Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-06-19
WARM GREETINGS
FOR OLD VETERANS
RACINE OUTDOES RIVAL CITIES IN
ENTERTAINING HONORED
FIGHTERS.
MANY SOLDIERS PRESENT.
Eau Claire, Green Bay and Superior in
Contest for Next Years
State Convention.
COE MAY BE NEW COMMANDER.

RACINE, Wis, June 16-[ Special. i
The forty-second annual department en-
campmert of Wisconsin opened this
morning in the opera house with large
attendance Commander-in-Ch Chief Charles
H. Burton of Kansas City, Mo-, was
present, having arrived in the city last
night. He is to be one Of the speakers
at the campfire this evening.
The city is magniticently decorated III
honor of the visitors, who received wei
come that has never been Outdone IN any
encampment city in past years. Every
thing appears to have been thought OF
that could conduce to the comfort ana
pleasure of the guests. The encampment
met here twelve years ago.
Eau Claire in Order.
At that encampment twelve years ago
it was voted to go to Eau Claire the
next year and that vote is likely to be
duplicated tomorrow. Eau Claire has sent
a cordia invitation to the encampment
to hold it's next annual session in that
city, and it is favorably regarded. Su-
perior also wants the encampment, but
it was held in that city only eight years
ago. Green Bay also wants the encamp-
ment again and the representatives from
that part of the department are argu-
ing her claim.
NO DuSlnGSS 41duSdClGU.
There was no business done today
except the presentation of the annual
reports of the department officers. The
department appears to be in good condi-
ton, financially as well as otherwise.
The national president of the WOm-
ans Relief corps, Mrs. Jones of 1lion,
n. Y, was present yesterday, and de-
livered an address at the presentation of
a flag to the high school by the, depart
in, of a
city last night.
Wednesday evening, after the close OF
the encampment, the department officers
and representatives to the encampment
will be entertained at KenOsha by u. q.
Simmons, who has spend great deal OF
money to aid the cause of the veterans.
One of his benefactions has been mag
nihcent soldiers monument for kenosha,
one of the finest i'll the country.
Coe Is Strong.
The enthusiasm for E. D. Coe of
Whitewater for department commander
seems to be growing fast and it is pre-
dicted that he will be an easy winner.
His popularity with the Grand Army is
unquestioned and his ability and inter-
est in the work of the order are strong
elements in his favor. He is not making
personal contest for the election, be-
lieving that such an honor should come
unsought, but he will accept if he is
elected.
One question that is likely to come up
in the encampment is that of the recent
attempt in Congress to abolish the eight
cen pension agencies of the country and
have all the business of the pension bu
reau transacted from Washington. The
House passed the bill but the Senate re-
jected it. However, to express the voice
of the Grand Army of the Republic as
to what should be done in the case,
resolutions are being introduced in the
various department encampments as they
are held, and the resolutions adopted are
being sent to President Roosevelt.
Oppose Abolishing Agencies.
Leading members of the Grand Army
all over the country are strongly opposed
to the r.aessition to abolish the separate
pension agencies, as they say that it will
inevitably result in delay in paying the
pensions Under the present system the
agencies are divided into three classes.
Each makes its payments quarterly, but
the quarters are arranged so that sub
stantially one-twelfth of the $40, 100000
is withdrawn from the national treasury
each month instead of having it come in