Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-23
GILMAN G. A. R. HEAD
Charges Against McEroy
Lead to His Withdrawal.
ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION
Accusations Made in Connection
With Florida Land Deal.
MEET IN ROCHESTER IN 1911
Corporal" Tanner, Leading Faction,
Stirs Veterans and Forces Early
Election Of Ohicers.

ATLANTIC CITY, n. j., September %
John E. Gilman of Boston for COM
handkerchief and Rochester. n. Y.
for the next place Of meeting was the
winning combination in the national en-
campment Of the G. A. R., which open
ed its business session yesterday on the
ocean end Of the steel pier
The encampment during the afternoon
was thrown into a turmoil when Col.
John McElroy Of Washington. withdrew
as a candidate for commander-in- chief,
and declared that charges of graft in
connection with a land deal in ST. Cloud,
Fla, had been made against him. Col Nc
Elroy asked that a committee be ap-
pointed to investigate the charges Ac-
cording to his friends. the assertions of
fraud were not voiced in the convention.
but had been used against the Washing
ton man, who is editor of the National
Tribune, the G. A. r. organ, in his cam
paign.
Col McElroy in his speech stated he
desired to withdraw in favor of the rival
candidate. Col John E. Gilman of Bos
ton. who was soon afterward elected.
Friends of Col. McElroy. although he in
sisted that his name should not be placed
In nomination, voted for him, the result
Denies the Charges.
The appointment of committee to take
up the alleged graft matter has not yet
been made. Oh1cials of the organization.
to prevent any notoriety, will undoubted-
~ review the charges with the utmost
secrecy, although Col. McElroy declares
that this is just what he does not desire.
The statement OF Gel. McElroy, who is
well known as an author of civil war
stories. is the aftermath Of several SEN
sational statements voiced half year
ago. it is declared McElroy Indignantly
denies any charges which he says might
be made against him.
1T is true that $4,000 acres of land in
Florida we're purchased" he said last
night They were advertised for sale at
500 for Ave acres and a town lot. The
first year there were between 1000 and
1000 applicants. The colony thrived, but
friction among the residents developed.
and this is the basis for the assertions.
Some of the purchasers of lots were vet
erans.'
So indignant is Col. McElrcy and his
friends that it seems likely they will
force the issue and make this statement
go on record regarding his dealings.
Want Better Railroad Rates.
Earlier in the day. the veterans had
been stirred Dy 'COrpOral Ianner OF
Philadelphia, who led faction in fore
ing the election of officers to take place
yesterday afternoon. He made it soon
after the beginning of the first business
session in the morning.
The other national officers elected are:
Charles e. Burrows Of Rutherford. n. j..
senior vice commander; William James.
Jacksonville Fla Junior vice commander;
Rev. Thomas HARDWOOD, New Mexico,
chaplain--in-chief, and DR.. John L. Smith,
Spokane, surgeon general.
Rochester. n. Y. was selected as the
place of next years encampment, al
though the veterans have instructed their
new commander-in-chiefa and the council
Of administration to pick out another SITE
IL the New York people cannot guarantee
railroad rates. The rates charged by
the railroads for the present encampment
have been a thorn In the side Of the vet
Grams.
At its annual reunion the United States
Veteran Signal Corps Association, Civil
War division, elected the following off,
GERS:
President. Col J. E. Hyneman of Phila
delphia; vice presidents, Thomas s. Baird,
Philadelphia, and Eli r Bowler. Pitts
burg; secretary. and treasurer. Charles
De Witt Marcy, Boston; assistant secre-
tary, James II. Kelly, Albany; historian,
]. willard Brown, Boston: chaplain, Rev.
John A. Haley, North Ridgeville, Ohio;
quartermaster, Romanus Emerson, Bos-
ton.