New-York tribune., 1908-08-31
READY FOR VETERANS
Toledo Throus Open Its Homes to
G.. n. II. Visitors.

Toledo, Aug. So-A skrmish line of veterans
entered Toledo to-day. surveyed the profusely dec
GRATED streets noted the welcome, G. A. r.,
signs on almost every house and building scanned
tho programme OF campfires parades. music and
spectacles arranged for the forty-second national
encampment OF the Grand Army OF the Republic,
and had no questions for the multifarous man with
tho Ask me" badge They were satisfied
The encampment veterans declare. will so down
III history with a laudatory chapter devoted to
comrpittee which abandoned the traditional tents
and domiced the old soldiers under real roofs and
real beds. The veterans in Toledo tonight ran
risk OF colds and rheumatism from sleeping on
straw strewn ground or from dew soaked canvas
There something In the tents OF former re-
unions which appealed to the imagination OF the
veterans and stirred their memories OF war days,
but many OF them paid for it with pneumonia and
rheumatism and they were unstnted In their praise
OF the present arrangement The appeal OF Mayor
Brand Whitlock and Chairman I. Kent Hamilton
that citizens throw their homes to care Tor the
visitors has met with q response that passed the
expectations OF the originators OF the pan In tho
majority OF cases homes were thrown open Hee OF
charge.
Apparently precaution making for the comfort
OF the visitors has been overlooked. An Information
corps in addition the Ask me- army has been
scattered about the city at strategic points and the
tents wherein they await nquirers bear, on signs
readable for blocks. the word lntormauoh.
Householders generally have agreed to keep their
porch and front window lights burning that tne
stranger may have the assistance OF hnonas lib
way at night
Not only the principal business streets eia"-
prateiy decorated, but the residence districts nave
followed suit and family parties on their front
porches tonight sat behind draperles OF Aiieii0"
flags and bunting.
with the exception of the California delegation
which arrived four hundred strong in a special
train this afternoon. arrivals to-day were mostiy
small parties from nearby towns coming in oy troi
ley There are eight interurban lines entering TINS
,;@x md dele from nearby points IN
Michigan Indiana and Ohio will avail themselves
OF this means Of travel Tomorrow great incur
sion OF veterans and their friends and famiiies IL
expected. No accurate forecast OF their numbers
can be made at this time but the local comnlt'ee
is prepared to care for from sevenfy-n'e 'hoosd"u
to twice that number
The Cslifornians headed by General Howard NJ
Merrel arrived at 44o o'clock. their train OF SIX
teen cars being in three sections including two cars
of fruit and California wines They were put up
at the various hotels and at private houses FRO
fessor George Young, the Grand Army OF the Re-
public Pension Commissioner for the Pacific Coast
was q member Of the party He took quarters al
the Boody House prepared 10 urge the justice OF
;ncrea sed nensons for survivors OF the Civil War
who have suffered lifelong injuries from incarcefa-
ton in Confederate prisona
An unusually strong representation fs expected
from the South, particularly from Georgia which
Is tho home Of the Junior vice-commander In
chief William NJ Scott Mr.. Scott has reserved
rooms at the Boody House. and Is expected 10
occupy them tomorrow
The campaign for the ONCE Of commander In
chief was in full swing tonight. three OF the
candidates-ex-Governorv Van Zant Of Minnesota
Livingston T Dickson. OF Illinois, ana Coionei
Henry NJ Nevius Of New Jersey-being on the
ground. Colonel Nevius is counting on soma
vot. from the East. because the present COM
mander in chief is Western man-Charles u.
Burton of Missouri
The Official programme Will begin tomorrow
night with a public reception Memorial Hail.
ard q spectacle, including manruvres by the
,aval militia on the river. The features TUESDAY
will be a civic parade and the dedication OF the
Fort Meiss monument On Wednesday,; the pig
5av of the encampment the veterans Will parade'
and on the following day officers Tor the iolloW-
ing wear Will be elected. Friday and saturday
III, he devoted to various forms OF entertain
ment in which the lake and river play proml-
uent part