The evening times., 1902-05-30
Petition to Prohibit Sub
SCriPtiOnS in Census.
Bureau.
MENACE TO THE BIG REUNION
Those in Charge Of Raising Finances
for Entertainment of the Hosts Of the
G. a. R Greatly Discouraged by the
Action of Some Members.

The most serious blow that has been
received by the citizens committee OF
the Thirty-sixth annual encampment Of
the Grand Army Of the Republic. and
one that threatens the success Of the en-
teTprise. is the outcome OF petition
signed by members of the Grand Army
appealing TO the Director Of the Census
TO prohibit the soliciting OF subscrip-
tious in that bureau. The document Is
numerousIy signed and recites that the
soldiers and sailors of the war Of the
rebellion serving in the army OF 1851
1863 protest against the taking up of q
collection IN that bureau for the pUT-
pose Of swelling the fund for the en-
tertainment Of the members of the
Grand Army during the encampment 10
be held in this city in October next
They base their objections upon the fact
that heretofore It has been the custom
for the funds TO be raised from among
the business men and transportation
companies, who. it is claimed. are most
benefited, and that it is an imposition
to call upon the comrades themselves to
contribute TO the entertainment Of their
visiting companions
Citizens Committee Surprised.
The petition came as a bombsheH in
the camp OF the citizens committee, as
it threatens not only TO put a Quietus
upon the collection of funds IN the Cen
sus Bureau. but makes II doubtful
whether OF not the same opposition viii
not be encountered in the other depart
ments Man OF the members of the
citizens committee express themselves
as disguised with the entire matter. hav-
ing. as they assert, not only received
no support from c. A. r men, who
should help, but that now that they are
meeting with the active opposition OF
the men who should be most interested
in the eneampment they feel Ike aban-
doning the entire project and washing
their hands OF It. The soliciting OF
frads in the departments was not in
tended to be compulsory All contTi-
buttons were TO have been voluntary
The plans contemplated the placing OF
subscription sheets at such places as
would come TO the notice Of the clerks.
and. It was believed, that as much would
be realized from those not interested in
the G. a. R as from the members and
friends OF the organization.
General HawIey's Contribution
In marked contrast to the situation
Just described was a beautiful letter re-
ceived at headquarters this morning
from Senator HawIey, OF Connecticut
wishing the committee success in making
the encampment the greatest one that
has ever been held by the G. a. R. ard
enclosing his check for a liberal amount.
With the departure OF Mr- Frank h
Raymond. chairman Of the finance com
lnittee CT the citizens encampment
committee. for san Francisco tomorrow
with the mobiles Of Almas Temple TO al
tend the concIave there. the work Of the
committee Will be left in charge OF Vice
Chairman BurkarJ.
Interest had been developed in the
campaign for the purpose Of bringing
the subscriptions up TO the required
$4,000 mark. and little doubt was en-
1ertained that the amount could be
raised If those who had not subscribed