New-York tribune., 1907-09-13

lam OF the public schools. Surgeon General John
son recommended that the establishment by the
government of hospitals for insane veterans be
hastened.
At the sound of a buge blown by Benjamin F.
Simonds. Of Troy, n. Y. who sounded the alarm
when the Merrimac first sighted At Newport
News the annual campfire called to order this
evening. The speakers included Harlan J. Swift,
of Rochester. department commander of New York
State: General Louis Wagner. of Philadelphia. past
commander in chief: General John c. Black of
Washington, past commander in chief, and Bishop
Samuel Fauows. OF Chicago. the newly elected
chaplain in chief
The Women.s Relief Corrs to-day elected Mrs
Kate F. Jones OF New York City. national pres-
dent. Tie Ladies Of the Grand Army of the Re
public elected their national presiding officer
Mrs Clara L. Sawyer OF South Portland. Ne.
ADJUTANr GENERALS REPORT.
The report of Adjutant General Joseph W.
OHeall. showed that the membership OF the Grand
Army of the Republic June 80. 1906. was 222-
74S based on returns from all except eight states
Georgia. Idaho, Indian Territory, New Mexico ana
North Dakota-from which returns have been
received The high water mark OF members in the
army was reached in 1880 when 4O9.4S9 were en-
rolled Since that time death has rapidly depleted
} the ranks of the aged veterans, ana General
O'Nealrs report showed that 9,o52 members died II
the last twelve months The report showed tAAt
5os old soldiers Joined the Grand Army Of the
PenrbI,c during the year The total number Of
posts in the army is now 1916 General o'Neahs
report said that Ss5c14 had been expended for re
lie: during the year.
General O'NeaI strongly recommended that the
Grand Army OF the Republic establish permanent
headquarters instead of changing its home office
each year. as is now the practice He says:
In my humble Judgment. the time has come and
now IS when permanent headquarters should be eS-
tablished I can see no reason why our headquaT-
+ers should from year year be carted around
over the country. ncurrlng freight bills and dam
aging what little furniture We have. ana without
any con1uer ting results. know OF no other So
cierv or organization that constantly changes Us
home Office and I think Of no good reason wty
we should. Another great mistake is the annual
change Of the adjutant general care not now
conetent nor how wide the acquaintance OF the aP-
no,ntee he comes into the Office wholly unacquan-
with his correspondents the heads Of tho depart
ruents and learn what TO expect and from whorn
10 expect il This requires times and by the tinle
he learns these things he must 20 out OF once ana
some other comrade take UP the work de novo-
The Grand Army OF the Republic should be con
tiuuing and constantly changing institution
And what 7 say Of the adiUtaut general Is also
true OF assistant adjutant general Get good
man, and competent. and keep him Such IS tle
he our practice T. therefore. IN the interest OF
economy and I firmly believe In the best inter
est Of our beloved organization, most earnestly
recommend that definite action be taken BY
this cncarpTert either BY the establishment now OF
permanent headquarters or by tho appointment or
q committee authorized to act and required 10 make
It's report the next national encampment