Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-03
Proposed Change in Manage
ment of Soldiers
IN Homes Opposed.
VETERANS AGAINST
ANY OUTSIDE CONTROL
Campfres, Receptions, Firework.
and Other Amusements Help
to Fill in Time.

DETROIT, Mich. September S.-The
Grand Army Of the Republic and the
several organizations affiliated with it
plunged into routine business today. The
principal event of the forenoon session
was the annual address of the COM
mander-in-cfief of the G. A. r., Wash
ington Gardner, of Albion.
Plea for National Anthem.
A. plea for the perpetuation of 1.-The
Star Spangled Banner as the American
anthem. Without alloy. was made fervent-
ly by Mr. Gardner in his address
He urged the old soldiers to join in a
movement to pay special honor to this
song. and to discountenance the practice
of playing it in medley with such Flip
pant and comparatively meaningless dit
ties as Yankee Doodle" and When
Johnnie Comes Marching Home" He
said there was something inspiring in an
audience rising and standing uncovered
at the majestic strains of the national
anthem, but 1t as "incongruous. border
ing even on the 1udicrous'' for the band
to strike up some other national air in
medley with this. and to observe the au-
dience resume sitting in IAN irregular.
half-ashamed manner 1t were better
not to rise at all when the national hymn
ID played In medley, he said.
Urges Capital Headquarters.
A recommendation that permanent
Headquarters for the G. A. r. be estab-
ished in Washington was another point
OF his address. Chicago and PhiIadeiphia
had been proposed. but he preferred the
National Capital, and thought that if
possible the necessary space should be
q ,ny,t hull
the officers could keep closely in touch
with matters before Congress which af-
fected the Grand Army
A standing committee of seven persons
With the commander-in-chief and adju-
tant general of the G. A. R. as eX-officio
members, he also recommended princi-
pally for the purpose of taking charge
of all legislation which had the indorse-
ment of the order. He said that such a
committee would concentrate RESPONSE
bility, reduce expense and give promise
Of better results.
''As it is now, he continued. the
committees having to do with proposed
legislation number, in the aggregate
nearly ten times seven, and are widely
separated. 1t is difficult to have a gen
eral meeting. save at large expense to
the order to the individuals. Under
the present arrangement responsibility
is too widely diffused and members too
rarely brought together for consultation
and concert of action
Discusses Soldiers Homes.
He urged that no change be made in
the method of management of the SOL
diers' homes which are scattered through
out the United States. Concerning the
matter, he said:
mot a single complaint has come to
the knowledge of the commander-in-ch!ef
from any member of any home during
this administrative year. 1t Is known
that an effort is being made to place
these homes. now under the care and
supervision of our comrades, subject 10
the approval of the War Department.
into the custody of men who never saw
military service in actual war and whose
sympathies are not SO likely to be dlrect-
ed toward our comrades in their declining
years. This seems to be case Wnere
the old rule, Let well enough alone VIII
apply This encampment. In my 9uos-
ment. should say to Congress that the
Grand Army of the Republic Is oecloeois
against the proposed change.
The present membership in good stano.
ing was reported as III 1885. During the
wear the roll was curtailed by the death
Of Hist old soldiers, but notWltnstaho /
ing this large figure; It Is Iot less e cd
the number who died during the preceo-
The meetings of the Grand Army ana
the women's Relief Corps PROMISED 70
last until late IN tne dlAei hooH' $es,
tions OF national policy concerning eaGh
order were to be discussed and prop
ably deciced upon before night Matters
of interest to the old soldiers included
a movement to establish national mead
quarters in a large city, possibly WASH
ington
Consider Soldiers Homes.
II also was considered quite probable
that the encampment would officially
protest to Congress against any pro
posed plan to change the present method
Of mana cement Of the soldiers homes
scattered throughout the United States.
These institutions have been managed
nv war veterans. G. A. r. sentiment
seems strongly against so-called outside
control. :,
Receptions and campfires and a dis
play of fireworks at Belle Isle We're the
entertainments arranged FOR tonight
Col. j. l.. Smith of Highland Park.
Mich. champion long distance runner
of the civil war veterans. was called
rlpon TO defend his title this afternoon.
At the state fair grounds he was to run
ten miles against a picked relay team OF
ton old soldiers each of whom was to
run mile Col Smith was victor In a
similar race at the 1912 and 1913 en-
campments.