Evening star., 1909-06-27
BELATED HONOR PAID
Statue to Maj. B. F. Stephen
son, Founder of G. A. R.
UNWILLING ON SATURDAY
Man Who Conceived Idea Saw
His Hopes Crumble.
CHEATED OF DESIRED OFFICE
Organization Had Nearly Disap-
peared at Time Of His Death, But
Revived in Subsequent Years.
HEATED OF DESIRED OFFICE

Brig. Gen. w. W. WotherspoOn United
States Army, grand marshal Of the pa
rade on the occasion of the dedication of
the monument TO DR.. Benjamin F.. Ste
phenson, founder of the Grand Army of
the Republic. at the corner of 7th street
and Pennsylvania avenue, next Saturday
afternoon, at $50 o'clock, has announced
the organization of the parade as fol-
lows:
Platoon of police; Brig. Gen. w. w.
Wotherspoon, L.. S. A, grand marshal:
Maj. S. ID. Sturgis, L. 5. A., chief of
staff.
First division-Col. Joseph Garrard.
10Th Cavalry, marshal: Engineer Band,
Companies A and b. United States En-
gineers; two companies Coast Artil-
lery Corps, L. S. A; two companies
United States Marines: one company
seamen, nited States Navy; two bat
teries, I'd Field Artillery; band, 18th
Cavalry: squadron GhIee troops), 18Th
United States Cavalry.
Second division-Brig. Gen. G. II.
Harres, \. G. u. G., marshall: 1st
Regiment Infantry. "a Regiment In
fantry, Separate Battalion Infantry,
detachment Signal Corps and datach-
ment Hospital Corps, all Of the Ma
tional Guard. District Of Columbia.
The first division will be massed in
column on Louisiana avenue and the
second division in line on 412 street, with
right of line ut City Hall place. The
parade will start at the conclusion of
the ceremonies at the monument.
The column will debouen from Lousi-
ana avenue into Ttn street, move south
on 9TH street to Pennsylvania avenue,
thence west on Pennsylvania avenue 10
the United States Treasury, and thence
north to the corner OF New York avenue
and 18th street where the parade VIII De
dismissed.
The parade will be reviewed by the
President of the United States from tho
Sr2ndstanG OF the cas-. side Uf TIN street.
Recognition Given at Last.
After forty-three years the founder OF
the Grand Army of the Republic, Mai
Stephenson, is 10 have national recos-
milton through the massive monument &C
be unveiled here Saturday.
1t will be the first monument raised &c
his memory. Getting together the funds
for it has consumed the greater part OF
the last ten years. The movement had
its incipiency in Illinois.
Cen Charles Partridge of the Depart
ment of Illinois first suggested the monu-
ment about ten years a3o to Col. john
McEiroy, editor of the National Tribune
the organ of the veterans. Col. Mcilros
took up the matter and agitated il
through the columns of the National Tri-
bune, and several hundred dollars was
raised III that way.
Finally the matter was taken 10 tho
national enc ,mpment of the Grand Army
of the Republic. That body took up the
work
The first suggestion was Tor a statue OF
Maj Stephenson III bronze, representing
him in uniform. This statue was to be
erected in Washington.
Congress readily passed law permit
ting its erection. No money VS. ap-
propriated.
Gen. Louis Wagner of Philadelphia
ninth commander-in-chief of the Grand
Army of the Republic, who, with Gen
Robert b. Beath, also of Philadelphia
and a past chief, hold the
record of never having missed an en-
ca1npment of the Grand Army Of the Re
public, and Col McElroy We're appointed
upon a committee t. raise funds. Gen
Wagner was made treasurer of the com
mittee, and has 50 served ever since
This committee has raised nearly S26,-
600 for the monument. this sum the
Womans Relief Corps has contributed
SGtD
Congress Votes Money.
Congress appointed IS n committee for
the House and Senate the Secretary of
War, the superintendent of public build
ings and grounds and the chairmen of the
committees of library OF the House and
Senate. In 1897 the Joint resolution of
1902 was repealed and Il new resolution
was passed and signed by the President.
authorizing the expenditure of Slo,W:t
from the United States Treasury for the
purpose of preparing a site for the monu-
ment and erecting a pedestal when the
place should be selected.
The joint resolution OF 1907 also directed
that in addition TO the committee from
Congress, the treasurer OF the Grand