The chronicle=news., 1914-09-03
new COMMANDER
G. 4. R. H0N0RS
NATIONS BANNER

70 Detroit. Mich, Sept. "a plea for
the perpetuation of The Star Span
gled Banner as the American an
them, without alloy. was made fer
vently by Washington Gardner,
commander-in-chief OF the Grand
Army of the Republic. In his address
before the iSth national encampment
of that organization here today
He urged the old soldiers to join in
Il movement to pay special honor to
this song. and to discountcnance the
practice of playing 1t In medley with
such "flippant and comparatively
meaningless ditties as Yankee
Doodle" and when Johnnie Comes
Marching Home" He said there
was something inspiring in an audi
ence rising and standing uncovered
at the majestic strains of the nation
al anthem, but it was "incongruous
bordering even on the ludicrous Tor
the band to strike up some other ma
tiOnal air in medley with this, and
to observe the audience resume sit
ting in IAN irregular. half-ashamed
manner" 1t were better not to rise
at all when the national hymn is
played in medley, he said.
A recommendation tina, permanent
headquarters for the G. A. X. be es-
tablished In Washington was anoth-
er point of his address. Chicago and
Philadelphia had been proposed. but
he preferred the national capital. and
thought that IL possible the necessary
space should be secured In govern
ment building where the officers
could keep closely in touch with mat
tiers before congress which affected
the Grand Army.
A standing committee of seven
persons, with the commander-in-chi
and adjutant general of the G. A. H..
as ex-officio members. he also
recommended principally for the pur-
pose of taking charge Of all legisla-
tion which had the endorsement of
the order. He said that such COM
mittee would concentrate RESPONSE
bility. reduce expense an give prom
Use of better results"
"As It is now." he continued. "the
committees having to do with pro-
posed legislation. number, in the az
gregate, nearly ten times seven and
are widely separated. 1t Is difficult
to have a general meeting. safe at
large expense to the order or to the
Individuals. Under the present ar
arrangement. responsibility Is too wide
ly diffused and members too rarely
brought together for consultation
and concert of action.
| He urged that no change be made
in the method of management of the
soldiers homes which are scattered
throughout the United States. Con-
cerning the matter, he said:
Not a single complaint has come
to the knowledge of the commander
in-chief 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 to the ap-
prOval CT 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 directed toward our comrades in
their declining years. This seems to
be a case where the old rule, Let
well enough alone will apply. This
cncnmDment, in my judgment. should
say to congress that the Grand Army
of the Republic is decidedly against
the proposed change"
The present membership, in good
standing, was reported as 17l,335.
During the year the roll was cur
tailed by the wealth of Hist old
soldiers. but notwithstanding this
large figure. it is 81 less than died
during the preceding year.