The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-20
NEW PRESTON
 MAN ELECTED 6. A. R. HEAD
State Veterans in Session Here Choose William IT. Dougal for Department Commander.

William H. Dougal of New Preston
 was elected department commander
 of the state department of the Grand Army of the Republic at the business
 session held at odd Fellows hall this morning. The new commander was a
 member of the Sixth Connecticut and
 lost an arm at the charge of Fort
 Wagner. He has been senior vice commander of the department and has also served on several commit tees. In New Preston he holds the office of justice of the peace. He suc- ceeds R. J. Cutbill of South Nor
 walk.
 The committees report on the pro- position to increase the per capita tax from ten to 30 cents a year was received this morning. The report was adopted and the new increase will go into effect next July. De- partment Commander Dougal recom- adutant general and assistant quar- termaster general be consolidated. This was adopted and will go into effect immediately.
 A new council of adRinistration was elected as follows: Major Thomas Norwich; Judge D. c. Kilburn, Litch- field: David W. Sharpe, New Haven; R. J. Cutbill, South Norwalk.
 A committee of seven was appoint ed to arrange for the planting of an oak tree on the capital grounds at Hartford on April g. 1913, the ami versary of Lees surrender. The con- vention adjourned at noon for lunch and resumed business at o'clock.
 Russell Glenn of this city was elect senior vice commander when the con vention went into session this after noon The new official is truant of ficer in this city and is one of the most prominent members of the G. A R. He has a long and honorable record in the police department. The popularity of the choice was indicated by the hearty applause that followed the announcement of MT. Glenn's election Egbert Dart of Rockville was elected junior vice commander
 At the conclusion of the business session a banquet will be given to the delegates tonight in Odd Eel lows hall under the direction of the Woman's Relief Corps to be assisted by Ladies of the G. A. R. ana Dausn- ters of Veterans.
 Yesterday afternoon the veterans enjoyed an auto ride about the city in machines donated by local resi- dents. Last night there was a camp fire at the First M. B. church at which Judge H. M. Trimble of Prince ton, H., national commander In chlef, was the principal speaker.
 The veterans enjoyed the automobile ride given them in the afternoon. Fully 25O were taken about the city by automobilists who cheerfully donat- ed their cars. Seaside and Beardsley Parks were the chief points of inter est visited.
 Many of the cars were handsomely decorated with flags. Some of the "vets'' had never ridden in an automo- bile before and greatly relished the experience even though the weather was chilly. They were loud in their praise of Bridgeport's hospitality. It seemed that an attempt had been made by Hartford year or two ago to provide the veterans with an auto ride but it failed because of the in- ability to get enough cars. The ola soldiers were strong for Bridgeport.
 The automobiles were loaded with out confusion and sent away by diff ferent routes, each driver being hand ed a. printed route card. Sergeant Hazel and Officers Ryan, Goulden, Wheeler, Corrigan and Doo1ey, who were detailed by Supt. Birmingham, did good work in assisting the com mittee.
 At a late hour this afternoon an- was made that the final elections were made as follows: Med ical Director, Dr. M. w. Robinson of Hartford; Department Chaplain, Will l liam H. Hilton of Hartford.