The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-23
Boston Man Elected Command
erin Chief Without Seri-
Gus Contest.
RETIRING COMMANDER
PAYS TRIBUTE TO SOUTH
Rochester, n. Y, COnditionally
Chosen as Meeting Place for
Next Encampment.


John b. Gilman OF Boston, for com
mander-,n chief. and Rochester, n. Y,
for the next place Of meeting, was tho
winning combination in the national
encampment of the G. A. r. which
opened its business session today The
other officers elected were:
Senior vice commander 1n-c chief
Charles Burrows, Rutherford. n. j:
Junior vice commander in-chlef-
William James, Jacksonville, Fla.
Surgeon general-John l. Smith, Spo-
kane, Wash.
-chief-Rev. Thomas Har-
wood, Albuquerque, n. M.
The new commander-in-cmef had an
easy time of it in his election, but
Rochcster's selection as the next en-
campment site has u string to 1T. The
veterans decided that the encampment
can 20 to the New York state city on
condition that satisfactory rates are Sc
cured from the railroads. and If IN the
judgment Of the executive committee OF
the national council of the adminlstra-
tion the rates are not satisfactory, the
committee can select some other city;
Los Angeles. Denver and Springfield,
H.. were also after the encampmenC,
and San Francisco invited the veterans
to the Golden Gate city In 1919
4 veteran from the southern city
said the encampmcnt would also hear
from New Orleans before that time.
With a fine tribute to the soldiers of
the Confcderacy. CommanderluC Chief
Samuel r. Van SAINT OF Minnesota today
formally opened the business session OF
the national encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic on the steel pier
in this city. The commander spoke
earnestly as he expressed his gratifica:.
tion at the increasing fraternizatlon of
the "blue' and the gray
When he said that no Drawer troops
were ever marshaled for conflict than
the southern soldiers and that the
Gciou veterans now realize that no men
ever made greater sacrifices for what
they believed 10 be right than their
former foes, the commander was ap-
plauded
Van SAINTS Address.
Comprchensively reviewing the work ot
the Grand Army OF the Republic In the
nation for the past year, during which lac
has acted as its head, the commander in
chief today addressed the delegates 10 the
forty fourth national encampmcnt as well
with an eye 10 the future good that the
great organization might accomplish as
upon the notable achievements OF It's past
While the roll OF the Grand Army is
steadily shortening the commander In
chief urged that every effort be made to
keep the organization up TO Its fullest
possible strength. lie quoted the figures
showing that the @. \, r. at the beginning
of the present year had still 2l3. 90l mem
bers in good standing, as against 220, 600
at the beginning OF 1909. The loss during
the year was 67Sl. OF which 5323 WIS by
death. The commander urged that re-
crultlng measures be taken among the
large number of former union soldiers who
are not enrolled as Grand Army members.
The SDenEsr noted n better general OBJ
serVance Of Memorial day than formerly.
Let us Insist and do ali in our power.
said. that Memorial day shall be de-
voted solely and only To the purpose for
which ii was created. Let Il oe the one
day OF the year devoted TO honoring our
'deathlcss dead for in that way we Will
teach the rising generation love OF coun-
try, without which our nation cannot long
survive" lie also urged the general CO.
operation of G., \, r. members in inducing
general observance OF flag day
Commander In Chief Van SAINT had
comlnendc ton for the work OF all the
G. a. II, auxiliares, praislDg the excel
lent work being done by the Woman's Re-
lief corps. Ladies' of the G. A. r.. Sons OF
Veterans and Daughters Of Veterans. or
the Sons OF Veterans. he said
Approves Sons of Veterans.
"1'his can bo made n still grander or
ganizatlon- IT Is constantly increasing IN
numbers and influence. The Sons of Vet
Grams with proper encouragement. should
soon be the largest patriotic body OF men
In the world. That II may is my earnest
wish The Sons of Veterans should have
aoll The encoura cement possible from the
Grand Army OF the Republic, 1t Is a
matter OF great satisfaction that the Sons
meet with us this year. l trust our ma
tional encampments may in the future be
held at the same time and In the same
place"
or the more liberal pension legislation
recommended by tho last annual encamp-
md cd W1 Shinptnn by ifS
committee. Commander In Chief Van SAINT
said;
II regret that nothing was accom-
plIshed but II was no fault OF the com
mittee Congress would not pass any
general pension legislation, However.
some coon private pension bills were en-
acted The committee canvassed the
matter ipdustriously with senators and
representatives, but tn no purpose. The
government was iacins a doilciercy in Its
revenues and retrenchmcnl and the strict
est economy was the watchword. This
was the reason given for non action In
my Judgment. In view or the changed con-
ditons in our country's financial AFFAIRS,
IL this erCnmpmcut should again recon-
mcnd this measure. VI would like pass.
Tho Grand Army or the Republic has
ever stood for the recognition of the
services OF its members. regardless of
length OF seryice-the ninety days man
as well as the veteran who served
throughout tho war. II the former did not
STAND in ljne OF battle. he stood In tl,o
line OF duty. and should have just con
sideration,"
NO Longer Enemies.
Tho commander in CHIEF expressed him
self as particularly graiitied al the in
crcasing differentiation OF the blue and
the gray. lie voiced his pleasure at
tho cordial reception given him during his
recent official visit 10 the southern de-
partments not only from the former un-
lon soldiers, but from the ex-confcder-
atcS.
"In all cities, when possible" he said,
Il urged Joint meeting OF the blue and
the gray. We had many gatherings OF
this character, and no more loyal and pa
triolic sentiments wero ever uttered than
by the men who fought on the other side.
Continued on Page Two