The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-24
Interesting Elections Fea-
ture of Annual
Sessions.
HUNDRED DELEGATES
ATTEND MEETINGS
Choosing Commander-in-Chief VIII
Be Principal Business of
Convention.

with one three cornered and one
two-sided fight already in view. with
lots OF important matters for debate
and decision. the twenty-eighth annual
eneampment Of the Commandery in o.
Chief Sons Of Veterans. u. S. A and
the Sons Auxiliary got down TO real
business at the Arlington this morning.
There were more than 100 delegates
IN attendance at the sessions Of the
auxiliary, where the two-sided battle is
10 rage, and several hundred men pres
ent at the meetings OF the Sons, where
three prospective commanders-in-chief
are getting IN their heavy work.
The principal business Of all national
%ncampments is the election Of COM
snender-in-chief and the selection Of the
place Of next meeting. Atlantic City
is decided upon already, so FAR as was
sscertainable today, as the next meet
ang place. The @. A. r. wiz meet there
next September and consequently there
is but little doubt that the Sons viii go
TOO.
Edgar Allen, ir., OF Richmond. the
present commandments Of the Sons
Is not a candidate for reelection, but
there are three other tried and true
members Of the Organization who have
announced their desire for this position.
Paterson, n. J.; Fred Bolton. city clerk
OF Boston, and Newton J. MCGUIRE, an
attorney, of Indianapolis While al
three candidates are making a good
showing and while il is a little early
10 make prediction, the chances Of Nc
CURE were believed today to be lit
tie brign-e r than those of the other two.
The next commaHder-in~chiet may
have several important matters to de-
eide, such as the proposed Peace Mon
ument'' to comm enorate a reunited
nation and the question of the erection
Of suitable headquarters building.
Miss Molly Donaldson, or Paterson.
N J., the present cOmmandeT-in-chief
of the auxiliary IS candidate Tor re-
election. Her only opponent so tar as
was known today is Mrs F. ". Rich
ards, of Massachusetts, Patriotic in-
structor Of the order. Miss Donaldson
is said 10 have some advantage at pres
ent. Both candidates are working hard'
however.
probably tomorrow afternoon, tnat 81
xhe Sons on Thursday
Discuss Lee Statue.
While there has been little talk OF
saking up the question or the propriety
of the placing of a statue Of Gen. Robert
n. Lee In statuary Hall in the Capitol,
Sons expressed the belief today that
there will be no comment upon that
matter "Ilet sleeping dogs lie" is
good motto. they think.
In his report TO the commandry-in-
chief this morning Edgar Allen, jr. rec
commended the adoption some time In
she near future. OF g new and briefer
constitution. This should be done only
on a four-hfths vote ar a national en-
csmpment, he said.
Mr. Allen said that their organization
. Il. To r1a
should instead devote tome Of its ener-
igies TO a department Of national or
ganizatiOn- he recommended that the
power Of court-martial be dispensed
with. He suggested thar hereafter the
head Of the Sons be called national
comE7 andeT'' instead commandment
chief. He thought that the password
and countersign Of the sons should be
changed but once a year instead Of
severy six months as is now the custom
Memorial Hall Here
He spoke OF the National Memorial
Hall to be erected in this city Ac-
cor5ine 10 Mr.. Aliens idea, the hall
should Sc IN a large building, the
ground floor OF which could be turned
over to a store. the rent from which
would aid in defraying expenses. Of
ices might be contained in such a
structure also.
WIN the exception Of the report OF
Hhe commandEr-in-chief, the morning
session vas devoted mostly 20 the nam
ing Of committees and other routine
business Following this session came
the arst public meeting Of the encamp-
snent
William F. Guide, president Of the
Washington Chamber Of Commerc,
made the address of welcome, and then
acted Is presiding officer. Mr. Guide
said out few words Of salutatiOn, and
then introduced Charles W Clagett,
who made a longer address.
Mr.. Clagett told the visitors Wash
sngton was glad 10 have them come 20
our city, or rather, ttheir own city"
lie referred 10 the services of the vet
Grams IN glowing terms. and paid high
tribute 10 the organization.
Commissioner r. =. r. mcfarland was
announced. and MIR Cldgett's address
was turned into a coordination welcome
from the District governments and the
Chamber of Commerce.
COnlmander-in-chief Allen made the