Evening star., 1902-02-07
$4,000 THE ES INNATE
THAT AMOUNT is WANTED FOR G. A.
r.. ENCAMPMENT.
Com mmissioners Will Extend Ohicial
Invitation When Sufficient Funds
Are Guaranteed.

The question as to whether the forth
coming encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic shall be held in Washington
seems to be mooted one, SO far as the
attitude of the business men of the city.
from whom must be expected funds for
necessary expenditures, is concerned. There
is unanimity of feeling that the veterans
of the Grand Army of the Republic will be
accorded a royal welcome and pleasant
time should they hold their annual gather
ing at the national capital, but there is no
Disgusting the fact that the financial condi-
tions are vastly different from those in
1852. when the encampnlent was held here.
Mr.. B: H. Warner said this afternoon
that he had not yet formally accepted the
craftsmanship of the business mems COM
mittee, although he appreciated the honor
highly. He said that he had met with a
number of gentlemen who were interested
and in favor of the project, and they all
agreed that the expenditures for the proper
entertainment of the encampment could be
reduced to a very moderate amount.
When the Commissioner Will Act.
A VOTE Mr. Warner said, was passed at
the meeting of business men held few
days ago against providing free quarters.
In 1892 this was done by the people of
Washington and it involved an outlay of
upward of $1G00JO. The business men, he
said, We're also opposed to the free use of
the school buildings in connection with the
encampment. Mr.. Warner said it had been
deemed wise to have the sum of $4,000
guaranteed before any other work was en-
tered on.
President Macfarland of the board of Dis
trict Commissioners said today that the
question of the use of the school buildings
was something entirely outside the juris-
diction of the board.
1T is something over which We have no
control" he said. After the encampment
OF 1892 Congress passed a law forbidding
the of any public buildings in the Dis
trict of Columbia for any other than busi-
ress purposes
will the Commissioners extend an Off
Cial invitation desired by Commander
Israel w. Stone of the Department of the
Potomac?' Mr.. Macfarla nd was asked.
The Commissioners will be very glad to
extend an official invitation whenever a
func sufficient for the proper entertainment
Of the encampment is subscribed by the
business men or others of the District.
That is the position of the board l can
speak for the board as a whole that the
members are opposed to any appropriation
by Congress of District funds to be used for
entertainment of the members of the Grand
Army of the Republic, or any other organi-
zation. l believe the great bulk Of the peo-
pie of the District Of Columbia entertain a
similar attitude on the question"
The board of Trades Attitude.
The Board of Trade as an organization
has already explained it's position in a let
ter sent to Commander Stone under the
date of January q. The board in it's en-
tire history has never, as an organization,
assumed the responsibility Of guaranteeing
the entertainment expenses of any organi-
cation invited to come to Washington. In
the letter to Commander Stone the board
suggested that the matter be referred to
the Commissioners Of the District of CO.
lumbia, who are authorized to represent
the entire community.
The Business Mems Association began to-
day systematic canvass of the business
houses along Pennsylvania avenue in the
interest of swelling the entertainment fund,
which already amounts to 5000 Other
business thoroughfares will be taken in
turn.