Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-23

Encampment of the Grand army of
Of the fast thinning
ar, I'VE are now all old men and our
h age.
in peace.
at honor conferred upon me and my
may bless and keep you"
Many a moistened eye greeted that re-
mark by the head Of the Grand Army OF
the Republic.
i Continuing, he said: eve are delighted
to meet here today, In this, the capital
Of the great patriotic State of Indiana
J We have been royalty received By the
populaee and our comrades Of your beau
tiful city.
I'VE must feel thankful that we have
been spared to be present at this, the
hfty-fourth encampment Of our Organfza-
ton"
TELLS OF FIGHT
FOR PENSION BILL.
Commander Han, in discussing PEN
sfons, stated that at the last encampment
the Fuller pension bill was indorsed By
a rising vote and informed the delegates
that the bill had been favorably reported
upon by the pension committee Of the
House and placed on the calendar.
After much delay the bill was passed
early in April, 1920, becoming a law by
the Presidents signature on May 1, 1920
and this is probably the last general pen
sion law that win be passed." said Mr..
Hal1.
He predicted that a bill providing for
monthly payment OF pensions which has
been introduced in the Senate, probably
viii receive early action when that body
reconvenes Dec. l."
TT is great pleasure to me to an
nounce that the Fuller Pension Bill.
which became a law on May 1. 1920 pro-
vided for the noble band Of Civil War
nurses who now number less than one
( hundred, by increasing their pensions
from SD to $50 per month, the same as
a widows" he stated
Continuing, Mr.. Hall stated with feel
ing: I'VE remember the valiant servies
I performed by them in hospitals and
camps, and even upon the battledelds pm
uently, with self-sacrifce and without
hope OF reward
They are truly called the Angels of
Mercy" said the commander.
PAYS TRIBUTE TO
OTHER AUxILIzRIEg.
Commander Hall paid beautiful tributes
to the Woman's Relief Corps. the Ladies
OF the Grand Amy OF the Republic, ehs
Daughters Of Veterans, the Sons OF VET
erans, the Sons Of Veterans AuxiIiaSy.
/ Veterans OF Other Wars, and to the
nationwide observation of Memorial day.
feeling tribute was paid to the
memory Of Col. James D. Bell. who six
/ months after being elected commander
! 1n-chief OF the G. A. R. at the lest en-
campment. died and answered his last
roll call"
Commander Hall then became head OF
the e. a. K. by virtue OF his Office, that
Of senior vice commander-in- chief.
The matter Of railroad rates to this
/ encampment has caused Us more worry
and travel and spondence at the na-
tional headquarters this year than almost
anything else" stated the commander
! For a long time it looked as II We
would not get any reduced rates"
/ He then explained st length the amount
Of work and travel which was required
/ to obtain a oDe-cent rate to the encamp-
ment.
Commander Han gave Official recogni-
ton" to the following FOR their "splen-
did cooperation" with him during tha
past year:
/ Charles B. Wilson Of Los Angeles, Cal,
/ senior vice commander-in-c chief
! Isidore Isaacs of New York C1tH
| junior vice commander-in-chief
I Stephen l. Brown OF Knox, Ind
! surgeon general
! W. W. Gist of Cedar Falls. Iowa.
Joseph ". ONeall, Lebanon, Ohio, ad-
/ jutant general.
Cola d. R. stowits of Buffalo. N. Z
quartermaster general.
William A. Ketcham OF Indianapolis
/ judge advocate general.
Hosea w Rood, Milwaukee, national
patriotic instructor.
William s. Matthews. Columbus, Ohio.
assistant adjutant general
! J. Henry Holcomb, Philadelphia. as.
ststant quartermastsr general.
George A HOsley, Boston, chief q
staff
Thomas ]. McCo6ekey of Brooklyn
senior aide-de-eamp
THANKS MEMBERS or
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The commander also thanked the mem.
bers of the executive committee of thu
national council OF administration fol
the faithful discharge of their duties.
Hundreds of G. A. R. guests ire Ieavins
town after taking part in the big annua
parade and the accredited delegates {.
the business sessions viii not concludl
their work until tomorrow noon.
1t is conceded that William A. Ketchau
OF Indianapolis and Judge advocate gen
era1 Of the Grand Army OF the Republic
will be elected commander-fn-chief Il
| succeed Commander Hall, who retires al
acting head OF the G. a. R. at the clos,
of this encampment.
1t is explained that NJ. Ketcham hal
no opposition, as several times in tn,
past he has refused to consider elevation
TO the highest rank at the hands of hi
comrades.
The annual election of officers wiz
be held prior to adjournment Fridal
noon.
Much Of the session was devoted u
II