Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-05-09
FLOWERS WILL
Be SCARCE

The veterans of Goodrich post. No.
%, G.. A. r. are busy endeavoring to
get things in readiness for Memorial
day, which is only u matter of three
weeks distant.
The county commissioners on She
strength of the new law, which auth-
orizes them to make contribution to
G. A. R. posts for the purpose of as
sisting to bear the expense of Memor
ial day, have decided to contribute
! fifty dollars to Goodrich post for that
purpose.
The veterans have not been able to
perfect a program fully, but rather
up to the present have been occupied
with obtaining estimates in an effort
to arrange demonstration on a basis
that will conform with the modest ap-
preparation made and other limited
means that may be at their disposal.
1t has been determined, however, that
while there will be band employed
along with other music, che time hon
ored march to the cemetery will be
abandoned or much modified The
marching days of the veterans are over
aud this year for the first time the en-
tire post will ride to the cemetery in
the trolley cars. A special rate of
four cents has been made for the vet
erans and the cost OF transportation to
the cemetery and back will be paid
out of the appropriation from the
county
The post commander yesterday stat
ed that the veterans foresee great
scarcity of flowers for Memorial day,
owing to the general backwardness of
spring. Other seasons at this date
flowers were already beginning to
make their appearance in profusion.
1t has been learned that in view of the
general scarcity many persons are al
ready leaving their orders with the
local florists for Memorial day.
Remembering the feeble response
from the public that followed their APP
peal for flowers last year and previous
ly the veterans have about decided to
expend whatever small amount of
money may be available in the mr.
chase of flowers, with which to decor
ate the graves of thsir comrades.
The discovery, however. that flowers
are engaged in advance has led the
members to fear that they will find the
florists slim source to draw from.
or, at least, that the prices will be so
high that the limited means of the
post will not reach very far.
The wholesale decoration of graves
on May 30 Is, indeed, beautiful Gus.
tom. At the same time the fact should
not be lost sight of that Memorial day
was instituted for the express purpose
of decorating with flowers the graves
of Union soldiers and sailors who
fought in the civil war. That the day
should take on new meaning and
embrace in the scope of graves decor
ated practically all that lie in the
cemetery is probably not TO be deplor-
ed. AT the same time, care should be
taken that the day be not diverted
from its real purpose to the extent
that no flowers, or none but the leav-
ings or those purchased at high price
be left with which to decorate the |
soldiers graves.
The great mass of American people |
are generous and patriotic. If through |
any thoughtlessness or in advertence |
the veterans have been deprived of
flowers in the past it does not follow
that the same will occur again this
season. 1t is certainly to be hoped
that some means may be provided for
furnishing all the flowers that may be
needed for decorating the soldiers
graves without inflicting any hardship
upon the post.