Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-17
Famous Executive Order "No. 10" is
Discussed by Old Soldiers-Com-
missioner Ware Commended.
Special From a Stan Correspondent.


way. completely blocking the route at
times. Many hundreds We're overcome by
the heat and the crush. and the COM
ments upon the arrangement and upon
Boston in general for encampment pur-
poses are none too f1attering.
Today, however, has brought decided
chtng5 for the better. The circus crowds
along the streets have diminished. and the
veterans are receiving the consideration
and enjoying the comfort that should be
theirs. Their uniforms and badges and
medals are everywhere in evidence. There
are about 15,UOD visiting Grand Army men
here, and about 300, 900 outsiders on pleas
ure bent.
The encampment proper opened at 10
o'clock this morning in Symphony Hall. The
District delegation did rot arrive In a body;
the score of members drifting III Singly and
in pairs. Interest in the election has sub
sided since it has become apparent that
General Blackmar of Massachusetts, IS to
be chosen communicative chief. General
Blackmar is very popular up here and the
effort will be made to have his election
unanimous.
The Department of the Potomac on first
ballot will vote for John r. King. United
States pension agent at Washington, as
stated in these dispatches yesterday.
Condemn Gillett Bill.
The interest of Washingtonians in the
convention is conferred largely in the propo-
SltiOH 10 condemn inc Illiett super diihoel-
ton bill, introduced at the last session Of
Congress and designed to throw out of
the civil service of the government all
persons seventy years of age or over after
June 80, 1907.
in the action of the veterans with regard
to a service pension law.
This Is the first time the Grand Army
has met in national assembly since the
famous executive order No. IS regarding
pensions went into effect.
There has been much conjecture as to
what position the Grand Army would take
in the matter and whether the veterans
would feel that President ROoSevelts or
der allowing pensions to persons on the
supposition that age implies disability I'M
der the act of June y, 1880, meets the
requirements of service pension law
The executive order created stir when 1t.
was issued and called forth the criticism OF
the democrats to the effect that the Presi
dent had usurped the powers of the legisla-
tive branch of the government.
The democrats claimed 1t was a play to
galleries. bid for the old soldier vote and
an attempt to do something by executive
authority which could not be done through
the regular channels of Congress,
In view of all this talk. politicians and
the public In general have felt a deep in
terest in the action Of the Grand Army,
which, last year strongly urged pas
port of the committee on pensions Will be
submitted to the encampment late this af-
ternoon or at the morning session tomor-
row. Judge Chas. G. Burton of Missouri is
chairman of the committee. He was seen
by the representative of The Star this
morning and outlined the main textures of
the report. Judge Burton will recite the
efforts of the G. A. r. committee TO have
a service pension law passed.
The committee met in Washington last
January, drew up its bill, and had it In
troduced in both the House and Senate.
No report came from the committees
however, and an adjournment was taken
without action.
1t is believed that the Presidents order.
issued through Commissioner Ware, had
much to do in the loss of interest by Con-
gress In the G. A. r. bills.
The pension committee will cite the pro-
visions of order No. IS and will state that
as 1.-The establishment of a rule Of evil
dence," the order Is to be most heartily
commended
But the committee will state that the Or
der does not meet the requirements of the
situation or the equities of the case, and
will recommend to the encampment that
the efforts for a service pension law be re-
doubled this winter and prosecuted the
same as though order No. IS had not been
issued.
Sure Of Adoption.
This report Is practically sure of adoption,
and 1t may be stated that the G. A. r. will
reiterate the necessity of a lawful enact
nent for a service pension on the basis Of
sl2 month for every veteran over
sixty-two years of age who served
ninety days. and for the widows of veterans
who served ninety days and who were mar
ried prior to the year 1890.
strong effort was made to have the
committee remove the age limit and the
restriction to the date of marriage ap-
plying to the widows.
THa ,vv,itf na fatf hat fnx-
able action could more easily be secured
by adhering to the original proposition.
1t is estimated by Judge Burton that the
service pension law proposed would cost
the government s25.0O0.OO0 the first year
and less every year following owing to
the heavy mortality among the veterans
over sixty-two years of age.
The pension committee Will take occasion
| TO pay a high compliment to the commits
soner of pensions. Eugene F. Ware. saying
| the veterans and the country as a whole
| are to be congratulated upon his capable
| and efficient administration of affairs.
Commissioner Ware. by the way Is in
| the city. and yesterday marched over the
| entire route OF the parade with the De-
partment of Iowa. Mr.. Ware is resi-
| dent of Kansas and that department was
| largely represented in line 1t was in the
| LIST Iowa. however. that he received his
| baptism of fire. The fiercely fought baltic
of Wilson's creek was the scene OF his jni-
dation a real soldier. Mr. Ware served
subsequently as a captain In the 7th Iowa
| Cavalry and after the close of the war lie
| remained in the service for year to take
part In the campaigns against the Indians.
His service was brilliant throughout
| Commissioner Ware In Line.
Commissioner Ware yesterday marched
| with Gen. Granville NJ Dodge. who re-
| ceived remarkable ovation from COM
| rades in the line This is not to be
| wonde red at when 1t is realized that Dodge,
| Howard. Schofield and Sickles are the only
| surviving corps commanders OF the war.
| There are others living who were In tenn
porary command Of corps such as Ostsr-
| faus ard Schurz. but only four OF the real
| commanders are with the veterans.
Gen. Dodge went to war as colonel OF the
| 4th Iowa. and he. too. saw Wilson's creek
and all it's horrors Of killed and wounded.
Speaking Of the parade here it may be
stated 1t did not compare in grandeur with
| that In Washington two years ago. The
veterans may generally be heard In com
| ment on this fact. and many of them wish
they could march the smooth broad thor-
oughfares Of the capital city every year.
| Adit. Gen. Stewart estimates there ere
1900 In line. as against $4,000 or 4O.OW in
| Continued on Seventh Page)