The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-07
GAR. MEN ARE GOING
@ TOWARD SETTING sun
Washington Veterans Off
for Encampment.
LEAVE FOR FRISCO SUNDAY
General Miles an Unexpected Factor in
Election of New Commander
in-Chief.

in-Chief.
-- One hundred and thirty or more mem
bers OF the Department of the Potomac
G. \. r.. viii leave Washington Sunday
night. shortly after O'Clock TO 90 TO
San Francisco to participate in the
thirty-seventh annual encampment of
the Grand Army OF the Republic. which
begins on August i and concludes on
Saturday, August %. In view of the
fact that the ranks OF the local depart
ment OF the orgapization. as we'll as
those OF all the other branches, are
being thinned out every year, The rep
resentation Washington win have at the
gathering viii be more than the aver
age command whose membership in
cludes so many business men and hnan-
ciers.
Judge Ivory c. Kimball. of the Police
Court. commander of the Department OF
the Potomac viii have charge of the
veterans. He says there viii be six
! coaches to the train. which viii stop at
whatever places the veterans may
designate.
Good Time on the Trip.
The train leaves a week before the
encampment, and as 1t does not require
that long TO reach San Francisco. the
local veterans viii have time 10 visit a
number of places and do some sight
seeing.
The committee having charge OF the
arrangements for the trip procured the
lowest possible railroad rates and the
hest of hotel accommodations in San
Francisco for the veterans during the
week they will be there Everything
has been done for the comfort and en-
tertainment Of the $50 veterans. who
3 will doubtless derive as much pleasure
i from the trip as from the encampment.
2 Commander in Chief Stewart. OF Nor
ristown. Pa. viii have charge OF he
encampment this year, and the election
z of a commander in-ehief for the ensu-
ing twelve months will be held on
Thursday. August 20, or Friday. August
q. The election promises TO be spirited
and holly fought.
Three Men in the Field.
There are three candidates in the field
this year, as against two at almost all
previous ones. Each Of the three has
excellent chances Of winning. They are
General Black. of Illinois; General Buck
.es-. of Connecticut. and Ger Nelson A.
S.fiIes. OF Massachusetts,, who retires
from the army Saturday. and who has
suddenly sprung into prominence in the
- - IL ID
public.
The local department has virtually
pledged its support to General Black.
The East is almost solid for Buckley.
but yet Miles stock is booming. Gen
eral Black is a Westerner, has an excel
lent war record. and besides having the
West with him he also has the support
OF some OF the departments in the cen
trail and middle Atlantic States. He has
been conspicuous since General Stewart
was chosen last year. and II is generally
believed that he will lead General Buck
ley from the start.
Miles Stock Booming.
But General Miles will prove more Of
a barrier. it is said. than is now
realized. Even some Of the East and
4 West posts which have stuck b. the
others all this time have spoken IN the
highest terms Of General Miles. and say
there is much doubt as to who will be
chosen at the coming encampment.
Commander Kimball said this morn
ing:
General Black was the most favorable
candidate up to few days ago. Tho
Department OF the Potomac was strong
sor him, and things looked pretty good
for him. General Miles would make an
excellent commander, and the only ad-
verse feature about his candidacy is the
fact that he enters the field on she
home stretch and is somewhat hanJi-
capped. General Miles IS a splendid sol
der. and may get the commandership,
despite the late hour At which he comes
- 70 the front. We shall be glad 10 have
him at the encampment and many
az hers in altar wars