Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16
MEMORIAL DAY PLANS
ROOSEVELT CLUB AND ARMY AND
NAVY UNION UNITE.

Considerable indignation at the action of
the Memorial committee in the District in
refusing to give them representation on the
arrangements committees for the Memorial
day program cropped out last night at
meeting of the Roosevelt Club of Spanish
war soldiers, sailors and marines, held in
it's rooms in the Pythian Temple. The
meeting was called to consider plans for
joining with the Army and Navy Union In
Washington in an Independent celebration
on the coming Decoration day. Plans We're
also considered for the first annual ball, to
be given in Pythan Temple.
Gen. Tasker, commander of the G. A. r.,
was especially referred to as being respon-
sible for the refusal to recognize the club
and the members present last night made
some strong statements. Mr.. William D.
Hickey, one of the originators of the move
ment for organization and the present Sec
rotary, said:
when this club was formed, early In
January, 1t was proposed to get into it all
the honorably discharged soldiers, sailors
and marines that served in the Spanish
war who now live in the vicinity of Wash
ington. 1t must be distinctly understood
that we are not fighting the Spanish War
Veterans Association. We have taken a
definite aim in the movement and intend to
follow closely to it. The club was named
dent. He is a veteran of the Spanish war,
an honorably discharged soldier from that
war, and the soldiers friend; and SO we
decided to give that name to our organi-
cation.
TT is not a political organization; such
an object was never considered by its
founders or members, and it includes men
of every political faith.
I'm giving this reason for refusing TO
recognize us, Gen. Tasker was under wrong
impression entirely. We now have 3l5
names on the rolls, and in year, if our
enthusiasm is maintained we will have
twice that number. We want all the hon.
orably discharged soldiers of the late war
that we can get. We have the backing of
the government officials. The President has
written us thanking us for the honor or
using his name for our club. The Vice
President received us in mis- home and said
he wanted to be one of US Our communi-
cations to government officials have always
received prompt attention.
Decides to Affiliate.
The most important action taken at last
nights business meeting of the club was to
decide to affiliate with the Army and Navy
Union. This is the first of Spanish War
Veterans organizations TO join with this
union. 1t is regarded as significant move
on the part of the Roosevelt Club to join
and on the part of the Army and Navy
Union to receive the Spanish war soldiers.
Michael J. Hackett, inspector general of
the Army and Navy Union, present at
the meeting last night and spoke regarding
the aims of that organization. He stated
that the Army and Navy Union was form
ed to get together all honoraby discharged
soldiers Of the United States, whether reg
ulars OF volunteers no matter where they
served. 1t is open to soldiers of the war of
the rebellion and to those of the Spanish
American war as well as to the men who
did not go to war.
AS the organization grows In numbers, he
said 1t grows in strength and is better able
to carry out it's objects. In affiliating with
this union the members of the Roosevelt
Club feel that they will secure the help and
backing of a we'll and strongly organized
body, which is striving for the same objects
as they.
ing and William A. Hickey, as stated. acted
as secretary. A letter was received from
H. H. Henry of Weehawken, n. j., national
commander of the Army and Navy Union,
welcoming the club to membership. 1t was
also planned to change the name of the
club to the Colonel Roosevelt Club, to make
it distinctly military.
The Roosevelt Club has decided to give
a bail in Pythian Temple in the early flu
ture. The arrangement committee is COM
posed of Harry ]. Koehler, A. F. Baumbaur.
F. c. Longstreet, o. H. Lake and j. j.
Gordon. The committee on decorations is
composed of j. J. Gordon, Martin Pen
nella, Harry Koehler, Robert koehler and
Edward O'Connor.
A committee was appointed to represent
the club at the meeting of the committee
from the Army and Navy Union of the
District, to be held at the home of Inspec-
tor General Hackett No. Warder avenue
northwest, tomorrow, to arrange for a me-
mortal day celebration. The committee is
composed of William A. Hickey. NJ. Pen
nelo, Ernest Boles. Robert Koehler, G. A.
Anderson, and G. c. Cole. The plan con-
ploto do nd nhratf i,,an
pendent of the G. A. r. program.