Evening star., 1909-09-11
VETS At CAMPFIRE
District Delegates Speakers
at Erie Reunion.
BUSINESS OF CONVENTION
Home at Washington Favored by
Army and Navy Union.
LOVING CUP FOR GEN. BROWNE
Gife to National Commander From
Ladies' Auxiliary-Roosevelt
Silk Flag Accepted.
LOVING CUP FOR GEN. BROWNE
Special Dispatch to The Star.

ERIE, Pa, September 1.-THE dele
gates to the fourteenth biennial encamp-
ment Of the Army and Navy Union were
entertained last night at a rousing camp
fire. The central figure was Gen. j. Ed
win Browne of Baltimore national COM
mander, who delivered an address con-
graduating the membership upon its zeal
In recruiting the ranks and establishing
new garrisons. He referred to ''Comrade
Roosevelt. who is an active member of
the association Of soldiers. sailors and
marines. and said the former President
had ever taken an active interest in the
Army and Navy Union and its objects
Among the District of Columbia dele
gates who spoke at the campfire were
Col. Benjamin F. Chase. president of the
District council OF administration: Gen.
Andrew S. Burt. William A. Hickey,
Charles Blush, DIR. Charles v. Petteys
and John J. Strain.
There was full attendance Of delegates
At the session yesterday afternoon and
much business was transacted.
Home for Soldiers and Sailors.
A resolution was adopted favoring the
erection In Washington, D. c., of a COM
modous building for the temporary home
+. Chase addressed the encampment In
behalf of the resolution.
Congress will be petitioned to erect in
the city of Erie. Pa. suitable monu-
ment to the memory Of Capt Gridley. the
nero OF Dewey's flagship. Olympia. Capt
Gridley's remains are buried in Lake
side cemetery in Erie. Dr. Charles E.
Petteys addressed the convention favor
ing the Gridley memorial
resolution was adopted on motion of
William A. Hickey 10 extend the SYM
pathy of the convention to the family OF
the late Gen. Corbin.
Ihe encampment took up the question
OF service medals. which were voted by
Congress to the men who served in the
Spanish American. Porto Rican, Hawa-
ian. China and Philippine campaigns. The
encainpment passed a resolution asking
Congress TO authorize the War Depart
ment to give these medals to the veterans
now separated from the service
Congress will also be asked to Iegislate
Tor the old soldiers in giving them no
less than 90 cents day pension. A reso-
luton to this effect was passed unani-
mousy.
The suggestion of Col. Richard A.
OfBrien. late 1st District of Columbia
Volunteers, to have the bugie call, Ito
quarters sounded at the funeral Of ex-
soldiers just before TAPS" was adopted.
Loving Cup Presented.
The Ladies' Auxiliary presented Gen.
]. Edwin Browne, national commander.
with a beautiful engraved loving cup The
Ladies' Auxiliary marched into Conyen-
ton Hall in body, the veterans singing
America" There were 100 lady dele
gates present.
The retention Of pension money OF old
soldiers by the authorities of soldiers
homes was discussed at some length. and
committee was appointed to look into
the matter and report to national head
quarters.
The Bates BILL now before Congress.
sailors and marines after twenty-five
years service, was indorsed. The cues.
tion OF pension to all men who served
honorably in the civil and Spanish-Amer-
lean wars was also placed before the en-
campment and approved.
The encampment indorsed the plan ad-
vccated by DR.. Charles v. Petteys Of
this city for the establishment of pu lie
park at old Fort Stevens. near Bright
wood. d. c.. where President Lincoln
was at one time under fire of the Con-
federate guns. A bill will be drawn up
to be sent to Congress upon its reassem.
bling.
The convention formally accepted a
beautiful silk banner, "OId Glory" pre-
sented by former President Roosevelt. II
was displayed for the, first time at the
opening session yesterday.
The delegates and ladies went aboard
the U. s. s. Wolverine. which Is here in
honor of Perry day" ceremonies. held
yesterday. The guests partook OF lunch
con.
fish dinner, the fish being taken out
or Lake Erie for the occasion, was given
TO the veterans and ladies by the busf-
ness men of the city at Central Labor
Union Hall. followed by a musical and
rterary entertainment The Washington.
-; =. delegation was received everywhere
OF Erie se oSpi'0uic pcopie
The encampment yo..s
10 make the Mount Vernon sh.,ns -
pusial s, place OF Washington, open to the
tsn,ns pIDns y win TN no fee of admission. thus
gents, Speakers declared that Wnsss..
ssrnon: being the mecca OF patriotisn,.
me rising generation should be aiio~e1
20 VISIT II without any charg6 bsins
-