The Washington herald., 1909-08-26
SONS OF VETERANS
WILL ELECT TO-DAY
Three Candidates in Race
for the Presidency.
HUNDREDS ATTEND RECEPTION
Quiet Campaign for Change In Ad-
ministrative Control OF OrganiEa-
tion-Mnine Memorial Association
Seeks Co-Operation-ChanE I'm Con-
stitutiOn Postponed Until 1910.

The big social event OF the Sons of
Veterans encampment was the recep-
tion and ball at the Arlington Hotel last
evening. The affair was largely attend
ed and was a brilliant social success.
The march was led by Conander-in-
chief Edgar Allan and Miss Mollie Don
aldson, the latter national president OF
the auxiliary.
Interest IN the encampment centers n
to-day's sessions. when the three-cor-
nered hght among the Sons for choice
OF a commander-in-chief will be settled.
The candidates put In a busy day yester-
day. and last evening politics was the
ell-absorbing topic among the groups
In the corridors.
Few INDUCED in prophesy on the eve Of
election, but the result OF to-day's bal
lotting Is awaited with anxiety by the
candidates and their henchmen. The
aspirants are George W. PouItt. OF Pat
erson. n J.; Fred Bolton. Of Boston.
and Newton J. MCGUIRE, OF indianapolis.
Auxiliary Fight On.
The auxiliary is not to be outdone bv
their brethren OF the sterner sex. and
they have a merry scramble Of their own
ever the presidency OF their organization.
Miss Mollie Donaldson. the present head.
Is an aggressive candidate for re-elec-
ton She has done earnest work for the
auxiliary, and her friends expressed con-
ndence OF victory In discussing the situ-
aton last evening Pitted against Miss
donaldson, Is Mrs. Estella W. Richards
OF East Weymouth Heights, Mass.
Proposed amendments to the constitu-
ton were discussed yesterday afternoon
at length but no definite action was
taken The committee having the amend
ments under consideration was continued
with Instructions to report next year AT
the annual encampment at Atlantic CITY
Last year the committee was instructed
10 prepare amendments to the constitu-
ton II was yesterday instructed to pre-
pare new constitution.
There was a determined effort on foot
Tor a change In the administrative con-
Uoi or the organization. Under the pres
ent system many matters OF purely local
interest are held until the commander can
act This. say the opponents. tends TO
retard the growth OF the organization
and In consequence a quiet campaign
Tor revision has been on for several
years The proEressives are confident OF
ultimate success IN their fight.
Held a Conference.
Col John HcElroy held a conference
with the national officers TO lay before
them the work Of the Maine Memorial
Association, recently formed in this CITY.
20 erect a monument 70 the memory Of
the victims who perished with the sink
Ing OF the war ship in 1888. II is planned
10 erect the monument In Wasblnrt6D
commandments Allan is enthusias-
TIC over the Idea Of locating the proposed
permanent headquarters OF the order In
washington. He emphasized the fact
that, while other towns OF only A few
thousand Inhabitants. have memorial
nails Tor use Of G. A. r. organizations
and afhliated societies. the Capltal OF the
nation has no such building.
Commander Allan is not less interested
IN the location Of the proposed peace
monument in Washington. This monu-
ment. a tribute from the sons and daugb-
ters Of both Union and Confederate SOL
olers, would stand as a token that all
sectional differences in the United States
have forever disappeared
The report OF the committee on ritual
recommended no change. The committee
on military affairs submitted a report
IN which were embodied regulations TO /
govern the military branch Of the or !
der The report was accepted. This re-
port mentioned the fact that at a divi- /
sion encampment, held in June. IN Mil
ton, Pa. 1000 men presented themselves. /
armed and ready for action.
Rev Dr. W J. Patton. president Of the |
Sons OF Veterans Memorial University /
at Mason City. Iowa, was yesterday af- 4
ternoon elected patriotic instructor at an \
annual salary OF $500. with 500 for /
travelling expenses. II Is thought that
DIT Patton can do effective work az 4
patriotic instructor in connection with his 4
extensive travels in all parts Of the coun- /
try as head Of the university.
The Memorial University now has an
enrolment of 30 students and property
valued at S75,O0o The students receive
me usual collegiate training with special /
stress on patriotism and United States
history