Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-11
VAN SAINT LEADS
IN BATTLE FOR
HEAD OF G. A. R.
ATLANTIC CITY ALSO IN LEAD
FOR NEXT CONVENTION
CoMMANDER-IN.ct'iEF MENUS
DELIVERS ADDRESS
Thunder and Lightning Startle Visit
ors to Big Annual Encampment
at Salt Lake on OPEN
ing Day
IBy Associated Press.I

[By Associated Press1
C ALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 10-sam-
uel Il. Van SAINT, commander-in-
~ chief: Atlantic city, the meeting
place in 1910. is the way the forecast
reads tonight in the contests for the
leadership and the forty-fourth en-
Campment of the q. A. r.
Nevertheless the friends of Judge
William \. Ketcham, and the adVo-
Gates of St. Louis, are standing brave
ly to their guns and will not concede
defeat until the last ballot is fired al
the business session of the organiza-
tion. Thursday.
The cOnYention-seeke and the per
sonal friends of candidates worked
hard today, but the thousands Of old
soldiers in the city had more import
ant matters to attend to.
IF amusement interferes with your
busincSs-cut out the business is the
motto of the veterans. and they are
| living up to it. The encampment is
first of all. a holiday and the visitors
do not allow their dignity as warriors
to spoil their splashing in the lake,
their rambles amid historic scenes;
their post card signal service to alb
sent friends nor their Investigations
of the Mormon faith.
Interested by Old Records
Salt Lakes unique position as the
Mecca of e peculiar religious denomi-
nation is remembered by all classes OF
visitors. but it is doubtful if any have
taken more interest in Mormon theol-
ogy and Mormon political economy
than these grizzled fighters of the civil
war.
The veteran who can secure an aged
father in Israel as his guide and in
structor. is in his element and Is en-
Wed of his comrades.
Thousands of veterans and the army
nurses were entertained free of charge
by the management of the Saltair pa
vilion, at the lake side this afternoon
Other thousands put in the day see
ing the sights of the city.
Colorado claims the largest delega-
tion at this enCampment. Inc ron
call shows S63 persons from the Cen
tennial state So far this claim has
not been disputed.
Spccial trains continue TO pour their
human cargoes into the depots and the
blue-clad veterans are instantly sWal-
lowed in the throng that came before.
Former Prisoners Hold Session
The association of Union EX-prison-
crs of War held their business session
with National Commander Harry
White of Pennsylvania, presiding, this
afternoon Executive councils OF the
Womens Relief corps and other aux
ilary bodies also devoted part OF
the day to routine labor,
Under the vast dome of the Mormon
tabernacle. the Grand Army Sons and
Daughters Of Veterans Women's Re-
lief corps. and the rest were welcomed
10 T-tah bv Governor William Spry
and TO salt Lake by Mayor John >
Rrausford tonight. The visitors ap-
nreciation of the welcome was voiced
by the commander-in-chief of the
Grand Army Of the Republic, Henry
NJ. Neyious.
After reviewing the promises he made
at the time of his election, Commander
iu-Chief Nevius said.
Il have received a warm and cordial
greeting wherever ! have gone and
found the grand army posts enthusl-
astic and doing the best they could
under the circumstances prey alling IN
their respective localities.
Old Sores Are Healed
Il was treated with great cordiality
upon my visit in the southern depart
ments and in Atlanta, Ga, when th4
Grand Army of the Republic held a
Joint meeting with II. clay Evans,
commander-in in-chief of the United Con-
federate Veterans and his organization.
The stars and stripes were consplcu-
Gus while the stars and bars were not
i'm evidence. our open and pubic dis
cussiOn upon the family trouble exist
ing between the northern and southern
states and between the men who had
stood upon the firing line on both sides
was most pleasant.
Il met the Confederate veterans again
i'm Denison, Texas. and at a public
meeting there | divided the time with
them upon the platform.
Il met them also at Birmingham,
Ala. and / am satisfied from ali ! could
see and hear and learn that the men
Who stood uDOn the firing line i'm the
southern Confcderacy had had enough
of the war and were anxious ana VII
ing to support the government OF the
United states under its flag, and that
were il not for others who did not par
ti,ipatc i'm that great struggle, but who
are stiu laboriug to keep alive the lost
cause, there would be no difficulty IN
cementing the bonds of union between
the north and south.
List of Veterans Grows Smaller
THE consolidated reports Of tho as
sistant adiutant generals ending June
50, have not all been received, hence II
is impossible to state our numerical
strength on June 80, 1909. ON Decem-
Der 81. 1907. the members in good stand
ing the Grand Army of the Repub
lie numbered 225,157. Tho number re
naming on the suspended list at that
date was 1889.
BY the consolidated report of the
adjutant general for this encampment
there We're remaining in good standing
on December 81, 1908, 220,616 The num-
Der remaining suspended on the same
date was S539. The number of COM
radea reported as having died between
December 81 1907 and December 81,
1905. was 1924. our gains during the
year have been: BY muster in. '434
by transfer, 294S; by reinstatement
7l46; by gain from delinquent reports
3626: total gain. 2l,154
THE number of comrades suspended
has been greatly reduced during the
nast wear. but the number remaining
SUSPENDED is entirely too large, When
comrades who are on the suspended list
cannot. without prejudice to them
selves and their families, paN their
dues, the posts should promptly remit
them i'm order that they he again placed
in good standing and have another
chance" .,-..
In discussing pension legislation
Commander Neyins said:
Congress Is Scored
"TrvcatigatiOn win show that there
have been many bills introduced in the
national congress upon different lines
called pension bills, asking for reliet