Evening star., 1902-01-22
Grand Army Encampment May Not
Be Held in Washington.
STATEMENT BY COMMANDER STONE
Delay in Perfecting Arrangements
Alleged as Cause.
COST OF ENTERTAINMENT

Commander Israel Stone of the Depart
ment of the Potomac g. A. r., announced
today that in consequence of the delay of
Washington's business men in taking action
with reference to the entertainment of the
guests 1t is extremely doubtful whether
the annual encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic in 1902 can be held
in this city. This decision, he said, was
based upon the inaction of the Board of
Trade, the Business Mems Association and
the railroad committee. The matter is ex-
pected to come to an issue in February
when the Department of the Potomac will
hold its annual session and when Colonel
Stone will entertain Judge Eli Terrence of
Minneapolis, commander-in-chief of the ma
tional organization. If the prelminaries
to which Commander Stone refers shall
have been adjusted by that time it has
been practically decided the encampment
shall occur during the first week in Oc-
tober
Commander Terrence and the national
executive committee have followed an es-
| tablished custom of the Grand Army in re-
quiring certain preliminary preparations"
said Commander Stone to a Star reporter
this morning. Briefly those requirements
are: That general headquarters shall be
provided the commander-in-chief and his
staff in some local hotel at the expense Of
| the local authorities; that suitable railroad
concessions shall be obtained; that a suit
able grand stand shall be contracted for
with seating capacity of 1,50O; that 1000
badges shall be provided; that hotel ac-
commodations shall be provided for the
commander-in-chiefa and his staff of about
twenty; that the municipal interests shall
arrange to have the city in gala attire;
and, most important of all, that free Sleep
ing accommodations shall be provided by
oit. 40 f1n1 nta
rams.
The Expense Involved.
ITO meet these requirements will cost the
city not less than $4,000. But that ex-
penditure will be more than repaid. 1 have
assurances from all over the country that
an encampment here in 1902 would bring
to the capital hundreds of thousands Of
visitors. The veterans and their friends
are all prosperous. Times are notoriously
good. The crowds must spend millions of
dollars In defraying their necessary ex-
penses and when the conditions are SO
favorable they will undoubtedly spend mil
lions more. But I'm afraid the necessities
of the situation are not at all understood
in Washington. Unless something Is done
to meet the requirements l have indicated
l shall soon go to Chicago and inform the
national commander our people here DO
not care for the encampment.
"A long time ago l wrote letter to each
of the bodies l have named-the Board OF
Trade, the Business Mems Association
and the railroad committeeman set forth
the preliminary pledges required by the
G. A. r. The officers of those associations
couldn't have been ignorant Of them. They
were all met in 1892 But so far l have not
had a single reply.
Cent-a-Mile Rate.
I'VE took with US to Chicago an agree
ment with the Trunk Line Association that
a cent-a-mile rate would be granted from
| all parts Of the country. That preliminary
| Is therefore out of the way. But not a
| single step has been taken to meet any Of
| the others. There isn't even q committee
| on finance. understand the local interests
| are waiting to learn how much the rail-
roads are willing to subscribe toward the
| entertainment fund. But neither the G.. A.
r. nor the business men can afford to
| wait much longer.
Gen. Terrence is to come here in Feb
| ruary and we shall talk the matter over
| then. If the assurances required by the
executive committee have been met by that
] time the Grand Army will be in readiness
| to arrange for the greatest encampment 1t
| has ever held.
| President Roosevelt Interested.
| ''It has been about decided to fix the date
| for the first week in October. The month
| of September in Washington Is frequently
pretty hot and October is much cooler.
| Then we think October Is the better month
| for the veterans to leave their homes and
| farms. President Roosevelt can attend In
| October and could not do so in Sept tember
| l conferred with him on the subject re-
| Gently and he gave me assurances of his
| hearty interest and definitely stated he
! would review the parade If the encampment
| were held in October and not in September
| when he is certain to be out Of the city.
| From every point of view October seems
to be the better month and 1 have great
! confidence Commander Terrence will hold
| to that opinion.
''The whole encampment project hangs
| on the preliminary arrangements, however
| The annual meeting of the veterans must
! surely be held in some other city unless
| Washington prepares to entertain the
Grand Army appropriately"
| Table Wines.