The National tribune., 1910-03-17
GEN. GEO. b. LOUD.
The q. "A. RsfNIemOrial Committee of
g New York. City, and Its Energetic
chairman.

4>S" IoINA SUy 8uu lis Energetic
Chairman.
Unique among the many organiza-
tions in which eligibility to membership
Is based upon the fact that applicants
are already members of the G., A. r. is
the Memorial Committee of New York
City. comprising the Al Posts Of the
County and city. As indicated by the
name, one ofythe objects is the proper
observance OF Memorial Day. Another
and very importantwork Is the protec-
ton OF the interests Of the more than
1000 veterans of the city In public em-
ploy-more than in any other entire
Department In the United States, unless
possibly the Department of the Poto-
mae, the membership of which Is who'll
ly in the National Capital.
Nearly all of the civil war veterans of
Brooklyn's 81 Posts who are in public
employ are in New York City proper
Federal, State, County and City Depart
ments-and the Memorial Committee
exercises the same protection over those
employees as is constantly manifested for
their own members.
Thru the Chairman the Memorial
Committee vigorously opposes all vio-
lations of laws which have been framed
for the protection Of veterans, and in
nine cases out of 10 successfully. The
Chairman must therefore be man of
pleasing personality, tactful and re-
sourceful, one who can think and act
promptly when the interest of COM
rade demands. The position is one of
much honor and dignity, for the incum-
bent has to be prepared at any and all
times to interview officials of all de-
grees in the interest of veterans in pub
lice employ, and he also has to preside
at the elaborate observances of Memo
rial Day peculiar to the Metropolis. to
arrange with distinguished personages
whom the committee wish to secure as
reviewing officer of the parade, presid-
ing officer at the evening exercises and
guests, and to act as host for the same.
1t is also customary for the Chairman
to make the address at the Soldiers and
Sailors Monument on Riverside Drive
Immediately following the parade.
Such a man is Gen. George B. Loud,
who at the annual meeting of Feb. 81
was elected Chairman for the fifth time,
his election four times being unani-
NOUS Gen. Loud argues every case in
which he is called to mediate strictly
on its merits. If injustice has been
done in the case of a veteran, he is tire
less in protest until the wrong has been
righted. If, as in many cases. the vet
eran is unable to measure fully up to
the standard of former years, yet can
make a fair average showing, the Chair
man by his eloquent appeals to the
heads of departments often succeeds in
securing the retention of the employee
for a while longer. Many officials de-
clare that in all their experience they
have never before been confronted
with so aggressive and persistent
champion of the rights of veterafs. No
one is more familiar with the laws that
govern the employment of veterans by
city or State.
During much of the 43 years he has
been in the G. A. r. he has been on
the firing line for his comrades rights,
always ready to protest against wrong
or injustice to them. In Louisiana,
Florida, Illinois or New York. while
occupying positions of prominence, he
has been instrumental in preventing
the removal of many veterans in public
service. He is known to the head Of
every department in New York City, and
his appearance In public office is un-
derstood to mean that he has a veter-
ans cause to champion.
I Altho at the last Encampment of the
Department of New York the General
was defeated by a small majority for
the office Of Department Commander,
greatly to the disappointment of his
comrades in New York City, his activity
and zeal for the veterans has in no
measure abated. As Chairman of the
New York City Memorial Committee he
has more reni practical work to do for
comradeship than any Department
Commander, and with that he is con-
tent.
The comrades of the great Depart
ment of New York outside of New York 1
City rarely see a Department Com
mander in recent years especially, and
the majority of the representatives to
the Department EncampHsnts know rel
atively little of the qualifications and
merits of the candidates, so that the
most worthy are sometimes defeated
and the poorer equipped win out This
Is not right. Stronger and ADLER men
are NEEDED every year to fight the battles
of those who grow weak in the fight for
livelihood, and no one observant of
the conditions can fail to observe this. |
Gen. Loud war good soldier in the
war, his service extending over a period |
of nearly five years. He inherited his
lighting qualities, his great-great- grand |
father being the only man on record to |
furnish six soldiers in the Revolution
himself and five SONS All his life Gen |
Loud has manifested the same cour-
ageous spirit in all his undertakings, |
never anticipating failure. When Unit |
ed States Inspector of Elections, in |
Louisiana. at the time of the memoir
able Hayes and Tilden contest in 1876, |
he made a whirlwind ride Of sc miles, |
killing two horses and running q third |
on account Of a mistake in the printing
of ballots, and by this means he pre- |
vented the loss of the Louisiana vote to |
the winnig party, which meant the |
Presidency, as certified by the Chair
man of the Republican State Commit |
tee and the Returning Board of Lou
isiana.
Gen. Loud is a forceful and magnetic |
speaker, and ably substituted for Unit |
ed States Senator Root. who, on ac- |
count of Illness, was unable to fulfill an |
engagement to deliver the Grafton on the |
occasion of the Tooth anniversary OF |
the birth of Abraham Lincoln at the |
Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol |
at Albany. For that address Gen. Loud |
received the highest praise from the
press. The General has been for many
years lecturer for the New York City
Board of Education, and Is I'm great de-
mand not only for general lecture work.
but for patriotic addresses upon all sorts
of occasions. For 80 years previous to
his Craftsmanship of the Memorial Com
mittee, which now requires his undiyid-
ed attention on that day, he delivered
Memorial Day orations at various places
in New York State and the East, al
ways without remuneration. that being
his fnvariable rule. because of the sa-
cred character of the day.
By invitation of the G. A. r., thru
Gen. Loud. Chairman. President Taft
has promised to be their guest on Me-