Evening star., 1902-08-04
VETERANSlFROM WEST
States Beyond Ohio River
Interested ID Encampment.
MANY POSTS ToATrEND
SPECIAL 1npadcEmENrs am AN
NoUNcED BY TRUNK LINES.
q. A. h. Reunion is Attracting Much
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Itself Re-
garded as Greatest Attraction.

When committee of Washington bust
ness men appeared before the national ex-
ecutlve committee of the G. A. r. in Chi
cago last December and formally invited
the Grand Army to hold its 1902 reunion in
the capital city It met with confident as
surances from residents of the states be-
yond the Ohio river that the attendance
from the west would exceed that Of any
convention ever held in Washington.
since that time these assurances have been
greatly reinforced. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri and Ohio were among the first
states to reserve headquarters. At least
nal1 the applications for post accommoda-
nons have come from these same states,
ana notwithstanding the great distance to
De travelled, the number of men represented
IN each post delegation equals correspond
Ing numbers from states as near as New
1ork ana pennsylvania Finally, the testi-
mony OF the passenger agents for the dis
tricts west of the Ohio river Is that the
tramc during those first two weeks in Oc-
tober will exceed that of any Inauguration
whlch has been held In Washington.
win special purpose to make the en-
campment attractive to veterans from the
west and their friends, the citizens ex-
ecutive committee and Gen. Torrance, COM
ma nder-in-chief Of the G. A. R.-himsef a
~esterner-have arranged that the first
days festivities shall occur Monday, Oc-
tooer o, and that the encampment shall
be practically at an end Friday, October
~ ihis program will permit travellers over
the Alleghenies to attend the encampment
with the least possible loss of business
time. week of six working days will
cover the entire journey.
me railroads have entered heartily
INTO the spirit OF this plan. Their
agents have been in Washington once
arranging convenient schedules; particu-
lar streets have been set aside for
through western trains which lie over dur
Ing the whole period of the encampment.
and general rate Of less than l cent a
mile has been announced. with such ad-
vantageous stop-over privileges and optional
return routes that the period of the re-
union becomes a most opportune time for
the general citizen to visit the capital Of the
nation.
Providing for the Veterans.
The encampment program is expected to
be the most attractive ever offered veterans
Of the Grand Army. Practically for the
first time in its history especial prepara-
tions have been made for the entertainment
of the delegates to the convention which is
really the basis of the whole encampment.
The provisions made for veterans not dele
gates are equally noteworthy. At the en-
campment here ten years ago, which was
thought by many veterans to mark the
high tide of G. A. r. gatherings, open-air
quarters were built to accommodate co.
600 men. But this year those same veter-
ans have advanced ten years and the local
committee thought 1t unwise to subject
them to the hazard Of open-air accommoda-
tions. Accordingly ample funds have been
provided the general staff of the G. A. R.
for the accommodation Of members who
Washington, and the entire number will be
given comfortable quarters In boarding
houses within easy reach of Pennsylvania
avenue.
tentative at this time It Will follow gen
orally these lnes
Monday, the first day Of the encampment
will be marked by notable public meet
Ing, at which the veterans will be welcomed
to Washington by the cty's business men,
representatives Of it's patriotic organiza-
tions, the president of It's board of Com
ef mePner Of both
United States. Gen. Torrance will prob
ably acknowledge these greetings on behalf
Of the Grand Army. Several corps reunions
and a meeting Of the women's auxiliary
organizations which are to assemble stimuli
taneously with the G. A. R. will occur later
in the day. In the evening the citizens
committee will present at the base Of the
Washington monument the most notable
display of fireworks ever seen here Boxes
will be provided for distinguished guests
and reserved seats will be sold at a low
price, put tne greater portion OF the wide
area about the monument will be entirely
free
Two Noteworthy Parades.
What might be termed an ancillary parade
will be the chief feature of the second day.
The line will include the whole body of ex-
prisoners of war, representatives Of the As
ISOLATION Of the Battlefield, the corps of
Sons of Veterans, the District militia in it's
service uniform, and detachments of United
States regulars representing every arm of
the service A comprehensive schedule of
corps and regimental reunions Is being pre-
pared for the afternoon. In the evening the
fireworks will be repeated, a reception will
be rendered the officers of the women's or
ganizations and the whole city will be
Illuminated
The veterans will have their regular