The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-04-14
6. A. R. LOSES POI I' MEMBERS BY DEATH
 DURING PAST YEAR.
Nearly 300 Veterans Attend
 State Encampment in. Meriden.
Department Officers Will Be Elected Tomorrow by
 Delegates.

Meriden, April 14-Meriden was taken by the Grand Army of the Republic today. From all parts, of the state. veterans Of the Civil War came to attend the 47th annual en- campment of the Department of Con- nectieut, G. A. R, close to 500 being in the city for the two days session. The convention's guest of honor is. Washington Gardner, of Albion, o.! the eommander -in-chief. who will ad-" dress the delegates tonight at ttcamphrep after Mayor Daniel J.. Donovan has welcomed them to the city.
 At today's session, reports of off, cers were presented, including that of the department nmander, James R. Sloane, of this city. Officers will be elected tomorrow.
 Tn his annual statement referring to the Soldiers Home. Commander Sloane said:
 Tt has been my privilege to visit this estimaaole institutfon and note the comforts that are being enjoyed by our less fortunate comrades, so freely given by a grateful people, EHe also praised the Woman's Relief Corps for tits splendid adninistra- tion of the Cromwell home for old
 
 Continufng he said: ssThe closer [ have been able to look into the prin- ciples and purposes of the Sons Of Veterans the stronger becomes my conviction that in many instances they are not receiving the strong sup port of the posts, The time rapidly approaches when they must assume the duties you and I, have been per forming. Encourage them, comrades, and you will see the Sons of Veterans one of the strongest and best organi- zations in the land. a worthy success sor Of the Grand Army of the Re- pubI1c.s'
 Mir Sloane said he had found the Spanish war. veterans patriotic to the highest degree and great help to the sso1d veterans. :, He also endorsed the movement for the organization of cit-s izenss corps to be connected with the. various posts. 4aa
 Albert A AGay, of this city, assist ant adJutant general, who is also as-s sistant suuaTter1naster general, report CT 9 loss in membership during the. year of 325, of this number 20fs being 2,S95 MT. May reported cash in banks. amounting to 8. .19z.73 and total as seta of $3.527 s53. The amount expend- ed for charity uwas $2,141-66. The amount of relief funds was given as Ks69, ,416.90 and the amount of post. funds $59.421 .66.
 Reports were presented also by Senior Vice. -CommaIder George I. Buxton, Norwalk; Junior Vice lCorn- mander Henry Young. liar tford ;
 Medical Director Frederick. " Street. CT. New Britain; Chaplain William F. Hilton. Hartford; Department In spector N H. Palmer, Thonpsonville :; Judge Advocate Charles Griswold. GuiIford Chief Mastering Officer EI- bert l.. Ruggles Bridgeport, and Pa triotic Instructor John l.. Sake, Wa terbury ssa s s<I Lottie E. GriswoId, of Waterbury. department president of the Woman s Relief Corps. reported $2,697.s2 expend- ed for relief during the year; number lof corps in the department, 48; mem benss 3,53S; cash balance in general ] fund Of corps. $s,245 30. cash balance l in relief fund of corps, g, ,286 86; cash balance in department relief fund.
 s55.57. and cash balance in depar tnent general fund S1O20 16