MINUTES OF MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION, HELD SEPTEMBER 27, 1915, AT HOTEL RALEIGH, WASHINGTON, D. C. The meeting was called to order Monday, September 27, 1915, at 15 p. m., Commander in Chief David J. Palmer presiding, and the following additional members present: Senior Vice Commander in Chief Conner, Adjt. Gen. Newman, Q. M. Gen. Stowits, George A. ice, William J. Patterson, James J. Healy, A. G. Hanback, Frank Sterrett, and Philip G. Woodward. Adjt. Gen. NEWMAN. I want to say to the executive committee at Comrade Stowits and myself have deviated a little from the al procedure in reports on action of the officers. It has always emed to me a ridiculous thing that the executive committee, men ho were elected by the national encampment, should report on the cers' reports and then that report should go to another committee. Our idea is that this committee that was appointed will report to this ommittee on the condition of the quartermaster's books and the adjutant general's books, and that when this executive committee ets that is final until it comes to the national encampment. Comrade STERRETT. A committee has already been appointed? Adj. Gen. NEWMAN. Appointed in advance to audit the books and report to the executive committee at this meeting. The thing in order now, I think, is the report from this auditing committee. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. Is the auditing committee ready to report? Comrade PRICE (reading): SEPTEMBER 27, 1915. We, the committee appointed to examine the accounts of the quartermaster general, find the same to be absolutely correct and the balance on hand, August 16, 1915, to be $3,383.01, as shown by the books which we have examined this day. By the committee: GEORGE A. PRICE. We, the committee, earnestly recommend that the three recommendations of the quartermaster general be adopted by the encampment: First, to transfer the interest from the permanent fund to the quartermaster general for use of the general fund; second, to make the usual annual appeal upon the order at large and auxiliaries for the Southern Memorial fund; third, that the incoming administration offer a joint resolution in the House and Senate for the printing of the Grand Army Journal, and if possible, to have it made permanent. By the committee: GEORGE A. PRICE. The report on the adjutant general's report will be submitte later. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. You have heard the report as to th quartermaster general. What will you do with it? Comrade WOODWARD. I move it be adopted. Comrade HEALY. Second the motion. (The motion was duly put, and unanimously carried.) Adjt. Gen. NEWMAN. My understanding has been that the exec tive committee heretofore, indorsed by the national encampmen have absolutely declined to allow any women in the parade. I thin that this executive committee should take some action on that, b cause there is a party here expecting to parade. The chief of sta has taken the thing in hand himself, but I think that this committe should back him up. He has carried out the order which we con sidered to be in force until changed by this committee or the nationa encampment, and he has also spoken to the chief of police to see tha they do not get in. (On motion of Comrade Healy, after a brief discussion, it wa voted that no women be allowed in the parade.) The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. Anything further? Comrade STERRETT. I have a resolution, and I suppose it is in order now to offer it, on the death of Comrade Armstrong, a member of your committee, Commander in Chief, in the beginning [reading] Whereas Capt. William H. Armstrong, past senior vice commander in chief for 22 years a member of the national council of administration, for 20 years a member of the national executive committee, having pitched his ten on the eternal camping grounds on the plains of light since our last en campment, Resolved, That his gallant services as a soldier and an officer of the Civi War, his conspicuous discharge of the obligations of civil life, his long and singular official connection with our great order, his gentleness of spirit, his amiability of character, and his devotion to all public duty highly recommend themselves to the emulation of his surviving comrades. Resolved, That these resolutions be made a part of the Journal of the Fortyninth National Encampment, and a copy of the same be forwarded by the adjutant general to his family at Indianapolis, Ind. (The motion to adopt the resolutions was seconded by Q. M. Gen. Stowits, and was carried by a unanimous rising vote.) Q. M. Gen. STOWITS. I hope that will be sent at once to Mrs. Armstrong. