The Washington herald., 1917-06-06
VETERANS QUIT
reunion CAMP
Cannot Accommodate Visii-
tors to City Because of
War Conditions.

Washington faced q crisis late yes
tsrday in the problem of housing and
sfesdinE the thousands OF Confederate
veterans who have poured through the
city's gates within the past forty
eight hours for their twenty-seventh
annual convention.
Every train leaving Washington for
the South Is heavily loaded with re-
turning veterans who have failed to
obtain quarters Of any sort in the
Capital. Many aged men slept on
hard doors all of Monday night,
war eonditions have simply made
able John Dolph. chairman sof the
committee on arrangements. has is
sued second appeal to citizens to
take in the mon in gray
The situation Is unprecedented In the
history Of the city. Every big down.
weeks IN advance, These hostelries
are crowded with oUt-of-toWn men
Who are cooperating with the gov
ornment on war work.
Washing gtoD. as a city. Is simply too
small for the thousands who are de-
manding quarters. Within the next
six months IT Is believed that the
population Of the city will be increased
by many thousands.
With the spirit OF military duty In
their minds, the Confederate veterans
Yesterday plunged into their biggest
was stil cool In q gigantic meeting
At the Arcade, Fourteenth street and
Park road northwest, yesterday morn
irg. which was marked by scenes of
the widest confusion and disorder.
due-to the inability OF hundreds to
gain admittance to the hall, Presi-
dent Wilson told the assembled vet
Grams that the South had given ample
evidence Of its loyalty to the nation,
that all sectional strife had been
swept away. and that the day was
one Of renewal of the spirit OF
4 united America.
- CIEmor to See President.
Two hours before the President ar
rived at the Arcade, Commissioner
BFownlow ordered the doors Of the
hall closed. The crowd on the out
side clamored and demanded admit
lance, and the Jam inside was So
dense that fears we're entertained for
the safety Of the building.
Police reserves were ordered out to
keep the crowds quiet, but the scGls
was one Of the utmost confusion. AL
this occurred at 10 O'Clock. At :
o'clock yesterday afternoon. there was
a meeting Of Confederate veterans at
the Willard. at which Gov. James B.
McCreery. OF Kentucky. spoke and
there was a presentation Of the spon-
sors and maids Of honor.
Then came a noon-time lull in the
proceedings. and at SD O'Clock there
was a reception 10 the veterans at
the Pension ONCE, where James Tan
ner, Of the G. A. r., made the ad-
dress Of welcome ard Col. Robert E.
Lee made the response.
A hour later. at $50. a reception
to Miss Mary Curtis Lee. sponsor for
rae south, and the Stats SPONSORS and
liSsi.is 81 honor was held az The ress-
OF the Secretary os the Navy. This
lasted Until Z p. m.
LaSE night. about s o'clock, hun
-dreds of the veterans pfodded to the
LIBRARY OF CohgresS, where officeTs
Of the Southern Relief Society acted
as guides IN showing the beauties Of
the graf building Then, at $50, there
began three simultaneous balls for the
veterans az the Arcade, the Raleigh
and the POHhatan- These balls were
given by the Sons OF Veterans and
were the first big SOCIAL events given
Tor the visiting soldiers.
Crowd Beyond Expectations.
Such was the days program, but II
tells little of the streets lined with
veterans. Of the old boys who found
the sprightly mint-juleD which has
disappeared from their States, OF the
old man who refused to allow the
negro chauffeur. who had knocked him
down with an automobile, to take him
20 the hospital. and hundreds OF SINH
lar scenes.
1t is a sreater gathering. this re-.
CONTINUED on FACE SEVEN.