Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-06

rience and the present department inspec-
tor. was elected camp commander. and the
full complement Of officers were chosen for
the year 1907.
The meeting of the District Department
was called to order shortly after O clock
by Capt j. Walter Mitchell, depar tment
commander, who stated that one of the
special orders of business was to finally
close up the affairs of the committee that
had charge Of the late national encamp-
ment. Department Adjutant William Pea
cock read a number of communications
One Of them was from a blind soldier who
claims that he is unjustly confined in St.
Elizabeth Hospital for the Insane. This
matter was referred by Commander Nit
chell for investigation to committee, of
which Capt Henry C. Porter of the Dewey
Naval Camp is chairman
The resignation of Charles R. Doran of
the Dewey Naval Camp member of the
department council of administration was
accepted. 1t was stated that he has left the
United States to accept consular position
in France.
The matter of joining with the Depart
ment of the Potomac. G. A. R., and other
patriotic organizations in arranging for an
excursion to jamestown next year and par
ticipation in the Soldiers day ceremonies
at the exposition, was favorably acted
upon. committee to cooperate with the
G. A r. was appointed as follows: Capt.
William H. Mellach, chairman, and Capts.
Henry Foster and ]. Lyon King.
National Encampment
Maj. Fred S. Hodgson made an exhaustive
report covering the operations of the late
nationaf encampment committee. He COM
mended the several subcommittee and
their chairmen for their splendid efforts"
which he said had eliminated in the largest
and best encampment ever held by the
widespread organization of United Spanish
War Veterans
Capt. Lee M. Lpscomb treasurer Of the
encampment committee, made a final finan-
cial report and turned into the department
the residue of the encampment fund of
more than $500.
Capt G. E. Rausch, chairman of the COM
mittee which audited Capt. Lipscombs &C
counts complimented the late treasurer
on the completeness Of his work and the
accurate and comprehensive system with
which his books were kept.
Capt. Lipscomb and other members ex-
pressed the gratitude of the department to
Gen. George H Harres, Mr.. William F.
GUIDE and others of the citizens committee
who assisted in financing the encampment
Capt. Lpscomb said many Washington
business men to whom the Spanish War
Veterans were indebted for goods and serv-
ices at the time of the encampment had
written to him thanking and commencing
the organization for the promptness with
which 1t settled Its outstanding encamp-
ment liabilities.
Capt. ]. Lyon King and Capt. Isaac N.
Dolph made reports, and the national en-
campment committee by vote dis
charged with the thanks of the depart
ment.
A communication was read from Geo. H.
Brown, adjutant of George V. Farrell
Camp, No. 1, of Wilmington, Del, recently
formed, requesting that a detail of officers
of the District department be sent to that
city to muster in the new camp. Depart
ment Commander Mitchell detailed Depart
ment Adjutant Peacock. Department Quar-
termaster Thomas A. Green Department
Officer of the Day Geo. West Byron, Jo-
seph P. Ruppel, Commander Henry Foster
of Miles Camp and several others to pro-
coed to Wilmington and perform the cere-
monies of mastering in this evening. The
party will leave on a late train this after
noon.
The members of the department and all
the camps in the District were invited to
attend the meeting of the 4th Immune
Camp next Wednesday evening" when Mai
Chas. D. A. Loeffier of the White House
and several other recruits will be mus
tered in as members.
Restoration of Canteen
The members of the department. Endorsed
by unanimous vote the following resolutions,
and the officers present signed a petition
to Congress to the same effect:
Whereas the United Spanish War Vete-
rams desire to go on record as standing with
the practically unanimous regular army of
the United States in favor of the restora-
ton by Congress of the sale of beer and
light wines in the canteens of the army;
Whereas the military experience of the
Spanish War Veterans has clearly demon
strated that genuine temperance is eff
fectively promoted by the operations of
canteen where light drinks are sold under
proper restrictions, having seen and real
lied the evil effect of preventing a soldier
purchasing mild beverages within his own
post and forcing him. if he desires stimu-
liant. to procure it in surroundings de-
structive of physical and moral health
Therefore be it resolved. that the leg
islative committee of the United Spanish
War Veterans be instructed to present to
Congress at its opening session the oppo-
sition of this body to present legislation
dealing with drink in the army, and tina
the veterans put themselves on record as
believing that the regular army would be
improved in many ways if the men were
not deprived of what they regard as thei
personal liberty.
That because the officers of the regu-
lar army. almost without exception, favor
the return of the canteen. but are so sit
uated that they cannot work to that end,