Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-03

when he entered was escorted to his place
on the rostrum. the ceremony being ac-
companied by appropriate music.
The greatest enthusiasm during the even
ing was occasioned by the nomination of
Col Abram Hart for department COM
mander. Col. Hart is now the senior vice
comma nder. He is one Of the best known
and most esteemed members OF the G a.
r. in this city.
The mention of the name of President
Roosevelt as the best friend the veteran
has had in the White House caused an
other outburst of applause. This occurred
during the reading of the address of the
department commander.
Department Commanders Address.
The first business of the encampment was
the reading of the address of the depart
ment commander and the presentation Of
the reports of the other officers. Com
mander Kimball reviewed the work of the
year carefully. speaking of each subject OF
general and particular interest to the COM
rades of the q. A. r. He said. In part:
washington is city of monuments
erected to honor the nations heroes put
has none to the private soldiers.
IAN the heroes did not command bril-
gades corps or armies. All the heroes did
not wear shoulder straps; no company OF
regiment was without private soidiers VIM
were heroes, and 1t seems put just that
they he recognized by a fitting monument
to be erected In Washington by congress.
I therefore recommend that the 1ncomlns
administration and the department iesls-
latiye committee be directed to use every
means In their power to secure an appro-
priation for this purpose, and TO TINS emu
secure the cooperation or the commahoer-
in chief and the national committee on
legislation.
II earnestly urge the necessity for leg1s'
lation making it misdemeanor Tor any
one not member of the Grand Army OF
the Republic in good standing 10 Wear
either the G. A. r. button or badge. l
Frequently see young men and even boys
wearing them, and 1t is a common occur
renee to see on parade occasions those WI"
have lost their membership in the U. "A. II.
appear on the streets of Washington IN the
fujI uniform of the Grand Army with but
ton and badge. Such things belittie TIE
emblems which to the true comrade OF our
order mean so much. and ought not 70 PC
tolerated. / recommend. therefore, that tlo
incoming administrator sccoio 'e
sary legislation.
wherever 1 have gone l have received
the most hearty welcome from all omclals
and found them ready and anxious TO 90 al
tbev could for the yeterans-all were their
friends lit 49,
White House demonstrated that no better
friend Of the veteran ever occupied ING
White House than is President Roosevelt.
He has been ever ready to do all In MS
power for their benefit, and. in their name,
1 thank him. In this purpose he was most
ably assisted by his private secretary, Mr.
William Loeb, jr.. who took an active IN
terest in my work of securing preference
for veterans in appointments on the labor
rolls, and to him our thanks are also due.
'It Is impossible within the limits of this
report to name each Of the other officials
to whom we are indebted for favors re-
ceived. / should have to copy the blue
book emitting. of course. the civil service
commission, who opposed all l was trying
| he ~A-f1 tod
preference notwithstanding their adverse
report.
The Annual Reports.
The reports of the department officers
were of more than ordinary interest this
year. The recommendations made were all
business like and the officers argued ear
nestly for the adoption of the suggestions.
The first report read was that of the as
sistant adjutant general for the depart
ment, Col b. f. Chase. tabulated re-
port of the membership brought out the in
formation that there was a net loss of 81
members during the year. The exhibit
shows that at the last report the member
ship was 2.435; during the year the de-
partment gained, from various causes, 154
| members and lost 1S5. OF the losses 10o
| were caused by death The number of men,
| bers now in good standing is 2,4O4. In COM
| menting on the loss in membership. Col.
Chase says: II regret to report net loss
IN membership OF 81. GfIm Q6dtn mas DeoIl
busy among US, and l am sorry to note
| that the number of suspensions exceeds the
number of reinstatements by 2 Cannot
| this be bettered?
Post commanders and comrades are
urged to make one long determined effort
| to bring within our ranks all who are elig-
| ible to membership. We need them and they
need u.s.
Financial Condition.
The financial condition of the department
was told in the report of the assistant quar-
| termaster general, Col A. p. Tasker. Col.
| Tasker received $50 from the retiring quar-
| termaster at the time of his induction into
| Office, February IT last. The total receipts
| during the year amounted to M.727.70; the
| expenditures amounted to 81 ,622 40, leaving
a balance on hand of $105.21 The relief
fund during the year amounted to 500 90,
| Of which amount $64630 had been expended,
| leaving balance on hand of $284.33 The
| largest fund In the hands of the quarter
| master is the memorial fund. On his as
sumption of the duties OF his Office last
| February. Col. Tasker received $2.B05. II as
! the amount Of the memorial fund remaining