The Washington times., 1902-05-28
STRENUOUS EFFORTS
TO SWELL G. A. R. FUND
Encampment Officials to
Make Further Appeals.
AID OF NEWSPAPERS ASKED
Only About Forty Per Cent of Bush
ness Men New Represented in Sub
scriptions Already Received-Plans
for Adding to Fund.

The meeting of the finance committee
charged with raising funds for the en-
campment of the Grand Army OF the Re-
public to be held in this city next Octo-
ber at encampment headquarters last
night was the occasion OF the gathering
Of the forces for q renewed effort to
complete the guarantee fund at an early
day. Members of Congress are to be
importuned for personal subscriptions,
and with the consent OF the heads of the
Government departments subscription
lists will be placed in each office, and
all of the Government employees will be
given an opportunity to contribute to
the fund.
A resolution was adopted requesting
the newspapers OF the city to publish
the complete list OF subscriptions to
the fund and to throw open their col
umns to popular subscriptions to the
fund. publishing each day such addi-
tional contributions as may be received.
II was stated that only about 40 per
cent of the business men of the city
were represented in the fund ths-t has
already been subscribed. and Mr. Ray
mcnd expressed confidence that from
amcng the remaining so per cent the
balance of the $4,000 could be raised, IL
not a greater amount. He thought 1t
probable that with proper effort on the
part OF the members of the committee
the fund could be raised to $50. 900. as
we'll as the amount that is required by
the Commissioners before they will ex-
tend the official invitation to the vet
erans
In calling the meeting to order Mr..
Frank X. Raymond, the chairman OF the
committee. stated that the total sub
scriptions to date. including one for
$1,000 which had been promised by a
prominent business man who is identi-
fed with the city's interests, amounted
to si2.0I0. This sum is within $500
oI the total popular subscription on
the occasion of the former encampmeut
held here ten years ago. He stated fur
ther that this sum was as great as had
been raised ten years ago at so early a
date. The finance committee ten years
ago. however was much later in get
ting to work than was fine case in the
present instance.
Small Housing Fund.
OF the s141,OO0 raised ten years ago
100000 was appropriated by Congress,
$1,000 Of which was Immediately dis
posed OF in providing free quarters for
the veterans. This year, under the
agreement with the officers of the G. A.
r.. the payment OF s12 900 to the proper
official of the organization absolves the
committee from all responsibility for
lodging the visitors. Furthermore.
profiting by the former experience. the
hope to accomplish their
ends this year with much less expendi-
,ure in other directions
while the entertainment committee
expended $40. .i0S IS ten years ago." said
Mr. Raymond. lit is estimated that
81 500 will meet all of their requirements
At this encampment. The greater por-
ion of the expenditure of this commit
zee in 1892 was for the reception at the
Pension Office. which is no longer avail
,ble for such purpose. Few of us
'ealze the crowd that will be in the
,ity during the encampment. The rail-
'oads throughout the West are already
the encampment, and are re-
orting to every device to insure large
business.
II was in Philadelphia recently during
he gathering OF the passenger agents
u number OF the roads. In discussing
he situation with them, and suggesting
hat We were expecting probably 400. COO
'eople here during the encampment.
vas surprised at the assurance with
which the officers of the transportation
ompanies assured me that the final fig
res would show nearer 500.0 900 or SOC. 900
eople than the figure which had quot
d. The official figures of the last en-
ampment held here place the number
I visitors at 397 .000.''