The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28
REUNION OF THE G. A. R.
PREPARATIONS AT WASHINGTON
FOR RECEPTION OF VETERANS.
Programme of Next Weeks Functions
secretary Hay to Deliver the En-
campment Grafton.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27.-With the
hearty cooperation of the national govern
ment and the sustained support of the
government of the District of Columbia,
the Washington citizens executive COM
mittee has now almost completed it's prepa-
rations for the forthcoming encampment
of the Grand Army. At no time has the
attendance on this encampment been in
doubt. The success of the programme to
be offered the capitals visitors was at
issue only a fortnight or so. But the pros
pect offered to-day is so fair and promising
that. as General Torrance-the commander
in-chief-said months ago: This reVnion
bids fair to be the most successful, the
most interesting, and the most significant
encampment in the history of the organ
ization."
The support of the administration is to
be manifested by the presence of the ex-
ecutive on the reviewing stand while the
veteran soldiers march past In serried
ranks; by an executive order granting
veterans in the civil service leave Of alb
sence for their participation in the exer-
cises; by an address from the secretary
of state, who will formally dedicate the
to the many corps and army reunions
which are to occur here in October; by the
service of the secretary of war as the
chairman of the reception committee, and
by the most generous grants of public res
ervations of public parks which Washing
ton City has ever known. Indeed, the CO.
operation of the national government has
been so hearty and generous as to excite
the visiting veterans sent here as advance
agents to expressions of the most pro-
nounced wonder and pleasure.
For the District government the president
OF the Board of Commissioners, which body
sits in absolute dominion over the entire
territory, is to extend the Grand Army the
freedom of the city. Whole avenues are to
be reserved solely for the parades, which
are to be the most characteristic feature of
the encampment. The preparations of such
pro tempore regulations as the programme
OF the citizens committee may require has
been left practically in the hands of that
committee itself. In short, the municipality
has reinforced the citizens executive COM
mittee at every possible point.
DECORATIONS.
But this is only half the story. The entire
capital city has pledged itself to make this
thirty-sixth encampment even more nota-
BILE than that held here ten years ago. when
in attendance and interest Grand Army en-
campments reached their high-water mark.
Every building along every street where
the lines are to march is to be transformed
into field of waving color. Flags will be
hung aslant from every window. Huge ban
ners suspended across Pennsylvania avenue.
will CLEAN at night in the light of dozens of
searchlights. Every hotel, every boarding
house. every lunch room has been pledged
to maintain it's regular prices, and these
pledges are signed in writing by the mana
gers. Nine-tenths of the residences of the
city will entertain visiting veterans or their
friends. About half the entire space avail
able for lodgings has already been pre-
empted. The contributions to the enter
tainment fund represent, in all probability,
a larger number of citizens than any sim
liar subscription list ever created in Wash
ington. The executive committee has had
the support of every person in the entire
district from whom it could reasonably ex-
pect help.
All this is manifested in the encamp-
ment programme in its present state. These
columns have already given the substance
OF that programme, a statement of its
extra and unusual features, and a synopsis
of the low railroad rates offered to resi-
dents of every section.
From day to day, however, this pro-
gramme has been expanded. Instead of
one large public meeting. there will now
be five, TO say nothing of scores of small
er reunions and special assemblies.
On Sunday, Oct 8, one of the large tents
in Camp Roosevelt will be given over to
religious exercises, conducted by clergy
men noted during the war
Next day at the same place. Secretary
Hay will deliver the most memorable ora
ton of the reunion and dedicate the huge
canvases all about him to the campfires
of the men, who, like himself, stood with
Lincoln. That evening a campfire for all
the veterans assembled in the city will
be held in Convention Hall, an auditorium
which seats comfortably 5000 persons
A reception will be rendered all pension
Oct. Z, by the commissioner of pensions.
This is to occur in the afternoon and will
include a personal greeting to every PEN
sioner who wishes to call on Commissioners
Ware. the presentation of a souvenir card
to every seteran whose application for PEN
sion is now pending. and a notable con-
cert conducted by the clerks of the bureau.
The key to the city will be presented to
General Torrance IN Convention Hail. the
evening Of Tuesday. Oct. Z. The next night