The National tribune., 1905-10-12
SPANISH WAR VETERANS.

Notes Concerning the Order-President
Roosevelt IN Active Member-The Next
| Encampment.
| The Council of Administration of the
| United Spanish War Veterans at its
First Session will be called upon to fix
a day in October, 1906, upon which the
next Annual Encampment will be held
| at Washington, d. c. The date was
| left open to suit the convenience of
| President Roosevelt. who is an active
member of the organization. Capt.
William E. English, of Indianapolis,
| Ind, who will continue in office as
Commander-in-Chief until Jan. 1, next,
when he will be succeeded by Maj.
Charles r. Miller, of Cleveland, O., will
| communicate with the President upon
| his return from oyster Bay and invite
him to attend the Encampment, at the
same time requesting him to indicate
a day in October that will be conven-
| lent for him to be present.
In connection with the coming En-
campment the story is being told as to
how Col. Roosevelt became an active
| member OF the organization of Spanish
| War Veterans. When first asked to
connect himself with the Association. it
| is said, he declined to do SO until all the
National organizations of soldiers of the
grand body.
| At that time there were three bodies
known as the Spanish War Veterans
| the Spanish-American War Veterans
and the Service Men of the Spanish
War. Steps were taken to bring about
the amalgamation of the three. The
| negotiations hung fire for a long time
Until Col. Harold S. Megrew, OF Indian
apolis, Commander of the Spanish War
Veterans; Capt. William E. English,
also of indianapolis. Commander of the
Spanish American War Veterans, and
Cen. Moulton, of Chicago, Commander
of the Service Men, finally got together
at what is known as "the indianapolis
Conference"
1t was a case of give and take" on
all sides OF the triangular session of the
Commanders, the principal purpose be-
ing to bring about the union Of the
three associations lat all hazards" as
Col. Megrew expressed it.
The combination was finally ar
ranged, and from it was born the pres
ent National body-the United Spanish
War Veterans. BY the terms of the
amalgaInation agreement Col. Harold
S. Megrew became it's first Commander
in-Chief. Remembering the intimation
of President Roosevelt that he might
Join the Association after the union of
the Associations had been effected, Maj
Megrew came to Washington. He called
with the result that Col. Roosevelt gave
his consent to become an active MEM
Der of the organization. The muster
ing-in ceremony was performed by
Commander-in-Chief Megrew in the
Presidents office, and at it's conclusion
he placed on the lapel of the coat of the
| distinguished recruit" as new men,
| bers are termed, a bronze cross Of the
| Spanish War Veterans and one of the
distinctive badges OF the Order. Thus
| President Roosevelt became an active
member Of the soldier organization.
The Department Of the District of
Columbia, Spanish War Veterans, is al
ready making advance arrangements
for the Annual Encampment to be held
| in Washington next year a commit
tee has been appointed, with Col. NJ.
Emmett Urell as Chairman, to prepare
thousands of pictorial calendars, giving
instructions and details of the coming
convention. Copies Of the calendars
will be sent to all the Camps in this
country and those in Hawaii and the
Philippines.
Col. Ureu is Past COMMANDMENTS
Chief Of the Spanish War Veterans. He
is also Past Commander of the Depart
ment oe the Potomac GAR, and is a
civil war MeGal-of-Honor man.
| The National Committee on Legisla-
4 w
ans, of which Capt. l.. +. Kirk of San
Francisco, is Chairman, and Capt j.
| Walter Mitchell, OF Washington, ID. c.,
| is Secretary, is already receiving COM
munications concerning prospective leg
islation from all parts Of the country.
A recent communication came from the
Commandments Chief-e Maj. Charles
X. Miller, of Cleveland, o., inclosing a
bill for introduction to Congress which
was prepared by j. A. Driscoll, of
| Springfield, Mass. 1t provides for the
retirement of enlisted men of the Army,
and requires the Government "here-
after in computing the required period
Of service for the retirement of enlisted
men of the Army that all service dur
ing the War with Spain shall be counted
double"
Steps are being taken to form new
Camp of Spanish War Veterans at
charleston. S. &. 1t is said several new
lCamps will be organized I'm the South
Al.