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. I will see that an engrossed copy is sent to her at once. What further? Comrade PATTERSON. As I remember, there was a considerable amount of unfinished business referred to this executive committee. There was some business referred to the executive committee from the council of administration at its original meeting. Adjt. Gen. NEWMAN. I was just going to say I had neglected to read the minutes of the last meeting. (Adjt. Gen. Newman then read the minutes of the meeting of the executive committee held at Detroit, Mich., August 31, 1914, found on page 293 of the Journal of the Forty-eighth Encampment.) Comrade PRICE. I move that the minutes of the meeting be approved as read. Comrade STERRETT. Second the motion. Adit. Gen. Newman then read the minutes of the meeting of the Lational council of administration held at Detroit, Mich., September à 1914. found on page 294 of the Journal of the Forty-eighth En campment.) Q. M. Gen. STOWITs. I don't see that there is any question of reference there at all. Comrade Patterson. Comrade PATTERSON. There were several matters undisposed of in the encampment referred to the national council of administration. I thought the national council had referred them to the executive committee. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. If there be no obiections or corrections, the minutes will stand approved. I hear none. The minutes are approved. What is your further pleasure? Comrade STERRETI. I have a suggestion made by Chaplain in Chief Nave of Los Angeles in reference to the appointment of a chaplain for the soldiers home at Sawtelle. Fie explained it to me and requested that we might take some action. I present his views simply for the expression of your decision as to whether or not it would be proper for us to take any action. Comrade Willis M. Sapp, Methodist minister, is a candidate for the place, and Chaplain in Chief Nave asks us to indorse his candidacy. I assured Comrade Nave I would see that he had entrance here to present the matter, but he is not here. (After a brief discussion of the matter it was moved by Q. M. Gen. Stowits and seconded by Comrade Price, that the matter be referred to a committee, of which Comrade Sterrett should be chairman, to report to the council of administration in the morning. The motion prevailed. The commander in chief appointed Comrades Healy and Price as the other members of the committee.) Adjt. Gen. NEWMAN. I do not think it is a question that the council should act on when the encampment is going to meet. I am not objecting to it, only it seems to me that when a power higher than the council is going to meet. the matter should go to them. Comrade STERRETT. We will have it brought before the encampment. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. I do not understand that our encampment makes any appointment of chaplains at soldiers' homes. We can recommend chaplains individually, or we can do it as an encampment. (At 4 p. m., on motion of Q. M. Gen. Stowits, duly seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned.) MINUTES OF MEETING OF NATIONAL COUNCIL O ADMINISTRATION, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC HELD AT HOTEL RALEIGH, WASHINGTON, D. C., TUES DAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1915-10 A. M. The national council of administration, Grand Army of the Repul lic, met in the oak room at the Hotel Raleigh, Washington, D. C Tuesday, September 28, 1915, at 10 o'clock a. m., Commander in Chie David J. Palmer presiding. In addition the following were present Senior Vice Commander in Chief William F. Conner, Dallas, Tex Junior Vice Commander in Chief Oscar A. Janes, Detroit, Mich. F. G. Sheppard, of Alabama. E. S. Godfrey, of Arizona. R. C. Packard, of Arkansas. E. T. Allen, of California and Nevada. Henry L. Beach, of Connecticut. Henry W. Hancock, of Delaware. Lyman Leighton, of Florida. George A. Price, of New York. P. H. Cummings, of North Dakota. William J. Patterson, of Pennsylvania. B. W. Bonney, of Potomac. John T. Kenyon, of Rhode Island. C. S. Blodgett, of South Dakota. Newton Hacker, of Tennessee. H. W. Nye, of Texas. H. P. Burns, of Utah. Thomas H. Duncan, of Washington and Alaska. John W. Ganes, of Wisconsin. G. W. Keene,1 senior vice department commander of Oregon. The COMMANDER IN CHIEF. Now that the roll has been called, we are ready to proceed to business. What is the pleasure of the meeting? 1 During the roll call it was stated that the member of the council from Oregon was not present, but that State had sent its senior vice department commander in his place. There being no objection, the latter was permitted to remain. |