Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-27

Gus and of greater Importance politically,
we uniformly obtained a rate for our
selves and our allies of l cent a mile. but
later. our numbers and our importance
having diminished We received Scant at
tention along that line. However In 1915
when the country was engaged in q great
war and as an incident thereto the Gov
eminent took possession Of the railroad DIS
the authorities, in recognition Of the pa
trtotic efforts Of US and oLr comrades In
days gone by, conceded the Old rate to
the Grand Army and all affiliated or
CARNATIONS, to Portland, Ore. This was
repeated the next year at Columbus and
again here last year. but we soon heard
limitations that the line was to be drawn
on US this year
I'VE had received an invitation from
Portland Maine. al ideal place for the
holding Of an encampment IF We met
there, every man who had gone into the
army west of the ST Johns River, and
then followed Horace Greeley's fool adj
vice to go west young man and grow
up with the country" would have a right
to Seturn to his old home and revisit the
scenes of bis childhood. and those from
far western points, unfamiliar with New
England and its beauties. might avail
themselves Of the opportunity to see
portion of the country as TO which they
had only vague and general information,
but the New England Passerg ger Associa-
ton was obdurlte and firmly announced
its intention not to abate a penny and
so Portland. perforCe was passed by
Then we had an invitation from Spring
field, Mass. nearly as desirable for the
reasons above stated. as Portland axccpt
that the dividing line was the Connect
cut instead of the st. Johns but the
association still held firmly 10 the propc-
sttlon that from the New England line
regular rates would be required from
everybody, and so we were compelled to
give up Springfield
Somewhat belated, 7 learned by wire
on the 9th Of August, that the New
England Passenger Association had final
~ fallen into line with the other as
>ociations. which I am specially glad to
know. I would feel sore 10 think that
the New England Boys would not haze
the same opportunities Of attending the
"ncampment here as are accorded 10 the
boys from all other portions Of the
country. but in that connection ] want
10 express my regret that this action
had not been decided upon EARLIER so
that we might have had the opportunity
to hold our encampment at either Port
land or Springfield if we so desired.
DEATH LAYS HEAVY
HAND ON q. a. X.
During the past year death has laid
4 heavy hand on the Grand Army. Two
past cOmmanders-in- chief. forty-five
past department commanders the as
sistant adjUtaRt general. three members
Of the council Of administration and
y Isl or the mem Dershlp nave gone To
The little green tents where the soldiers
sleep.
And the snnbcams play and the women
Weep
Orlando 4. Somers. commander in
chief in 1917 and 1915. was laid in his
tent on the 18th Of June. lie served for
over three years in the Eighth Indiana
Cavalry, had been commander Of his post
commander Of his department and com
mander-in chief, receiving every honor
that the Grand Army could confer upon
him. As secretary and president Of the
society of the Army Of the Cumberland.
he served that organization with fidelity
and honor. The Grand Army and
especially the department to which ne
belonged viii miss him
John +. Gilman. commander in chief
i'm 1910 and 1911. was gathered to his
fathers on the Goth day Of February.
1921. lie bad tiled With distinction and
h.nor. oft c.s n h.s post ana his da-
partment. and had attained the summit
Of the ambition of a Grand Army man.
While his service was but brief in point
Of time-Second Bull Run, Antietam,