Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-02

ing the time OF the encampment, Dut
when it was learned that the progress
of the construction of the memorial
would permit the laying of the stone
while" the veterans are in Washington.
those taking an active part in the
plans for the gathering here imme :
diately set about to ascertain if this
feature could be arranged. Col. John
McElroy announced today that those
memorial were in favor of the plan
and that steps would be taken to be in
readiness for the event.
G. A. R. Chief to Preside.
The COMMUNICATIVE chief of the G. A
R. will otficiate at the ceremonies. In
addition to welding the trowel to be
used in setting the stone. he also will
laying ceremony are yet to be ar
ranged. 1t is believed the sessions of
the encampment will be concluded by
noon October 1. Should the business
of the encampment be unfinished at
that time, however, a recess will be
taken in order to allow all the dele
gates and other veterans to attend the
corner stone laying exercises.
Tuesday afternoon, September IS, a
pilgrimage will be made to Arlington
by veterans who served with the troops
engaged in the battle at Fort Stevens
to lay wreathS on the grave of Gen.
Wright, their commander at that time.
Tuesday forenoon campfire meeting is
to be held at Fort Stevens, the FORTH
cation near Brightwood, where Presi-
dent Lincoln watched the unsuccessful
efforts of the Confederates to enter
Washington. The veterans are to
inc nd = MT
They are to gather at the grave of
Gen. Wright at o'clock in the after
noon.
D. c. Guard to Participate.
1t was definitely announced today
that the District National Guard would
participate in the parade which is to
commemorate the hftieth anniversary
of the grand review of 1865. Gen. Will
liam Z. Harvey notified Col. John Nc
Elroy that he expects to have about
1850 men in line.
A movement has been started to
have the churches in Washington. 6en
der their pulpits to ministers included
in the G. A. X. ranks who will be in
Washington September 26. There are
many ministers in the veterans ranks
1t was stated today that there is a
growing sentiment in G. A. r. circles to
have the national headquarters OF the
organization permanently established
in Washington, this city being consid-
cred most appropriate for such an
office. Under the present plan the ma
tional headquarters follows the COM
mander-in-c chief In his home city is
located the national headquarters dur
ing the time he serves in office. Those
who advocate the plan for a permanent
Headquarters say there are many rea-
sons why Washington should be select
ed. The chief reason Is because the
fact that the pension office and War
Department are here and the civil war
records which they contain would be
close at hand.
Executive Committee Meeting.
Chairman GUIDE of the citizens G. A.
R. committee stated today that the ex-
ecutive committee probably would be
called together at noon next Tuesday.
Secretary Grant reported that letters
concerning hotel and boarding house
reservations are being received in
large numbers. The first mail today
brought in about twenty letters solicit
ing information concerning quarters
for the encampment.
The program for the encampment
week is rapidly being put into shape.
No big events are scheduled for Mon
day. The day is to be spent in regis
tering at the headquarters to be estab-
lished in the Emery building and in re-
newing acquaintances. Tuesday there
will be the gathering at Fort stevens
and visit to the tomb of Gen. Wright
in Arlington. Members of the t. S
Signal Corps Veterans Association Will
spend the day on Georgetown Heights
racticing wig-waggng. The big re-
ception to the visitors will be held at
the Emery building Tuesday night.
Pre- ident Wilson, members of the cab
met and Supreme Court and other
prominent government officials are ex-
pected to be present.
Reception to Follow Parade.
The parade will be Wednesday, and
that night the communicative chief OF
the e. A. K. and the members of his
staff will be rendered a reception in
the rotunda of the Capitol by Mrs
Sarah z. Fulton, national president of
the woman's Relief Corps.
The business sessions of the encamp-
ment will start Thursday morning, and
the veterans will attend the corner
stone laying ceremonies at the me-
mortal amphitheater at Arlington the
following afternoon. All during the
their camptires. A dog watch will be
held by the veteran sailors. The date
of this feature of the program has not
yet been set.
Mrs. W. F. Andrews, chairman of the
women's citizens committee, is ar
ranging to have two trees pla nted near
the Lincoln memorial in Potomac Park
during the encampment and dedicated
to the G.. A. r. This feature is to take
the place of the reception the women's
citizens committee usually gives to the
members Of all the organization rep
resented at G. A. X. encampments. Be
cause of the inability TO obtain the use
of a building of sufficient size to ac-
commodate such a large gathering, il
has been decided to dispense with this
pIan and substitute the tree planting
exercises. 1t is planned to have one OF
the trees planted by the comma nder- in
chief of the G.. A. X. and the other b,
the national president of the Woman's
Relief Corps.
Approves Tree-Plapting idea.
Col Harris, in charge of the office ot
buildings and grounds. has given his
stamp Of approval to the tree-plantine
idea and has granted Mrs. Andrews
permission to make arrangements for
the event. The date of the tree plant.
ing has not yet been set.
Although the grounds about the me
mortal are not graded up the ceremon,
will be effective, 1t is believed. Later
when the grounds are in better shane
Palmer Dorsey. president of the De
partment of Potomac, W. n. C.. ant
Col John McElroy, acting comma ndel
of the Department of the Potomac
Grand Army of the Republic, shall su
perintend the permanent setting of tn.
two trees. Col. Harris has also granted
permission. for two bronze tablets t.