The Washington herald., 1908-02-21
G. A. R. GREETS CHIEF
Four Hundred Veterans At
tend Banquet at Ebbitt.
COMMANDER BURTON SPEAKS
Head of Department of Potomac
Tells of History of Organization.
Senator McCumber, OF North DH-
kOta, Praises President Roosevelt.
Many Noted Guests Present.

More than 400 members Of the Depart
ment OF the Potomac. Grand Army Of the
Republic. assembled in the White Room
Of the Ebbftt House last night to partici-
pate in the reception and banquet in
honor OF COmmander-in-C Chief Charles G..
Burton.
in every respect the dinner was a Grand
Army affair. a Rally Round the Flag
affair. with toast to the President, anc
every one singing The Star-Spangle>.
Banner and other national airs.
Throughout the large hall the Stars and
Stripes were conspjcuoUsly displayed, and
time and again they were loudly cheered
by the Boys in Blue as their COM
mander-in-chief called upon them.
Department Commander Newton Ferree
called the assemblage TO order. and after
a brief address of welcome 70 the guest
of honor. he designated George 9. Ross
as toastmaster. Seated next 10 the toast
master was Archbishop ireland, OF St.
Paul. Minn.
Others seated al the guest table were:
Senator William Warner. OF Missouri
Senator p. J. McCumber. OF North Da-
kota; John c. Black, chief OF the civil
service Representative Kittredge Has
kins. Of Vermont: Vespasian Warnet.
Commissioner Of Pensions: Representa-
tive J. A. Goulden, OF New York; r. =.
Bishop, OF Michigan; Representative ).
A. Hull. Representative Victor Murdock.
Of Kansas, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, John
Walker, ". F. Andrews. Fourth Assist
ant Auditor Of the Treasury; ex-Com-
mander-in-Chief S. 5. Burdett. Gen. +.
W. Whitaker. Henry T. Brian. Deputy
Puplic Printer. W. W. Ludlow. OF the
Treasury Department; John r. King,
Frank l.. Campbell. Oscar J. Rickett.
and r. b. Brown, past commander-in-
chief OF the C A. r.
The first toast Mr.. Ross proposed was
20 the President Of the United States.
Senator McCumber responded with "A
lengthy address. lauding the Chief Ex-
ecutive.
The Senator from North Dakota said
that Roosevelt. like Lincoln. had meas
ured up to all conditions as he found
them.
The next speaker was Commander I'm
Chief Burton. he spoke on the rand
Army of the Republic" Several times he
was interrupted by the cheers Of his com
rades.
beStrioeS tuutnE OF BODY.
The speaker delivered an eloquent dis
course, describing the founding Of the
organization and telling Of its history.
Senator William Warner next addressed
the gathering. and in stirring tones said
the day was not far distant when the
widows and orphans would be properly
cared for by this country
He was followed by en-. J Warren
Keifer, who. Ia a brief manner. told OF
the solder as a citizen.
Archbishop Ireland responded with a
short speech. lauding the spirit OF the
J. A r and its patriotism. Ma, the
day never come" said the prelate, when
Americans will not recognize the old SOL
diers and initiate their patriotism"
Others who made addresses were Repre-
sentative Coulden and Past Commander
in-Chief r. B. Brown.
During the dinner, a delegation from
the Daughters Of Veterans marched "a
the guest table and presented the guest
OF honor with a large bouquet Of roses.
Letters OF Regret.
Letters Of regret were read from Presi-
dent Roosevelt Vice President Fairbanks.
James r. Garfield, and James Tanner.
Those who had charge Of the arrange
ments were: George c. Ross, chairman:
Edward J. Sweet. Osborn r. Oldroyd. S
W. Boynes. George P. Davis. Thomas s.
jerks, John @. Maynard, a. A Maxim,
Samuel r. Stratton. L Z. Randolph, Bur
ton r. Ross. and Edward Webster.
The continuation Of the business ses-
sion Of the encampment, will be held at
the 6. 4. r. Hall this evening.