Evening star., 1915-03-19
TWO ACRES OF SPACE
FOR GAR. MEETINGS
Committee Finds Old Census Office
Adapted to Use for National
Encampment.
President Wilson Expected to Make
Welcoming Address at Reception
to Veterans September 2S.

Delighted with Its adaptabiiity for
the purpose is the verdict OF COM
mittee of investigation which yester-
day inspected the old census building
with reference to its suitability for use
in a variety of ways during the coming
national encampmeut of the q. A. X.
The committee of inspection consisted
of Capt. Thomas Il. Mckee. chairman II
of the subcommittee on tents ana
grounds Of the reunion committee: COL
John McElroy. chairman of the re-
| union committee: W. Y. Cos. col.
Charles {. Royce. Col. George IL. Slay-
| baugh and Col. John l.. Glenn.
The building contains more than two
acres Of space, with rooms suitably di-
vided for the holding of all of tie
great meetings. the campflres and 9th +
smaller gatherings incidental to the
iregimental reunions. II belongs to the
estate of the late Matthew 6. Emery.
and it is felt by those interested that ~
can be secured on exceptionally easy
terms unless sold lease prior TO
the encampment.
| Welcoming Reception Big Feature.
| What is perhaps the great event for
| the citizens of Washington in coun.c-
! tion with the encampfuent wall ne iIe
welcoming reception, To he held 'ne
evening of Tuesday. september =. NJ
this reception it is customary to invite
the governor OF the state. mayor oi the
city. president of the council. chairman
| of the executive committee ana otnei
prominent men to welcome formally
the visiting veterans. These greetings
are responded to by the commandment. .
| chief of the q. A. r.. the national
presidents of the WomanS Relief Corps
| and of the Ladies of the q. A. r.. the
| communicative chief of the Sons or
Veterans. and others. 1t is hoped that
! this occasion will be unique by rea-
| son of the presence of the President OF
| the United States. who will be asked
! to express the welcome of the whole
nation.
! Invitations are also to be sent to the
1 Vice President, mem berS of the ca binet
and the Speaker of the House. The
Commissioners of the District, together
with William F. GUIDE, chairman OF
| the executive committee, are to well
4 come the veterans behalf of the
citizens, and the commander of the
| Department of the Potomac on behalf
| Of the veterans of Washington. The
1 Marine Band will be present and there
! well as vocal music. 1t is to be an
| open meeting and all citizens viii be
| welcomed.
| Boost for Memorial Bridge.
| B. II. Warner, treasurer of the en-
campment held here in 1892 and chair
man of the executive committee of tina t
of 1902, has made the suggestion that
| a new impulse can be given the move
ment for the memorial bridge crossing
! the Potomac to Arlington al the COM
ing encampment. Mr. Warmers idea
was set forth in a letter recently re-
ceived by William F. Gude, chairman
of the citizens committee. and which
| Is. in part, as follows:
| James F. McHugh. at that time sec
| retary of the Stonecutters' Union OF
| the District of Columbia. in 1902 fur
| nished large granite block, finely cut
and intended for the corner stone of
! this memorial bridge. 1t was present
ed during the encampment with due
| ceremonies Oh the White Lot in the
rear of the White House and was re-
| ceiyed by Elihu Root, then Secretary oi
State. on behalf of the government.
! After the adjournment of the en-
| campment it was taken to the govern
ment-owned lot between Pennsylvania
avenue and the Belasco Theater and
| has since remained there. There is an
inscription upon it which tells its own
story. Although now in the possession
of the government. it is. in one way.
an inheritance of the G. \. r.
MI. Warmers Suggestion.
II would suggest that the stone be
raised a little higher and that a large
sign describing the purpose for which
it was furnished be placed in u promi-
nent position thereon, and that it be
surrounded with flags. As you know,
| many efforts have been made to secure
legislation providing for the memorial
project. but without success. In my
| opinion, 4 new impulse to the move
ment can be given at the coming en-
| campment- l am sure all sections are
now ready to support this project
which is needed as a more convenient
| method of reaching the country's naval
and military metropolis. The display
| of the stone would involve no expense.
Mr.. GUIDE has replied to the effect that
| he feels there should be something
done along this line, and that he Will
! take pleasure in bringing the sugges-
| tion up at the next meeting of the
| executive committee Of the citizens
| committee.
| Already requests for accommodations
| for the encampment are coming in.
| Thomas Grant. secretary of the Cham
| ber of Commerce, today received from
| Sioux Falls, :. D., Il communication
from C. A. b. Fox, department comman-
! der of that state. request to look up
| a suite of rooms with sleeping space
| for twelve persons, connecting with a
reception room desired to be twenty
| feet Suuare