The Washington herald., 1906-10-09

With hurrahs for President Roosevelt,
their comrade." the delegates to the
third annual encampment OF the Spanish
American War Veterans began their ses-
sion yesterday in the Drill Hall Of the
District National Guard
The names OF Mckinley and 'Roose-
velt' were magic words to The delegates
when mentioned, and the many ladies
present, members Of the Auxiliary, Joined
IN the cheers and applause that the veter-
ans gave.
The armory drill room. in which the
business sessions are held, has been
handsomely decorated with flags and
bunting for the occasion, and the large
room presented an attractive sight TO
the LOCO delegates and hundreds Of visI-
tors who attended the opening session.
On the stage were Past Commanders-in
Chief n Emmett UreH, William z. e.
giish and Harold S Megrew. Preser
Commander-in-Chief Charles r. Miller,
National Chaplain a. II. l. Reaney. af-
fectionateiy known as Father" Reaney,
from Maine 10 California, Major F. S.
Hodgson and Isabelle Alexander, Past
President-General Of the National Ladies
auxiliary, Mrs. Mary E. Gedney. who now
fills that Office. Mrs Ida NJ Galloway.
president of the District CT Columbia
Auxiliary. Commissioner Macfarland. and
Mrs. VI. Mcconnell
The meeting was called 10 order By Col.
Cren; he introduced Chaplain Reaney,
who pronounced a most impressive invo-
cation, and was followed by Commission
eT Macfarland. who welcomed the visit
ing comrades and ladies to the city OF
Washington. His address was short but
interesting and intensely patriotic. and
was frequently interrupted by applause
and soldier yells, especially ~ mention
OF the names of Mckinley and Roosevelt.
Commander Miller Responds
COmmander-in-Chief Miller responded in
kind and was also greeted with cheers.
He thanked the comrades for the support
and confidence given his administratl ton,
and Of the growth of the organization a
1T IS impossible at this time to rsz ~
the fun membership Of the Organizations
for the reason that many Of the camps
are delinquent in furnishing TO national
headquarters their semi-annUal reports.
These camps reporting. however, show
a gain of over 30 per cent in membership
during the first six months Of the year,
and II the same ratio Of gain prevails in
all camps during the last half Of the year.
our membership. based on the report OF
Adjutant General Hutson, should approx
innate 5000 Our growth has been more
rapid than that Of the Grand Army OF
the Republic during the corresponding
years OF its history, which fact indicates
that our future is now assured"
Thanks the President.
He also spoke Of a visit to Washing
ton where he attended a banquet in his i,
honor, and where arrangements were
made with President Roosevelt for the
date of the national encampment now.
being held.
AT this interview" he continued. the
President kindly volunteered his assist
ance in the matter Of the absorption Of
the Legion of the Spanish War Veterans
Of Massachusetts by cur organization,
and / wish 10 acknowledge in this public
way the value of his services. and to
say that the favorable result of the nego-
tiations was largely due to his interven-
tion in. and love Of, the organization.
Approves AmaIgamatiOn.
LAS a result of my visit to New York,
and conference with Commander Walker,
of the Legion Of Spanish War Veterans
of Massachusetts, a tentative agreement
was entered into, which will be submit
ted to you for your approval. with the
request that you authorize me to exc
cute the same in your behalf To many
of the members a statement of the his
tory Of the Legion Of Spanish War Vet
Grams would be without purpose. for Ii is
already within their knowledge, but 10
make the situation entirely clear to all.
permit me to say that the Legion OF
Spanish War Veterans of Massachusetts
is an organization similar TO ours, CON-
posed of some twenty or more camps.
in the States OF Massachusetts and New
Hampshire, and having an enrolled men,
bership of about 45O0. Il is needless 10
say that the addition Of this organization
would add very materially, not only to
our numbers, but it would bring to our
many of the best citizensgof
who served their country
during the Spanish war. I earnestly Sec
ommend the approval Of this contract
and shall regard the eonsummatiOn Of
this amalgamatiOn as the one bright spot
in my administration
To Segregate CoIored Troops.
In regard to colored veterans Of the
Spanish War, the cOmmander-in-chief
the formation Of separate
He also advocated the es-
Of permanent headquarters
for the adjUtant general, and at the
afternoon session a resolution, providing
for such headquarters. 10 be located in
the city OF Washington, was introduced
by Past Department Commander Hilton.
Of New Jersey. and referred 10 the COM
mittee on rules and regulations.
Wants Second Reserve Corps.
The commander-in-chief evoked a round
Of applause when he further recommend
ed. in his address, that an army corps
be formed of the United Spanish War
Veterans. to be held as a second reserve.
ready for active service in case OF need
He showed the National Department 10
be in excellent financial condition.
statement which was borne out in the
afternoon session by the report Of Ad-
jutant General Charles F, Sherwood
Mrs Alexander greeted the encamp-
ment as the largest yet held in the his
tory Of the order. She was given three
rousing cheers by her boys as she
advanced to the front Of the platform
Past Department Commander Hodgson.
chairman Of the encampment committee,