Scharf w. C. Taylor, c. H. Dewey, H. J.
Decker. J. r. Keenan,, H NJ Gunderson,
A. J. Green. E. L. Howard. E. c. Miller.
f. v. O'Brlen. John F. Keenan,, Charles
NJ. Yeates, A. T. Randall, William l..
Peabody, j. H. Brunemen.
Prominent Guests.
The following were among the guests
seated upon the platform: b. H. War
Ter, chairman executive committee:
General Torrance and staff: Hon. Frank
q Campbell; Mr.. E. NJ Dawson, In
erior Department; Hon. Willis Van
)evanter. Assistant Attorney General.
Interior Department; Hon. William H.
5oody, Secretary of the Navy: Hon.
,inger Hermann. Commissioner of the
General Land Office; Hon William A.
Assistant Commissioner of
he Land Office; Hon. William A. Jones.
Commissioner of Indian Affairs: Hon.