Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-24
Detroit Has Made Elaborate
Preparations for the G. A. R.
Encampment.
A SPECIAL TAX LEVIED
TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSE
Visitors to Have Programs and
Badges Free and Extensive En-
tertainments Are Proposed.

DETROIT. Mich, August 4.-All ar
rangements for entertaining the Grand
Army OF the Republic. at the expense of
the Detroit taxpayers. for the forty
eighth annual encampment of the old
soldiers here August 81 to September )
have been completed, with the prospect
that the veterans will find themselves
the object of unusual attentions on every
hand.
For several months since the city eoun-
Gil acquiesced in a proposal by May or
Oscar B. Marx that special tax levy
OF cents on every thousand dollars of
taxable property be made to raise funds
for entertaining the veterans. a score OF
committees. made up of 30 leading bust
ness and professional men of the city.
have been at work, with headquarters in
the mayors Office. working out details
of entertainment.
The souvenir programs and badges,
which alone represent an outlay of over
$4,000, will be handed over to the vet
Grams gratis. To avoid the appearance
of operating on a profit-maAing basis
the city has refused all advertising
propositions. both requests for adver-
Using space in the programs and all ap-
plications for permits to sell souvenirs
or souvenir badges of any kind.
NO HAWKES. on streets.
1t will probably be the first time in
history of the encampments that the
Grand Army of the Republic men have
been free from bombardment by street
hawkers.
The plan of street decorations includes
large white columns. twenty-five feet
high. in the heart of the city. Large oil
paintings of men of valor will be sus-
pended between these columns. and the
whole will be ornamented with flags and
electric lights. Throughout the city local
commercial organizations will help to
carry out an elaborate scheme of deco
ration and illumination.
Notwithstanding that the ranks of the
c. A. + are thinning rapidly each year.
the reception committee is preparing to
welcome one of the largest gatherings
in the history Of the organization. Ohio.
Indiana. Illinois and Michigan will be
almost fully represented, each with sew
cral thousand veterans.
1t is estimated that in all there will be
some 5000 visitors. In addition to the
g. A. r. gathering there will be the an
nual encampment of the Ladies' of the
G. A. r. the Wonan's Relief Corps. the
Daughters of Veterans, the Association
of Army Nurses of the Civil War. the
Sons Of Veterans, the Sons of Veterans
Auxiliary, the National Association of
Naval Veterans and the National Asso-
CldtlOn OF L mon EA-fllSOiSTS VI w dr.
Encampment Program.
The commander-in-chief Washington
Gardner Of Albion, Mich, who repre-
scented Michigan in Congress for twelve
years. will establish headquarters here
Saturday, the 18th. Patriotic services
will be held in Detroit churches Sunday,
with addresses by comrades of the G.
A. r.
Monday the encampment will be fully
established. The day will be largely
given over to business meetings. All of
the old soldiers and their companions
will be treated to lake excursions Tues
Gay afternoon. All of the available
steamers have been chartered for this
trip, and it is said the feet of pleasure
transports will be the largest ever gath
cred in the great lakes.
Gov Ferris will welcome the soldiers
at the first big meeting Tuesday night.
The parade day is Wednesday, with
line of march not over one and half
miles in length over asphalt pavements.
The day Of the long parade for G. A. r.
men is gone. The city has made provi-
sion for several hundred automobiles Cor
the manned and disabled veterans who
are unable to march. Every precaution
VIII be taken 10 care for the aged who
overreach their strength in trying TO
walk.
The parade will be headed by the
mounted officers escorted by the Detroit
post and the line will be made up OF
All the sorty-four state departments rep
resented in the order OF the departments
seniority.