The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-02-22


The Woman's Relief Corps.
The Convention of the Department
of Potomac, w. r. c., was one of the
most harmonious in the history of the
orga nization, and was presided over by
Mrs. Ida ]. Hart, Department Presi-
dent. The Convention extended
through three evenings Many distin-
guished visitors were entertained,
among them Gen. Baldwin, of the
Regular Army, and Mrs. Ida A. Old
royd, Past National Junior Vice Presi-
dent, and greetings were presented by
Past Commander b. F. Bingham, for
the Department of Potomac, G. A. r.
Department Commander Tasker and
staff and many other prominent Grand
Army men were guests of the w. r. c.
during the Convention. The address of
the Department President showed an
entirely healthy condition of the De-
partment and utmost harmony pre-
vailing
The report of the Delegate-at-Large
Mrs. Isabel WorrelI Ball, which was
detailed picture Of the trip to Denver
and return. with all the incidents and
accidents of that memorable Encamp-
ment. was received with much entfus-
iasm and rising vote of thanks, the
Department President declaring that
she felt as though she was back in
Denver again. Mrs. Ball thanked the
Convention for its interest and de-
clared that she felt the vote OF thanks
should come from her to the ladies for
submitting to listen 50 quietly to SO long
a report Mrs. Ball has served the De-
partment of Potomac three terms as
Defegate-at-Large, and was elected to
serve a fourth term.
Another report of paramount inter-
est to the wife of every enlisted man in
the war of rebellion was that Of Mrs
Annie w. Johnson, Past Department
President. Chairman of the Committee
OH Legislation. Mrs. Johnson's chief
duty was to look after bill which pro-
vides for the burial in the grave with
her husband in any National Cemetery
Of the wife Of any enlisted man who
may be buried there. This bill was
first introduced in Congress on request
of Lincoln Post, Department of the
Potomac, in 1901. and has been pressed
every session since. 1t was much OBJ
jected to at first, but finally passed the
House at the last session of Congress-
1t died in the Senate, however. Mrs.
Johnson stated that it had been REIN
troduced. and is now in the hands of
the Committee on Military Affairs, of
which Representative Hull, Of Iowa, is
Chairman, and has an excellent chance
Of passing the House this session. She
thinks that it will eventually become a
law. The report of the Treasurer, Mrs.
Beach. showed the finances Of the De-
partment to be in splendid condition,
nearly $500 in the bank, a larger sum
than ever before. and no liabilities. The
Department Secretary, Mrs. Emma G.
Littlejohn, showed that four of the
Department Journals had been printed
under Mrs. Harris administration, and
efforts made to restore muti1ated and
fS>.fy, ord
President. Mrs. Marian B. Parker, re-
ported nearly 100 places secured for
deserving members of veterans families
during the year.
Relief work done by the Department
of Potomac as shown by the report of
Junior Vice President, Mrs. Fannie E.
Worden, amounted to about $4,000.
resolution was adopted for pre-
sentation to National Convention that
Is of particular interest to every Corps
in the organization. 1t was presented
by Mrs. Annie w. Johnson, and pro-
vides that member dropped from u
Corps for non-payment of dues, if re-
fused reinstatement in her own Corps.
may after one year make application
for membership in any other Corps.
making full statement of conditions,
and il acceptable to that Corps be ad-
mitted as a new member, but may not
become a charter member of a new
sary because members sometimes care
lessly let themselves become dropped
members. and then when they desire
reinstatement are kept out by black
balls Of members who maliciously de-
sire that they shall not be readmitted.
This often works great wrong.
The election of officers, which was
largely done by the Secretary casting
the vote, resulted as follows:
President, Mrs. Vina M. Calhoun; S.
". P, Julia Roberts: j. V. P, Julia
West Hamilton; Treas, Gertrude Nor
gan: Chaplain, Marian M. Lewis: Ex-
ecutive Board, Mamie G. Davis CHAIR
mani, Mary V. Noerr. Hester N. Wy
man. Mrs. Cooley and Mrs. Cromwell;
Delegate Isabel w. Ball;
Delegate, Jennie r. Cusick: AL
ternate-at-Large. Mary V. Goundie:
Alternate to Delegate, Matte E. Me-
Clure. The officers appointed by the
President upon her assuming office
were: Secretary. Sue M. Carey: Coun-
selor, Anna S. Hamilton: Inspector,
Eliza p. Watson; Installing officer.
Agnes L. Keeler: Patriotic Instructor,
Olive A. Raymond; Press Correspond
ent Mary 8. Kicker: Chief Of Staff, Mrs.
A. F.. Feathers.
The installation of Department off,
GERS took place on Saturday evening in
a beautifully decorated hall. with a
large attendance. Past Department
Commander Slaybaugh acted as Mus
tering Officer for the Department of |
Potomac, G.. A. R., and Mrs b. r.
Chase. Past Department President. for |
the Department Of Potomac W. r. C.. |
Many beautiful flowers were presented
to the retiring and incoming officers
But the presentation Of the evening was
that made to the retiring President, |
Mrs. Ida ]. Hart Mrs. Helen E. |
STONE. her Chief Of Staff. presented to |
Mrs Hart on behalf OF her officers, |
Aids and members Of the Department, !