Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-22
GILMAN THE CHOICE
Appears to Have Beaten Me-
EIroy for Commander-in Chief.
TRIBUTE TO FORMER FOES
Van SAINT Praises Bravery Of the
Confederate Soldiers.
MAY INCORPORATE G. A. R.
Plan to Secure Federal Charter Un-
der Consideration at Atlantic
City Encampment.
TRIBUTE TO FORMER FOES
MAY INCORPORATE G. A. R.

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., September %.
With fine tribute to the soldiers of
the Confederacy, Commander-in-Chief
Samuel r. Van SAINT Of Minnesota today
formally opened the business sessions of
the national encampment Of the Grand
Army of the Republic on the Steel Pier
in this city. The commander spoke ear
nestly as he expressed his qualification
at the increasing determination of the
Blue" and the Gray
When he said that no braver troops
were ever marshaled for conflict than
the southern soldiers, and that the Union
veterans now realize that no men ever
made greater sacrifices for what they
believed to be right than their former
foes. the commander was applauded.
Enjoying Sights of Resort.
The veterans did not show any ill
effects Of yesterdays long march, and
were about bright and early Those
not called into the business session of
the encampment planned to spend the
day In enjoying the many attractions of
the city. Beautiful weather again fa-
vored the veterans.
Many matters affecting the welfare of
the Grand Army veterans will come be-
fore the encampment. The ever-present
question Of pensions will come up, the
veterans urging that the lowest pensions
granted be considerably increased. From
latest information at hand there are
ABOUT $4,000 names on the pension rolls.
The government estimates there are 85,-
WO Union men who are not drawing PEN
sions. making the total number Of sur
vivors Of the Union forces in the country
627, 600.
Gilman Probable Winner.
When the representatives. of the vete-
appeared to be no doubt that John E.
Gilman of Boston will be elected COM
His opponen. is John
McElroy Of Washington, D. C.
Los Angeles. Cal. seems to be leading
as the place for holding the encampment
in 1911.
The matter Of Incorporating the Grand
Army OF the Republic will probably come
before the encampment. The commander
recommends in his rspoct sthat tAp5 pa
tional organization be- 6r6ts nltder
federal laws.
Lincoln's Name in Anthem
The Department Of Kentucky wants the
national hymn. America" to include the
name of Lincoln. 1t has proposed an
amendment to the rules and regulations
OF the organization that the following
lines be used In patriotic and memorial
exercises in singing America:
Reunited land.
Meath Lincoin's guiding hand,
Our love we give;
Land tyranny dehed:
Land war can neer divide;
Land soldiers giorifed,
For thee we live
The Woman's Relief Corps, Ladies' of
the Grand Army Of the Republic, Army
Nurses. Daughters Of Veterans and Sons
Of Veterans held business meetings to-
day.
For Dollar-a-Day Pension.
The pension committee of the Grand
Army of the Republic today made a re-
port to the opening session OF the ma
tional encampment condemning the
proposition that Congress grant each
Union veteran Of the civil war pension
of at least 81 day for life. The COM
mittee made the adverse report on the
ground that such pensions would be too
expensive to the government
The report recommends that the
widows Of veterans be given an in
creased pension, and also advocates that
the pensions Of veterans above the age
OF seventy years be increased. The re-
port was referred to the resolution COM
mittee, Of which Past Commander-in.
Chief Torrance of Minnesota is chair
man. This committee will make a re-
port later.
The commander-in-chief, Samuel Van
SAINT. read his report at the opening
session. and all other reports were
submitted without being read.
The election OF officers and the place
OF next meeting were made the special
order for this afternoon.
(The speech Of Chief
Van SAINT will be found elsewhere In
The Starr